Whether it’s a medical device or an aerospace piece, precision is paramount. This is why more and more industries are relying on CNC machined parts for their projects. However, finding a quality supplier isn’t always easy. That’s why it’s important to do your homework to make sure you’re choosing the right vendor for the job.
The first step is evaluating your company’s machining needs and defining any minimum vendor requirements. Then, you should look for a shop that can offer your required services in a timely manner and within your budget. Once you’ve done this, ask about their engineering team. It’s best to choose a partner that has multiple internal experts to work with your engineers, both early in the design process and when changes are needed. These partners can provide valuable insight into the most cost-effective methods and help ensure the finished part will be ready for assembly.
Also, find out if they have a dedicated estimating department that can perform an in-depth tool-by-tool, operation-by-operation time study to determine how long it will take them to finish the piece. This can help them accurately estimate their staffing and equipment needs, as well as predict profitability. In addition, ask about their turnaround time and if they have any flexibility for rush jobs or change orders.
In order to verify the quality of a CNC machined part, it must be tested with advanced measuring apparatus. A good machining vendor will have these tools to test every single part before they ship it out. They will also have a QC department that reviews every finished product to make sure it meets your specifications.
Finally, be sure to look at the machining vendor’s past projects and client list. It’s always better to work with a supplier that has a lot of experience in the industry and can prove they have done a lot of work for other companies like yours. You can even request a few customer testimonials to see how satisfied other customers were with the supplier’s services.
Lastly, be sure to ask the machining vendor where they source their materials. Those with a domestic supply chain may be able to save you some money by not having to pay for freight and handling charges. This is especially true for suppliers located close to industrial centers where they can get the same quality parts at a fraction of the price. Regardless of where they source their materials, a quality machining vendor will be able to reduce the overall cost of your project by increasing production efficiency and providing a wide variety of value added services. This includes anodizing, plating, coating and annealing. All of these processes can significantly reduce the cost of your finished products without sacrificing quality. With these six considerations in mind, you can be confident that your chosen cnc machining parts supplier will provide excellent service. They will meet or exceed your expectations and deliver high quality, precision machining parts on-time and at the best possible price.