How to Machine Complex Angled Holes: Diagonal & Multi-Axis Tips
Precision Beyond the Axis
Angled or diagonal holes are a small feature with a big impact. Found in everything from manifolds and housings to lightweight structural components, they enable fluid flow, cable routing, or mechanical alignment within compact designs. Yet, for many engineers, these holes have long been a source of frustration.
Designing holes that are not perpendicular to the XYZ axes can be time-consuming and error-prone, particularly when it comes to quoting and manufacturability checks. Automated systems often flag these geometries as unmachinable, forcing engineers to redesign parts or manually communicate with suppliers.
That’s why meviy’s latest update to its Automatic Quoting (AQ) system marks such a significant shift. Following the successful releases for CNC milled parts, meviy now supports angled (diagonal) holes. This removes one of the last barriers to fully automated design-to-manufacture workflows.
Why Angled Holes Are Challenging in CNC Milling
Machining angled holes is far more complex than drilling perpendicular ones. Several factors make them difficult to produce accurately:
- Tool access and setup: The drill must align precisely with the desired entry angle, requiring tilting fixtures or multi-axis machines.
- Tool deflection: Longer tool paths increase the risk of vibration and deflection, especially in hard materials.
- Burr formation: Entry and exit points on angled surfaces tend to create uneven burrs that need additional finishing.
- Programming time: CAM toolpaths for non-orthogonal holes require extra simulation and verification.
Before Meviy’s angled hole expansion, these challenges meant many parts were rejected during automatic quoting. Engineers had to modify their designs or send manual requests — both of which added unnecessary time to the development process.
What Are Diagonal and Multi-Axis Holes?
To understand why this update matters, it helps to clarify two key machining concepts.
- Diagonal holes are holes drilled at an angle relative to a reference surface, usually within a 3-axis setup.
Multi-axis holes, by contrast, are machined using 4- or 5-axis movement, allowing the tool to tilt and orient dynamically to reach curved or compound surfaces.
These features are common in:
- Fluid manifolds and cooling systems
- Electrical connectors and jigs
- Lightweight aerospace components
- Precision housings requiring angled assembly
A well-placed diagonal hole can, for example, shorten a fluid path or improve assembly ergonomics.
Traditional Machining vs meviy’s Angled Hole Support
Below is a summary comparing conventional manufacturing approaches with meviy’s new angled hole capability.
Comparison Table – Traditional vs Meviy Angled Hole AQ System
| Aspect | Traditional CNC Process | Meviy’s Angled Hole AQ System |
|---|---|---|
| Quoting | Manual and time-consuming | Automatic recognition and instant quoting |
| Design iteration | Requires redesign if geometry is flagged unmachinable | Direct upload and automatic manufacturability check |
| Accuracy | Dependent on operator setup and tooling | AI-based geometry recognition ensures precision |
| Supported geometries | Typically limited to perpendicular holes | Recognises holes on inclined and curved surfaces |
| Supported materials | Often restricted by supplier capability | Metals and resins (excluding Bakelite and urethane) |
This difference represents a real productivity gain. Engineers can now upload parts with complex hole geometries and receive an instant quotation, without the need for manual adjustments or separate discussions.
Design Tips for Diagonal and Multi-Axis Hole Machining
While meviy’s new feature simplifies the process, good design practice remains essential. Here are a few guidelines for designing manufacturable angled holes:
- Angle selection: Avoid extreme angles; 15°–60° relative to the surface is typically optimal for tool access and stability.
- Tool clearance: Ensure adequate space around the hole for drill entry and chip evacuation.
- Tolerances: Apply strict tolerances only where functionally necessary — especially between hole-to-hole and surface-to-hole dimensions.
- Material choice: Softer materials such as aluminium or resins allow higher cutting speeds, whereas harder steels may require slower feeds and more rigid setups.
- Surface treatments: Consider how post-processing (e.g., anodising, plating) might affect dimensional accuracy at the hole edges.
These small design adjustments can improve tool life, minimise burrs, and ensure consistent results across production batches.
How meviy Simplifies Complex Hole Machining
meviy’s AI-powered Automatic Quoting (AQ) system now recognises and supports diagonal holes for CNC-milled parts, covering approximately 95% of angled hole demand.
Key Technical Specifications
- Supported materials: Steel, Aluminium, Stainless Steel, and Resins (excluding Bakelite and urethane).
- Size range: From 10×10×5 mm up to 450×250×70 mm.
- Tolerances: Configurable surface-to-hole and hole-to-hole tolerances; edge-to-hole not supported.
- Surface treatments: All existing options available (except nitriding).
- Lead times: Same as standard and express shipments; rapid service not applicable.
This upgrade removes a long-standing limitation and reinforces meviy’s goal of combining speed, flexibility, and precision in one seamless digital platform.
Conclusion
From standard perpendicular drilling to complex angled geometries, Meviy bridges the gap between design intent and manufacturability. The addition of diagonal hole machining marks another step towards a fully connected digital manufacturing ecosystem — one where engineers design freely, quote instantly, and manufacture confidently.
What is meviy
meviy is an AI-powered on-demand manufacturing platform from MISUMI. Engineers can upload 3D CAD models to receive instant quotations, manufacturability checks, and lead time estimates. The platform delivers bespoke components to exact specifications across CNC milling, CNC Turning and Sheet Metals. With no minimum order quantity, teams can order from a single part upwards. By streamlining procurement and accelerating product development, meviy enables engineers to bring designs to life faster. Its AI also supports part recognition, interactive design editing, and compatibility with a wide range of materials – making it a smart and reliable tool for modern product development. Backed by MISUMI’s quality standards, customers can expect consistent precision with every order.
FAQ
Q1: What are angled or diagonal holes in CNC milling?
A: Angled or diagonal holes are holes drilled at a specific angle to a reference surface rather than perpendicular to the XYZ axes. They are commonly used in fluid manifolds, electrical connectors, and precision housings, where angled entry improves assembly, alignment, or fluid flow. Meviy now supports these geometries automatically in its CNC milling platform.
Q2: How does Meviy simplify the machining of complex angled holes?
A: meviy’s AI-powered Automatic Quoting (AQ) system recognises angled holes on inclined and curved surfaces, allowing engineers to instantly quote parts without manual redesign or supplier coordination. The system supports metals and resins (excluding Bakelite and urethane) and covers around 95% of angled hole demand.
Q3: What materials and sizes are supported for diagonal holes on meviy?
A: Diagonal and multi-axis holes can be machined in steel, aluminium, stainless steel, and resins. The platform supports parts ranging from 10×10×5 mm up to 450×250×70 mm, with configurable surface-to-hole and hole-to-hole tolerances. Standard and express lead times apply.
Q4: Are there any limitations to meviy’s angled hole machining?
A: At launch, stepped holes and angled holes requiring MSIM processing are not supported. Edge-to-hole tolerances are also not configurable. Future updates are planned to expand coverage and further enhance manufacturability.
