Two brothers from New York transformed a pandemic-era experiment in their parents' garage into a precision manufacturing business serving technically demanding industries.
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brothers → transform → industries
Sean and James Cerven began learning CNC machining in 2020 after purchasing a Tormach PCNC 440 milling machine.
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Cerven → begin → machine
Working from their parents' garage in Poughkeepsie, they initially took on small jobs that helped them gain practical experience.
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them → work → experience
As their interest in machining developed into a long-term business ambition, they established Cerven Solutions.
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they → develop → Solutions
The company later expanded beyond its garage workshop, joined the Xometry Partner Network and invested in advanced machinery and inspection equipment.
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company → expand → machinery
Today, it produces complex, precision-machined components for the aerospace, defence, radar and satellite communications sectors.
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it → produce → sectors
How two New York brothers turned a garage experiment into a high-tech company
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turned → turn → company
During the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, mechanical engineering students James and Sean Cerven began learning about CNC machining.
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Cerven → begin → machining
The process uses computer-controlled machines to cut, drill and shape materials such as metal and plastic according to digital designs.
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process → use → designs
After purchasing a Tormach PCNC 440 milling machine, the brothers began experimenting in their parents' garage in Poughkeepsie, New York.
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brothers → purchase → Poughkeepsie
They initially received small jobs from customers, giving them an opportunity to build practical experience despite their limited background in commercial machining.
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They → receive → machining
As they became more familiar with designing and manufacturing components, the brothers realised they wanted to pursue machining professionally.
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they → become → machining
They began developing their project into Cerven Solutions, turning their technical interests into a commercial manufacturing venture.
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They → begin → venture
While looking for additional customers, the brothers discovered Xometry through a machining group on Facebook.
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brothers → look → Facebook
They contacted the company and subsequently purchased additional tooling and inspection equipment.
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They → contact → equipment
After completing a test part, they joined the Xometry Partner Network, which connected them with potential manufacturing projects.
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which → complete → projects
The company soon outgrew its garage workshop as the volume of work increased.
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volume → outgrow → work
In its February 2025 case study, Xometry reported that Cerven Solutions had completed 671 projects through the platform and generated $1.5 million in Xometry revenue.
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Solutions → report → revenue
The report also stated that the company had moved into a 3,000-square-foot workshop and was investing in additional machinery and quality-control equipment.
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company → state → machinery
Co-Founder Sean Cerven cutting bar stock to the required dimensions (Image: HVMFG)
Making precision components for specialised industries
Cerven Solutions produces precision-machined components for aerospace, defence, satellite communications and other specialised technology sectors.
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Solutions → cut → aerospace
The company lists capabilities including waveguides, split-block assemblies, RF couplers, power dividers, polarisers, radio-frequency housings, filter bodies and resonator cavities.
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company → list → waveguides
It also lists antenna structures, optical and sensor housings, thermal-management components such as cold plates and heat spreaders, along with brackets and mounting hardware.
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It → list → brackets
For aerospace and unmanned aerial systems, the company lists structural fittings, hardpoints, motor and payload mounts, fins, canards and actuation fittings.
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company → list → fittings
Its listed capabilities also include power and battery enclosures, such as module housings, sealed lids and terminal plates.
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capabilities → list → housings
These examples come from Cerven Solutions' official website, which describes the types of hardware it builds rather than identifying specific customer orders.
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it → come → orders
As Cerven Solutions expanded, the brothers invested in equipment designed to improve machining precision and production efficiency.
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brothers → expand → precision
The company's website lists a Matsuura MX-420 PC10 five-axis machining centre, FANUC RoboDrill machines and a Datron neo machining centre.
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website → list → centre
It also lists a Zeiss DuraMax coordinate measuring machine for dimensional inspection.
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It → list → inspection
Such equipment allows manufacturers to check whether finished components meet the measurements and tolerances specified in engineering designs.
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components → allow → designs
Working with challenging materials
The company works with materials including aluminium, titanium, stainless steel and high-performance plastics.
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company → work → aluminium
Its website describes capabilities involving thin walls, deep pockets, tight corners and substantial material removal.
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website → describe → walls
These machining tasks require careful control because manufacturers must maintain dimensional accuracy while cutting away material.
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manufacturers → require → material
Cerven Solutions says it has developed processes to manage challenges such as chatter, wall taper and material stress when producing complex components.
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it → say → components
The company also states that it is working towards Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC) Level 2 and is not currently certified under that standard.
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it → state → standard
Sean and James Cerven began with a CNC milling machine in their parents' garage and initially relied on small customer jobs to build experience.
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Cerven → begin → experience
As their confidence and ambitions grew, they developed the project into Cerven Solutions and explored ways to secure more manufacturing work.
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they → grow → work
The Aporia
