Tag : custom machine shop

CNC Machinist

What you can Expect from a Career in CNC Machining

At some point in his or her life, everyone has to make a decision as to what they want to be when they grow up. It is not uncommon to continue to ask oneself that question into adulthood. If you’ve ever wondered what it would be like to be a CNC machinist, we are here to lay it out for you.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, there are nearly half a million CNC machinists working in the U.S. That number is expected to stay level through at least 2026. If you’re someone who likes to get your hands dirty, to really get in there and find practical solutions to problems that perplex others, a career as a CNC machinist may be precisely what you’re looking for. If you’d rather be working outside or in a custom machine shop setting than sitting behind a desk, read on. There are a number of things about CNC machining that are likely to appeal to you.

This list represents some of what you can expect to experience as a CNC machinist:

You can expect to learn on the job. Although some CNC machinists are trained at vocational schools, community colleges, technical colleges, or through an apprenticeship program, it is still common for companies to create their own training program for the CNC machinists who will be working for them. That’s because most corporations have a very specific manner of doing things, operational procedures that are not taught in other settings. If you’re someone who gets a thrill out of learning new things, the ability to learn on the job may be of benefit to you.

You can expect to be creative. Anyone who has ever worked in manufacturing, whether they were making baseball bats or secret parts for the Pentagon, knows that things can turn a little frantic when anything goes wrong. Every company is beholden to their customers and must follow strict guidelines and delivery dates. If a part is so much as a thousandth of a centimeter off, it can spell peril for the manufacturer. That’s where you come in. CNC machinists are commonly called upon to get to the root of a problem and come up with a creative way to solve it. If you’re a person who has always enjoyed puzzles, or someone who simply likes a good mystery, this job will offer you plenty of opportunities to think creatively.

You can expect to be part of a team. Teamwork is what it’s all about in this job. People count on you and you count on them to make the most of your workday. Whether operations are running smooth as silk or the sky is falling, and upper management is losing their collective minds, CNC machinists work as a team with every other employee in the company. As a CNC machinist, you can expect people to come to you on a regular basis to ask for your opinion and expertise. In turn, you can ask someone else for help when you need it. For some, it’s the camaraderie that makes the job so enjoyable.

You can expect to be know your value. What you do as a CNC machinist is so foundational to your company’s ability to operate that your absence would present a problem. At some point in their live, most people have had a job in which they felt invisible and unimportant. Nothing could be further from the truth for a CNC machinist. Without them, a business would have no way to control quality, and would be far less likely to come up with new innovations.

You can expect to channel your inner Nikola Tesla. As a CNC machinist, you will be part problem solver and part innovator. What commonly happens in the midst of a manufacturing snafu is that innovations are born that can prevent the problem from arising again. You would be the person expected to come up with innovations that work. Everyone has to start somewhere, but the more you innovate, the more confident you become. CNC machining is a job that allows you to try new things until you come across the one that works. And really, that’s how all great inventors got their start.

You can expect to change.  Not everyone is adaptable, not everyone can shift the way they operate. Because of the nature of their jobs, CNC machinists become supremely adaptable, able to veer from the task in front of them to another when it suddenly becomes a priority. If you aren’t especially adaptable going into the job, you can expect to learn the skill out of necessity.  Adaptability is a trait that carries over into every other area of your life and will stay with you into retirement. In an ever-changing world, the ability to adapt is priceless.

You can expect your skills to be sharpened. Just as a prize fighter become stronger through sparring, your work as a CNC machinist will hone your mental skills. Each day, you will learn something new. Each frustration (and there are frustrations) will bring with it a chance to problem solve. Every level of company hierarchy that you interact with will teach you more about how a corporation works. Through this one job, you will grow intellectually and socially. If, at some point, you find yourself moving to a new company, you will find that you can use what you learned through your first experience as a CNC machinist.

