Wexmar provides CNC knurling services for turned parts that need a textured grip surface or a controlled press-fit diameter. We produce straight, diamond, and diagonal knurls on our CNC lathes and Swiss-type machines as part of the same setup that turns the rest of the part. For buyers searching for a CNC knurling machine shop or knurling near me in Central New York, our Canastota shop near Syracuse produces knurled parts from prototype through production and ships nationwide.
What knurling is
Knurling creates a pattern of ridges on a cylindrical surface. There are two main methods. Form knurling presses hardened wheels into the rotating part, displacing material to raise the pattern; it works well on softer materials and short knurl lengths. Cut knurling uses wheels that cut the pattern like a tool, removing material instead of displacing it; it places less load on the part and the machine and is often preferred on thin-walled parts, harder materials, and longer lengths. Both methods run on a CNC lathe or Swiss machine, so the knurl is concentric with the rest of the part.
Common knurl patterns
- Straight knurl: ridges parallel to the part axis, often used for press fits into plastic, aluminum, or castings, and for torque transfer
- Diamond knurl: crossing left and right diagonals, the classic grip pattern for knobs, handles, and thumb screws
- Diagonal knurl: a single helix pattern used for grip or appearance
When a buyer needs knurling
- Thumb screws, knobs, handles, and adjustment collars that must be turned by hand
- Inserts and pins pressed into plastic or soft metal housings
- Shafts that need torque transfer into a molded or cast hub
- Instrumentation and medical hardware with textured grip areas
- Tool components and fixture pins where grip matters
Wexmar machines used for knurling
Knurled parts up to 32 mm diameter commonly run on our four Maier MLK-32 Swiss-type machines with FMB bar feeders, which complete small knurled parts in one cycle. Larger knurled parts run on our Mazak Nexus QT200, Nexus 250, Nexus 100-II, 200 MS, Multiplex 6300Y, and Nexus 450-II lathes, our Doosan Lynx 2100A lathes, and the Boss 552. See our CNC turning overview and our Swiss machining page.
Typical knurl specifications
| Item | Typical capability |
|---|---|
| Patterns | Straight, diamond (male), diagonal |
| Standards | ANSI/ASME B94.6 diametral pitch knurls; metric pitch by review |
| Common pitches | Fine, medium, and coarse grades such as 96, 80, 64, and 48 DP |
| Knurled diameter tolerance (press fit) | ±0.002 in typical; tighter by review with cut knurling |
| Concentricity of knurl to turned datum | 0.002 in typical |
| Methods | Form (displacement) or cut knurling, chosen per part |
Values are typical. Form knurling raises the diameter above the blank size, so for press-fit knurls we size the pre-knurl diameter to hit the finished outside diameter on the print.
Specifying a knurl on your drawing
The most useful knurl callouts include the pattern, the pitch, the finished diameter before and after knurling, the knurl length, and whether chamfers are required at the ends. If the drawing only says "knurl" or "medium diamond knurl", we will propose a standard pitch that suits the diameter and confirm it with you before production.
Materials suited to knurling
Aluminum, brass, bronze, copper, free-machining carbon steels, and 303 stainless knurl cleanly with form tools. Harder materials, 316 and PH stainless, titanium, and nickel alloys such as Inconel and Monel are better suited to cut knurling because displacement loads rise quickly. Engineered plastics can be knurled but need care with pitch selection and heat.
Quantity fit
Knurling adds little time when it is part of the turning cycle, so it is economical from prototypes through high-volume production. Bar-fed Swiss machines are especially efficient for small knurled parts in large quantities, and lights-out capability supports long runs.
Inspection deliverables
Knurled diameters are measured with calibrated micrometers, and pattern quality is checked visually and on the Mitsubishi optical comparator. We provide dimensional reports, AS9102-format first articles, material certifications, and heat-lot traceability on request. See inspection and quality.
Getting a quote
Include the knurl pattern, pitch, length, and finished diameter. You can upload a drawing for an instant estimate, and a human estimator confirms every quote. Call (315) 400-2654 or email ron@backwell.com, Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. Eastern.