What ±0.005 mm means on 5-axis vs Swiss vs gantry in China

People search “5 axis CNC manufacturer China” and “precision CNC machining China” as if one mill family held every callout. ±0.005 mm on a simultaneous 5-axis cell with a shop CMM is not the same claim as ±0.005 mm on a Swiss pin or on a 6-metre gantry. CNCVerified writes this so buyers stop asking “can you do ±0.005 mm?” Written by CNCVerified. Reviewed 19 September 2026.

Three shops, one number

5-axis and CMM

Ask which model will cut the part and which CMM will close the FAIR. Fanuc, Siemens 840D or Heidenhain on the nameplate matters more than a brochure that says high precision. Use the Machines table: travel, taper, rpm, control — copied from the builder’s official catalog.

Swiss and mill-turn

Diameter, length-to-diameter and live-tool operations dominate. Do not send a Swiss house a prismatic 5-axis housing because the listing also says turning.

Gantry and heavy mill

Quote uncertainty on travel, not on a 50 mm coupon. A plant that holds ±0.02 mm on two metres is not failing ±0.005 mm on a block. You asked the wrong process.

What to demand on the RFQ

• Machine brand, model and control that will run the job — not “we have 5-axis.”
• Whether the callout is size, position or profile, and the instrument.
• A recent, desensitized CMM report on a similar envelope, if the plant has filed one.

How to use CNCVerified before you write

Filter Directory by process and tolerance. Open Machines and name the model in the RFQ. If a listing cannot name a model, treat the tolerance line as marketing. Empty cells on our table mean the official catalog did not print the figure. We do not invent travels.

Questions buyers type into Search

Is ±0.005 mm a 5-axis spec?

Only if the model, control and CMM can close that callout on your envelope. It is not a Swiss or gantry default.

Are CNCVerified listings job shops?

No. The English cohort is CNC machine-tool builders. If you need a contract shop, say so in the RFQ notes so the packet is not mis-routed.