You can expect to be on the cutting edge of technology. Computer Numerical Control (CNC) machines are a blend of digital and physical technologies. In this field it is computers that provide instructions to tools of the trade, such as lathes. For example, it is a CNC machine that allows for the precise shaping of raw materials like plastics or metals. Computers are used in every step of CNC machining, and as a CNC machinist you are the person who is counted upon to understand what’s going on with each step and to troubleshoot in order to keep operations running smoothly. Your computer skills and the desire to learn more are essential for success.

You can expect every day to be different. There is no typical workday for a CNC machinist, primarily because it’s impossible to predict when troubleshooting will be needed or when engineering will change plans midstream. There is very little risk of boredom in this job, a benefit for anyone with a curious mind.

Each person on this planet has a different skill set and different goals that drive them. What most have in common is a desire to spend their workdays doing something that has purpose and offers a sense of fulfillment. If you find that CNC machining sounds like something that would fulfill you, why not take a deeper dive and learn more?

blurring in motion as a concept of modern technologies in Metalworking machine with control panel CNC machine

The Keys to Successful High Speed Machining in your Machine Shop

Advancements in CNC manufacturing and industry developments in high speed machinery are just two of the factors that are driving a global CNC machines market that is expected to reach $100 Billion by the year 2025, according to a research study. This industry growth is underpinned by CNC technology that provides manufacturers with a reduction in machining errors, lower operating costs for machine shops, and lower labor costs when state-of-the-art factory automation is implemented in US manufacturing sectors across the board.

Taking Advantage of CNC Manufacturing

The key to successful high speed machining in your machine shop is directly tied to your adoption of high speed CNC machines and tooling or partnering with a machine shop Denver that delivers high speed, custom machine shop services to US manufacturers. These companies provide mills, lathes, grinders, ad routers controlled by computer CNC programming to operate at a significantly higher feed rate – and with a minimum of tool breakage.

Expect a cleaner cut with high-speed machines that operate at lower heat per piece due to the efficient manner in which metal chips are evacuated. The result is tooling that remains cooler with less vibration and a reduction in other machining forces when compared to conventional machine shop operations.

These inherent traits of CNC manufacturing will also provide 3 other major benefits to US manufacturing production – repeatability, precision, and range of materials:

  • Improved Repeatability: CNC programming and machines can reproduce a shop outcome that is unchanged for multiple pieces running at high speeds. Even more important than accuracy, repeatability means errors can be traced and compensated for, to reduce scrap and gain higher precision for intricate geometry machining.
  • Component Precision: When 3D Computer Aided Design (CAD) software is used in conjunction with CNC machines, expect components that are manufactured to exact and extremely precise specifications. Complex shapes and fine or thin parts which at one time required a Master machinist and hours of labor are now easily manufactured without error.
  • Greater Range of Materials: Aside from common manufacturing metals, CNC machining is used to produce components and products from a wide range of materials, including steel, aluminum, bronze, gold, and silver. Today, many domestic consumer products manufactured from polymers such as ABS and PTFE are machined using high speed production as well.

4 Keys to Successful High Speed Machining

Staying competitive in an increasingly fast-paced manufacturing arena means achieving better productivity from your  manufacturing automation strategies. And when it comes to high speed machine shops, the following four keys will do more to ensure success than most other factors:

Material Selection Process

Due to the high feed rates of high speed machine (HSM) processing, softer materials don’t fare as well. For the best results, tough or hardened materials provide the best results. When you consider that different materials are processed at vastly different speeds, mostly due to the preservation of the machine’s cutting tool life, the most common metals include hardened steels, stainless steel, tool steel, and titanium, and often mild steel.

CNC machines are high performing and depend upon critical attention to every detail between the cutting tool, the CNC program, and the material being cut, including:

  • spindle rpm
  • spindle power
  • high feed rates
  • tool path rates

Material properties will affect the material removal rate and how much wear and tear is being placed on the cutting tool. Companies can overcome these material selection challenges by partnering with a machine shop Denver that specializes in CNC manufacturing and custom machine shop processes. Here you will find the expertise required to overcome component material specification and cutting tool material challenges and how material will relate to depth of cut, coolant flow rate, and the type of coating for the cutting tool.

