Precision machining requires specialized equipment, tools, and knowledge to manufacture products that are extremely accurate and meet very tight tolerances. When deciding which precision machine shop to work with, the choice can make all the difference between the success or failure of your project. To help you out, we’ve put together some of the top factors to think about when choosing a company to give your business to.
- Look at precision machining equipment and capabilities
- Understand their capacity and lead times
- Take into account their past work
- Check their certifications
- Consider the price
- Ask about additional services
Look at precision machining equipment and capabilities
The first things you have to consider when choosing a precision machine shop is what they can do and what type of equipment they have. For example, if you require a highly complex part or product, but the precision machining company in question uses older, less precise equipment, then they probably aren’t the best fit for you. Plus, different projects may require CNC milling, CNC turning, wire EDM, lasers, or other methods to achieve the desired shape and specifications. When looking at precision machining companies, it’s important to understand their equipment and the capabilities they provide.
At Highland Machine, we offer a variety of precision machining capabilities and have advanced equipment in our shop. For example, we use a 4Kw Mazak Nexus Fiber laser that cuts over four times faster than a traditional CO2 laser. We also recently added a SPRINT 28|8 lathe by DMG MORI and a PMI precision cutoff saw. With these and other advanced equipment, we can handle jobs that require CNC milling, CNC turning, wire EDM, and laser cutting in our machine shop.
Understand their capacity and lead times
When deciding which precision machining companies to work with, you need to take into account how many products they can produce and how long it will take them to produce them. Although a shop may state typical lead times on their website, you really need to dig a little deeper to understand the length of time that will be required for your project, especially if you have a tighter timeline that is non-negotiable. We recommend calling the company to ask them what their capacity is and what the current lead times are based on your start date. You should also look at customer reviews to see if they generally adhere to their agreed upon timelines with their clients. If the precision machining company you’re looking at doesn’t have enough capacity or availability to meet your requirements, then you’ll need to find a different one.
Take into account their past work
A key part of selecting the precision machining companies to partner with is understanding what they’ve done in the past and what kind of projects they typically handle. For instance, if the precision machine shop manufactures aerospace and automative components, then they can probably handle jobs successfully that include:
- Producing parts with extremely tight tolerances
- Delivering larger volume production runs
- Completing other aspects of your job like finishing or assembly
Knowing what the company has produced in the past will give you some critical insights into whether they have the ability to complete your project on time and on budget.
Check their certifications
It’s important to verify that your precision machining company holds certifications that are relevant for your specific industry. For example, at Highland Machine, we are ISO 9001:2015 Certified, demonstrating our commitment to quality management standards. As stated on the ISO website, “This standard is based on a number of quality management principles including a strong customer focus, the motivation and implication of top management, the process approach and continual improvement.”
Consider the price
Cost is a crucial factor to look at with any precision machining company. But you need to understand the balance between aligning the services with your budget and not compromising the quality of your product. It’s important to get quotes from multiple providers and ensure that those quotes factor in:
- Project scope
- Required manufacturing processes
- Raw material costs
- Other relevant expenses
Ask about additional services
To help your project run smoothly and avoid moving your products from vendor to vendor, it can be beneficial if your precision machining company offers complementary services. For example, at Highland Machine, we are an end-to-end operation that handles sheet metal fabrication, precision machining, design and engineering services, assembly, inventory management, and more. Plus, we complete jobs in the medical, electronic, automotive, aerospace, printing, and many other industries. Basically, if you manufacture products with metal components, we can successfully take it from start to finish.
If you are looking for a precision machine shop and a dedicated partner, then contact our team about your job today!