The last decade has seen a number of production units adopt CNC machining lathes as their tooling of choice. The global CNC machine tools market size stood at $82.5 billion in 2018. Analysts expect a project CAGR of 5.5% to reach an estimated $128.86 billion valuation by 2026.
Improved production capacity, enhanced quality, and precision manufacturing make CNC machining a solid choice for manufacturers across various industries. Selecting the right CNC machining company can be a daunting task, with several considerations that you may have to keep in mind. Here are six smart tips to help you pick the right machine shop.
1. Capacity
Before requesting the CNC machining company to take over your tooling project, you may need to verify that they have the capacity to complete the project. Assess the capabilities of the selected machine shops, digging deeper into the equipment that they use. The CNC machining specialists should be able to scale up, from prototypes to full batch machining. Finding the right company may provide a quicker project turnaround, quality products, and lower pricing options.
2. Equipment and Technological Level
The success of your CNC machine lathe project may lie in the type of equipment that the shop utilizes. You wouldn’t entrust your project to technicians with outdated tools or off-brands. Look at the equipment that the CNC machining company utilizes and whether its technology meets your tooling demands. CNC mills can cut in three dimensions, depending on the number of axes on the unit.
3. Quality Control
For precision manufacturing, you may need to find a CNC machining company with a robust quality assurance department. They ought to have a system the checks and determine the accuracy of their work. It would be best to find a machine shop that operates under acceptable standards for your industry, such as ISO certifications for aerospace machining.
4. Communication
Communicating specifications for your product go beyond your initial project order. You may need to point out changes in the machine’s works as you progress. Poor communication channels within a CNC machining company can result in misunderstandings that further delay your project. You need a shop that will quickly and efficiently address any queries you may have on the project completion date, specifications, budgetary allocations, and much more.
5. Portfolio
What makes the CNC machining provider stand out? There’s arguably no better way to assess their capabilities and service quality than going through their previous works. Find out what other clients say about them. If still in doubt, you can request a small prototype to gauge their work.
6. Expertise
You can save yourself a lot of headaches by digging deeper into the company’s details. Find out how long have they have been in business. Longevity may be a sign of good quality and customer service. Inquire if the CNC machining company can work on your preferred materials for your finished parts and components. Check out from the websites the materials that they can work with.
For All Your CNC Machining Needs
CNC machining adoption continues to increase sharply as more manufactures turn towards precision manufacturing for their production units. Finding the right machine shop is critical to your project’s success. Dexter Design can take a collaborative approach to CNC. Call us today to discuss your prototype, machining, or sub-assembly needs.