Acceptable Workpiece Geometries

While CNC machines are regularly used to process common geometries, when it comes to high speed operations, the tool geometry and tool access to all parts of the working piece are dependent on the geometry of each component. Workpiece geometry with internal or ‘hidden’ cuts will often place a limit on to the maximum depth of an undercut.

Likewise, the stiffness of the workpiece and the tool must be matched to reduce deformation and vibration during machining, otherwise the temperature increase due to cutting forces are too great for high speed applications. Consideration of workpiece geometry also includes maintaining a minimum wall thickness for a successful component that is machined using high speed CNC equipment.

The Right CNC Machinery

If your CNC machines are not rated for high speed operations, then expect broken tooling and lot’s of scrap pieces. There are a wide range of factors that are needed for high speed production to run smoothly – and these factors mut be considered when selecting a CNC machine for your machine shop. From complex mechanical parts to mold & die processes, the right CNC machinery depends on:

  • Part Complexity
  • Machining Operations
  • Operator Training
  • CNC Control System
  • Cost Per Part
  • Available Floor Space

When setting up floor space for high speed machining, operations may need to be rearranged to accommodate material flow from point-to-point for increased productivity. When selecting a machine, worker safety and chip disposal during non-stop machining operations are an integral part of operations planning.

If you are in the process of choosing a CNC machine shop Denver to drive your high speed manufacturing projects, request samples of their previous work and discuss any in-house limitations they may have which can affect how flexible they can be during production.

Partner with a US manufacturing service provider that can run a range of project sizes from big scale productions to small prototype machining with a variety of materials.

Access to Trained CNC Operators

There is no denying that there exists a shortage of skilled CNC operators in America to fulfill the needs of manufacturers for trained and experienced workers to fill new positions in high speed manufacturing. The Golden Age of skilled machinists existed during the Baby Boomer generation – and today that workforce is retiring at a record pace.

The majority of Millennials that have entered the manufacturing industry have looked to supervisory or management positions in lieu of the traditional machine shop occupations that were held by their parents.

For these reasons, companies are finding access to trained CNC operators that are experienced in the nuances of high-speed manufacturing by turning to third party or outsourced, machine shops to meet demanding production schedules.

Partner with a high speed manufacturing machine shop that specializes in custom production at a facility that features clean and organized shop floors that are technology driven. Tag Team Manufacturing is dedicated to production quality and s inspired by today’s innovations in high speed machining processes.

At Tag Team, we work closely with your engineers to develop first-run prototypes, and we can collaborate with your product developers to deliver quality components at a competitive price with the ability to output up to 50,000 units annually.

ISO 9001

Top 10 Benefits of ISO Certification to a Custom Machine Shop

International Organization for Standardization (ISO) is an independent body that develops standards. Standards developed regulate services, products, and systems to guarantee safety, quality, and efficiency. ISO certification is essential for any machine shop. Why?

Some ISO standards govern custom machine shops. The ability to get certified gives several benefits to your business. For example, ISO 9001 sets out criteria for a company’s quality management system (QMS). ISO certification shows that your precision manufacturing company values its products and services.

Here are the top ten benefits of ISO certification to a custom machine shop.

1. Boosts Staff Morale

When business processes are well-managed and defined, employees feel more secure. They enjoy excellent job satisfaction in return. This contributes towards the success of your CNC manufacturing shop. Also, it makes your team satisfied, passionate and motivated towards achieving a common goal.

Motivated employees adhere to and carry out all processes put in place. This allows for quick identification and resolution problems and challenges at the workplace. Lots of research demonstrate the relationship between staff satisfaction and a company’s success. Motivating employees is excellent, but keeping them happy is the real deal.

