Tips to Maximize Your CNC Machining Partnership
With over 17,000 machine shops in the United States alone, finding the right CNC machining partner is often a challenging task. There are various factors to consider, and in the end, you are not simply looking for a supplier, you are looking for a proven CNC machining partner, like ABS, that has 50+ years of experience and can help your business grow. But what happens after you select the right CNC machining partner and you begin to work together? Below are some tips to maximize your CNC machining partnership – a win for both OEMs and machine shops.
Clearly Communicate Part History, Application, and Tolerances
When working with your CNC machining partner, it is important to clearly communicate your part history, the application, and tolerances. Communication of incomplete information can lead to in schedule delays and higher costs – along with frustration. It is imperative that OEMs openly and thoroughly communicate with their CNC machining partner to ensure they have all the requisite details needed to manufacture the part before the work begins. ABS is your trusted CNC machining partner – and clear communication of part details upfront helps ensure the partnership is maximized.
- Part History: it is important to explain the history of the part to your supplier. For example, let your CNC machining partner know if the machined part will replace an existing product or if the part is for a new application. For new applications, your partner can work closely with you from concept to design to production to meet the requisite tolerances and specifications. For existing parts, your partner will benefit from understanding what challenges, if any, need to be resolved. Providing your CNC machining partner with the current part specs as well as the advantages and disadvantages of the existing product enables them to design a more cost-effective version that will deliver optimum performance. It is also helpful to communicate any lessons learned from prior machining experiences with this part design to avoid repeating the same issues.
- Application and Operating Conditions: it is essential to explain the application and operating conditions to your CNC machining partner – in detail. This information will enable your partner to design the most cost-effective solution for your specific needs. Environmental elements such as heat, humidity, ozone, acids, chemicals, UV light, and water can often have a detrimental effect on the function of a part; thus, CNC machining partners must account for these conditions during design. OEMs should also provide details about the desired functionality of the part such as hours of run time per day, speed, load, and if the cycles are continuous or intermittent. Clearly communicating information about the operating environment will give your partner a better understanding of how to achieve a machined part that provides maximum results in the field.
- Specifications and Critical Tolerances: OEMs must be specific when describing critical tolerances for a part. Some parts require tight tolerances in order to achieve extreme precision in the field while other parts have more flexibility on tolerance setting. Tolerances are a crucial discussion to have upfront with your CNC machining partner. Additionally, it is imperative that companies define the “right” tolerances and work with a CNC machining partner, like ABS, that has extensive expertise in tolerance setting. A recommended best practice is to only apply tolerances when necessary and to only utilize tight tolerances on critical areas of the part. Following these measures helps ensure project success and a more cost-effective solution. At ABS, we use our decades of experience to identify improvement opportunities for tolerancing – leading to significant cost savings for OEMs.
Looking to maximize the benefits of your CNC machining partnership?
Contact the professionals at ABS to learn about our state-of-the-art facilities and advanced technologies including 5-axis CNC machining.
Understand Your Priorities: Turnaround Time Versus Cost
There is a lot of truth in the old adage “you get what you pay for” and this truth is applicable to CNC machining and heavy fabrication projects. When it comes to manufacturing, there are typically 3 main drivers for OEMs: cost, schedule, and quality. Suppliers can generally deliver 2 of the 3. Since OEMs are unwilling to sacrifice quality, especially for heavy fabrications that demand longevity and performance in the field, only cost and turnaround time remain. It is important that OEMs understand whether cost or schedule is the “top priority” for a given job.
If schedule is the priority, OEMs may need to pay a bit more for a job in order to achieve the desired turnaround time, especially if the part needs to be rushed or expedited. Conversely, if cost is the priority, then a lower cost job may result in a longer lead time. When cost is the priority, some OEMs seek out machine shops overseas which typically deliver cheaper parts with longer lead times. However, this is not always the best option in the long run. For more information on this topic, read our article on the benefits of reshoring manufacturing to North America.
In the end, OEMs should work with a CNC machining partner that produces high quality parts at a reasonable cost and turnaround time – and avoid the headaches of schedule delays or poor product quality caused by choosing the cheapest option. At ABS, we strive to provide high quality parts that are competitively priced and completed per the agreed upon schedule.
It is important to note that not all machine shops have expertise in CNC machining and can create high quality heavy fabrications. These projects require specific tools, equipment, and processes as well as personnel with the right skills and expertise to handle such large structures. It is important that OEMs work with a CNC machining partner, like ABS, that has the requisite experience, facilities, and know-how to safely and successfully perform CNC machining and heavy fabrication projects. When you partner with us, we collaborate to ensure a high quality, cost-effective manufacturing solution.
Leverage the Expertise of Your CNC Machining Partner
One of the biggest benefits of a CNC machining partnership is access to loads of industry expertise. Working with a proven CNC machining partner enables companies to tap into years of know-how and expertise as well as experience with a variety of parts and industries. At ABS, we have 50+ years of CNC machining experience, creating complex and precise parts for a wide range of industries. As the customer, we encourage OEMs to ask questions and collaborate with our ABS team, especially during the design and product development stages. At ABS, we want to be your CNC machining partner, not just a machine shop you submit work to and never hear back from. Contact us today so we can get started on our partnership together.
About ABS
Established in 1971, ABS Machining has grown to become the recognized global leader in large CNC machining, fabrication, and assembly for OEMs. The key to our success has been exceptional people, unparalleled facilities, and an unwavering commitment to quality. Our people are experts in their given field. Their expertise is matched only by their passion for serving our clients. We continue to invest in our people with education programs, cross training and in our internal accredited apprenticeship center.
Our facilities are state-of-the-art and we are equipped to serve our client’s requirements in:
Our massive fleet of machines and automated welding systems has delivered solutions to the most technically challenging projects. Our commitment to maintaining unparalleled facilities is evidenced by our renowned continuous capital reinvestment initiatives. Our commitment to quality goes well beyond our ISO 9001:2015 Registration. From the inception of all programs, ABS quality professionals work closely with each customer to ensure all their unique requirements are met or exceeded. It is this commitment that has positioned ABS as a strategic supplier to leading OEMs worldwide.
Contact us today to see how we can help with your machining project, or give us a call at 1-844-227-6224.
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