Another industry in which tight tolerances are required for safety-critical applications, the oil and gas sector use CNC machining for precise, reliable parts such as pistons, cylinders, rods, pins, and valves.

These parts are often used in pipelines or refineries and may be required in smaller quantities to fit specific quantities. The oil and gas industry often requires corrosion-resistant machinable metals like Aluminum 5052. CNC machining does not have to be used independently of another manufacturing process. Combining it with other processes like 3D printing or metal casting can lead to superior parts and products. It is possible, for example, to CNC machine features such as holes and threads in a printed or cast part. Overall, CNC machining is a cost-effective manufacturing process for many projects, regardless of size or scope, and all the oil and gas industries use the manufacturing process to create usable final parts.