It is advisable to have a complete QMS. A complete one contains documents, procedures, processes, and responsibilities in a formalized system.

For your business to thrive, it must follow QMS procedures and requirements. ISO certification also provides guidelines on employee training. For instance, CNC machinists need training to cope with ever changing technology. They also need training programs tailored to suit evolving customer needs.

With ISO certification, your business operates well when key people leave. The system implemented enhances teamwork.

2. Customer Satisfaction

Universal acceptance of ISO standards ensures that client confidence is a top priority. Leading CNC manufacturing companies enjoy consistency, efficiency, and dedication thanks to ISO.

ISO standard tracks customer satisfaction levels and reports issues and complaints. Businesses that seek and maintain ISO certification prove that they value quality assurance.

Additionally, areas important to your customers never go unnoticed. ISO certification outlines best approaches and practices based on customer needs and expectations. Manufacturing products that reduce costs and waste enables you to deliver quality products. As a result, it reinforces customer loyalty to your custom machine shop.

3. Improves Supplier Relationships

Best supplier relationships are primary to ISO certification. When followed, ISO certification processes streamline documentation and testing. In return, quality raw materials and general supplies get to your business. The process needs a rigorous evaluation of new suppliers before cutting deals. This enhances consistency on how and where your custom machine shop sources its supplies.

4. Promotes Proper Documentation

ISO standard certifications require proper documentation of business operations. Proper documentation shows any errors, changes, and discrepancies. Appropriate documentation process guarantees consistency throughout production boosting accountability.

Moreover, traceable records are available in case of substandard, non-compliant products or raw materials. This also helps you to pinpoint areas of weaknesses and unaccountable staff.

5. Improves Processes

ISO certification helps you manage reviews, audit processes, and improvement processes based on data. To improve business processes, careful planning and implementation based on facts obtained is crucial. Such data comes from system analysis and documentation. As a result, it helps you to make informed decisions on your business.

Streamlining business processes reduces unnecessary paperwork. Through improved processes, you focus on what’s important- innovation, enhanced growth, happy employees and profitability.

6. Improves Efficiency

ISO certification determines the requirements necessary for a company to source quality management system certification. First, a machine shop must enhance customer satisfaction through efficient and extensive application of management systems. The application features the guarantee of conformity to customer relations and applicable regulatory requirements. In addition, a company should adopt implementation of processes for constant improvement of the system.

Also, a machine shop in Denver has to demonstrate its capabilities to offer products and services that meet applicable regulatory and customer needs. Companies that undergo ISO 9000 QMS certification process strive to maximize quality and efficiency in their operations.

Once the company gets certified for QMS, establishment of precise processes commences. Guidelines are also put in place for all employees and CNC machinists to follow easily. That making transitions, training, and troubleshooting a breeze.

7. Increases Revenue

Several studies reveal that ISO certified companies enjoy improved financial performance and increased productivity as compared to uncertified companies. Having ISO certification for your Original Equipment Manufacturer and Denver Manufacturing business can enable you get partnerships from private and public sectors.

With regards to public sector tenders, ISO certification is a strong indication that a business is credible and well-managed. It eliminates the need for rigorous and extensive due diligence.

Majority of private sector organizations have made it a mandatory requirement for suppliers and partners to have ISO certification. Certified companies demonstrate reliability in all business aspects, professionalism and value quality work.

8. Encourages Consistency

Consistency remains a recognized foundation of ISO. All business processes from research, development, production, to shipping, are exhaustively defined, outlined, and documented. Room for error is minimized significantly. The process of making changes to a custom machine shop process is documented. It guarantees that all alterations made are well designed and executed with the best possible strategy to enhance efficiency.

ISO recommends various industries to use particular software formatting in reports, data collection, and product labelling. Consistent formatting eliminates the risks of using obsolete labels or documents.

9. Get Global recognition

The International Organization for Standardization (ISO) is wholly recognized as a global benchmark authority for quality management. When your machine shop gets ISO certified, global doors open. International recognition helps you engage international business community, partners and customers.

