How High-Tech Engineering Companies Can Save Manufacturing Costs
Operating a multi-process machining facility offers regular opportunity to manufacture world-class components for leading high-tech industries, innovative projects, scientific wonders and technological breakthroughs. Maintaining strong relationships with long-term, market-leading clients is reliant on keeping customer satisfaction, top priority. But how is this achieved?
Multi-Process Machining & Quality Management Systems
Quality management systems (QMS) are pivotal to maintaining high quality manufacturing during any multi-process machining process. Certification such as ISO 9001 and AS9100 (currently in revision C) offer stringent & concise guidelines, in order to observe critical tolerances and remove all opportunity or indeed, possibility for human error. As each operation is initiated and completed, and each human-intervention takes place, integrity of the work-piece should be observed and tested using state-of-the-art inspection facilities, measuring and inspecting from an array of differing perspectives. Inspection technology such as HD video inspection, CMM coordinate measurement, microscopic inspection and other contemporary quality inspection equipment should be implemented to examine components to the finest detail.
Working with Supply Chains to Support Multi-Process Machining
Memberships such as the SC21 supply chain initiative are helpful, not only for the industries they are designed to assist (SC21 being a supply chain improvement program for the defence, space, security and aerospace industries), but also to gain valuable experience working with supply chains – the principles of which can be applied across the board. These principles cut red tape, achieve consistent supply, save money, cut waste, improve delivery times and serve to reinforce customer – supplier relationships. Long term, mutually beneficial relationships are formed, maintained and bolstered with new opportunities as they arrive.
Multi-Process Machining, CAD/CAM & Production Planning
Successful operation of a multi-process machining facility is dependent on a proactive attitude from the start, initiated by communicating with the customer and implementing a highly skilled and responsive CAD/CAM department centered around the customer’s needs. CAD/CAM should work at close quarters with the customer, processing STP files & identifying potential problems in manufacture BEFORE any multi-process machining operations initiate, potentially saving waste and keeping the manufacturing on schedule.
Production planning managers harness opportunities to hone in on potential areas to machine the component leaner in terms of manufacturing costs, and/or stronger in terms of component strength & quality. This, whilst ensuring the strongest part with the highest integrity possible also saves the customer money – ensuring that errors are mitigated before machining ops initiate and strengthening customer confidence.