10. Better Management

Proper analysis and reporting are a fundamental in efficient and prosperous management of any business. The requirements and guidelines set by ISO standards help precision manufacturing businesses to seamlessly manage all their operations. Also, it helps in realizing factual approach to decision making.

For instance, ISO 9000 QMS standards elaborate clear instructions for process reviews and audits. In return, the approach assists in information gathering techniques and decision-making based on factual data from your business.

ISO certification increases the chances of a custom machine shop thriving in business. It makes your employees satisfied, clients safe and confident, and takes your business global. As the world continues becoming more globalized, the need for universal standardization becomes undisputed.

Today, it takes two to tango in business. What you produce contributes to a global business community. Are you interested in working with an ISO certified company? Get in touch with Tag Team Manufacturing.

machine shop

5 Ways Your Machine Shop is Inefficient

In order to succeed, a machine shop needs to have an edge over its competitors. Looking for inefficiencies is a great way to start, and fixing those inefficiencies can give your machine shop the edge it needs.

Early Tool Decay or Tool Failure

It’s not common for your tools to fail or break often. Finding the right tool is important, but it’s also important to prolong the life of your tools. Some machinists think that using the tools too aggressively causes them to wear out faster, but if you aren’t pushing the tool to the full potential it can cause it to decay faster in some situations. There are different types of tool failure, which can include abrasive wear, chipping, or tool fracture. Understanding your tools can help you make sure that you are minimizing downtime, as well as saving money on any replacement costs.

By being able to identify different types of tool wear, you can be ready to fix any issues quickly and help extend the life of your tools. Abrasive wear will dull the cutting edge of the tool by mechanical abrasion from the piece. If you notice this type of wear, reduce the cutting speed or use coolant. Using high efficiency milling toolpaths can also help reduce wear. Chipping can be seen by a nick on the cutting tool, or seen on the finish of the part. Excessive loads can cause chipping. Reducing feed rates can help. Thermal cracking can be seen by cracks in the tool perpendicular to the cutting edge. This is caused by extreme temperatures and can be solved by adding a proper coating to give the tool heat resistance. When a tool fractures it causes complete loss of the tool, and this can be because of a wrong coating or the wrong speeds and feeds. Make sure to adjust speeds and feeds and optimize the right coolant use, in order to avoid any hot spots that can cause fracture.

Subpar Part Finish

With a subpar part finish you are not providing your customers with the highest quality product, and it will affect your buyer seller relationships. It also will not allow you to increase prices or attract potential customers in the future. Many factors can affect part finish, which include the material, hardness, speeds and feeds your shop is running, and tool deflection. You are employing machinists and should have the highest quality tools so make sure you are getting your money’s worth of both, and your products should have a good finish.

Inefficient Coolant Usage

Coolant can be expensive and is often an expense that many machine shops forget about. Too much coolant is often applied when it’s not needed, costing a machine shop more money. Some machines have a minimum quality lubricant function that applies coolant as an aerosol, so it’s provided just enough coolant to operate efficiently while saving the amount of coolant that can be used. Sometimes it is needed to drown a piece in coolant, but oftentimes it is not and you can get away with using less coolant to save money.

Coolant can be delivered in different forms, and if you choose the wrong pressure it can lead to tool damage, which you need to avoid. When applied as air, it does not cool as efficiently as oil or water based coolants, but it is good for sensitive materials. When coolant is applied directly to plastic it can cause rapid expansion or contraction. Use mist when heat is not a major concern. When applied as a mist, both the part and the tool don’t go through more stresses. When the coolant is applied as a flood, it can be a low-pressure method that helps flush chips from the part in order to avoid chip recutting and protect your tool from damage. High-pressure application can be similar to flood coolant, but can sometimes be enough to break diameter tooling so it must be applied carefully. This method is often applied into grooves that are already built into the tool. Look at the application of coolants as well as the coolants that you are using. You may be able to use less high-performance lubricant instead of a lot of lower performance options. Coolant can also be re-used to save money. We have a great system at Tag Team Manufacturing that allows us to re-use the coolant saving time and money in our machine shop.

Not utilizing tool versatility

Many CMC cutting tools will perform multiple operations. Depending on the job, you may be able to get away with a tool you already have instead of having to go out and purchase additional tooling.

There are a number of multi-function tools you should consider having in your shop. Not only can drill mills be used for drilling and milling, but they can also be used for grooving, spotting and chamfering. This means they provide five different uses. Undercutting end mills can also be used for some slotting and contouring operations, and depending on the situation, such as clearance challenges, this can actually be the first choice. Double angle shank cutters can be referred to as the “Swiss army knife of machine,” so you know they are a versatile tool. They have six different functions that include thread milling, chamfering, back chamfering, machine v-grooves, deburring, and countersinking. Flat bottom tools, including drills and counterbores, are best used for holemaking, but they can be used for a number of different functions. These functions include thin plate drilling, cross hole drilling, angled drilling, half hole drilling, removing drill points, and straightening misaligned holes. Adjustable chamfer cutters can do more than just chamfering and can be used for beveling, deburring, and spotting.

High Machine Downtime

If your machines aren’t running, then you aren’t getting the most of them. The key to helping your machine shop reach maximum efficiency is minimizing machine downtime. You can do this in a variety of ways, such as keeping like parts together. All you would have to do is swap in and out material and the machine can use the same cutting tool. This allows you to spend less time swapping out tooling and spend more time letting the machine do its job. This requires planning to help make the machine shop more efficient.

What Should You Do?

Implementing a proactive maintenance strategy instead of a reactive maintenance strategy can help you avoid some of these issues and gain a competitive advantage. Maintaining equipment so you have less failure and less machine downtime will make sure you aren’t scrambling to figure things out. Make sure you have a system set in place for inventory management, so you are managing costs as well as handling and storage. This is especially important for lubricants that are expensive and can take up a good amount of storage.

cnc machine in action

Machine Shop 101: Top 7 Secrets To Choose Right

Selecting a CNC Machine Shop can be a daunting task with many options available. Innovative strategies are imperative to guarantee selection of a competent shop providing cutting edge technology. Usually, an Original Equipment Manufacturer has experienced evaluators that determine whether a supplier has the minimum requirements.

The team features Quality, Sourcing, and Machining personnel. Each team member represents particular facets of the business. Some Precision Manufacturing set rigorous requirements when conducting supplier evaluation.

Why choose the best machine shop Denver suppliers? 

Choosing a machine shop supplier determines the success of your company in so many ways. Some of the benefits of choosing the ideal one include:

•    Lower costs
•    Reduced scrap levels
•    Great agility
•    Smoother workflow
•    Improved forecasting
•    Reduced setting times
•    Shortened manufacturing lead times

What is the secret?

1.    Samples of Previous Work

Any shop or manufacturer can claim to make the best equipment for every industry. However, custom machine shops that are proud of their products go a notch higher and allows you to inspect their prototypes. Also, they let customers and business owners see all parts and equipment manufactured in their shop.

When customers see examples of previous work, they get a visual representation of their attention to details and craftsmanship delivered to every piece. They get to verify the quality of the end product even when the supplier is working with huge runs of 2-dimensional parts under pressure of tight deadlines.

The ideal CNC machine shop should offer samples on demand and have a command in discussions about their industries of specialization. A knowledgeable and experienced machine shop gives customers great confidence in the quality of their machines. Previous samples confirm that a supplier has honed their skills working with a plethora of materials commonly used in a particular industry.

Don’t you think high end machine shops should be able to deliver precise cuts needed to fit into customer’s specifications?

2.    Enables Project Flexibility

As you choose a custom machine shop that is conversant with crafting ideal parts for your industry, also focus on how flexible they are with particular jobs. The search for a perfect choice should not make you jump from one shop to another. Sometimes, in-house limitations relating to the types of equipment their CNC machinist can work with on their availability and your project.

The best Denver Manufacturing machine shop has in-house skilled machinists, equipment, and necessary experience to get most projects completed as quickly as possible without undermining quality. Ideal manufacturers should also be flexible in offering different size runs ranging from small prototype machining to big scale productions using assortment of materials.

3.    Incessant Improvement

Leading Custom Machine Shops always pay great attention to continuous improvement. Progressive improvements of materials, parts, and equipment produced increases value offered to customers. Some strategies used to measure improvement process include Lean, Six Sigma, Kaizen, and other techniques. Evidence of such quality improvement measuring processes ought to be readily available to customers with proven results.

4.    Offers Excellent Communication Methods

Communicating specifications for prototypes, materials, and parts in any precision machine shop should always be continuous. Alterations can arise at any time. Whenever communication between machine shops and manufactures goes limbo, doubts kick in. Dissatisfaction extends to potential clients through reviews and recommendations.

A quality machine shop focuses on these four customer communication aspects:

•    Allows customers to use their preferred communication channel that suits their operation.
•    Takes time to explain technical capabilities of various machine parts to clients.
•    Offers a contact person who is readily available to answer questions and implement alterations quickly to minimize material waste and time loss.
•    Asks relevant questions concerning customer’s project and how to enhance their job to get value for money and improve their experience.

5.    Implements Quality Control Measures

Quality is paramount for every customer irrespective of parts or equipment ordered. Therefore, every Precision Manufacturing company should create control measures that eliminate production errors in all steps of a manufacturing process. If a shop lacks documented quality control measures, it’s advisable to seek services elsewhere.

A professional Denver Manufacturing shop will be ready to talk about quality certifications such as IS0 9001 and AS9100 standards. They have extensive documentation about the equipment used to determine specification accuracy, for example, coordinate measuring machines. They elaborate what control standards are set for every part, machine, and equipment whenever rejection rate starts to rise.

The best Custom Machine Shop informs their customers about their failure rates and measures taken to reduce this rate to manageable levels.

6.    Equipment and Technology Advances Investment

A CNC shop is just as good as their machinists, staff and equipment produced. It is advisable to research on the types of software and equipment currently used to make the required prototypes and parts. Moreover, ask the shop management about other materials and equipment available in their shop.

Research on all equipment used in the production run phase, for instance, CNC Machining, Wire EDM, and Manual Machining. That information is essential since some stages in the manufacturing process may require hands-on approach for tooling prototypes. The shop should be well equipped with various software capabilities and can modify model designs upon request.

Additionally, CNC Machinists should be well qualified to handle onsite equipment and software efficiently. Their extensive knowledge of all equipment necessary for the production process and how well they use quality measuring equipment should be certified at proficient levels. Therefore, technicians should never hamper any of your bottom lines.

7.    Interact with Previous Customers

After reviewing an Original Equipment Manufacturer capabilities, communicate with previous customers. It is advisable to check reviews given by previous customers online about the shop. Questions that you may ask previous customers include:

•    What customer service got provided?
•    Did the machine shop meet expectations and how did they enhance customer experiences?
•    How long did the customers work with the machine shop?
•    Were there any defects or problems with deadlines and how did the machine shop resolved these issues?
•    Did the machine shop offer extensive information about their capabilities?
•    How were communication and modification requests handled in cases where changes were necessary?

Speaking to previous customers enables you to learn about all the procedures that the Manufacturing Shop implements to satisfy customers. Why choose blindly when you got so much time and reviews online?

The future of machining is brighter now than ever. There are many things to produce. Pressure is mounted on machine shops to play their part in increasing machine and machinist’s abilities and management to maximize flexibility and speed. Are you looking for such machine shop? Get in touch with Tag Team in Denver.