How to Prioritize Quality Over Speed in a CNC Machine Shop
The longer a machine shop has been in business, the more likely they are to have experience producing parts similar to yours. Ask about past projects to get a sense of their expertise. Bates Machine & Mfg. is your goto source for CNC production.
Feed rate is how fast the CNC machine moves the cutter during a cut. This is a critical factor in determining how quickly your part can be 
made.
1. Reduce material waste
A CNC machine shop needs to have a comprehensive inventory management system in place. This includes ensuring that all tools and raw materials are easily accessible to avoid unnecessary wastes caused by excessive transportation. This can be accomplished by strategically placing all instruments and by having a good plant layout.
Other measures that reduce material waste in a CNC machine shop include separating incoming packaging materials and recycling paper and plastics. In addition, a piped-in system for recycling machine coolant can also help reduce wasted effort and water.
Sustainability has become a priority in most industries, including CNC machining. To ensure that your company works with a sustainable machine shop, check their sustainability metrics and ask about their energy-saving technologies. This can improve your overall operational efficiency and save on energy costs.
2. Reduce cycle time
A CNC machine shop’s cycle time measurement is a vital business KPI, used to create production schedules and set inventory budgets. But while reducing cycle times is a worthy goal, it’s important to prioritize quality over speed.
The best shops focus on optimizing their processes to minimize cutting cycles, rather than simply focusing on the machines themselves. This requires efficient data tracking and a strong degree of organization.
When choosing a reliable machine shop, look for credentials like ISO 9001 and ISO 2768 certifications. Also, be sure to inquire about their confidentiality and data protection policies – especially when it comes to proprietary designs. A reputable shop will sign an NDA and follow strict protocols to protect your digital files. Additionally, they will be quick to respond to inquiries and proactively communicate order status.
3. Reduce setup time
Whether it’s a small-batch or high-volume production, CNC machine shops have the tools and equipment to handle subtractive manufacturing designs. They can even produce prototypes for clients in a timely manner.
A reliable CNC machine shop will prioritize reducing internal elements of downtime, such as cleanup, tool selection, and loading blanks and parts into the machine. In addition, they’ll use digital work instructions to minimize the need for repeated manual steps to calibrate the machine.
Another factor to look for is the shop’s commitment to confidentiality and data security. A trustworthy shop will be willing to sign a non-disclosure agreement (NDA) and take extra precautions with digital files and customer information. They’ll also have stringent quality assurance protocols in place. This reduces the risk of error and ensures client satisfaction.
4. Reduce tool wear
Using advanced milling machines and computer control mechanisms, a CNC machine shop produces parts that match preprogrammed designs exactly. They can handle both low- and high-volume productions, allowing for the same level of precision regardless of the volume.
They can also provide surface finishing services such as buffing, polishing, sandblasting, and anodizing. The latter helps improve the strength, aesthetics, and other properties of the part.
When choosing a machine shop, look for one that offers CAD/CAM and CNC machining services. Also, make sure they have stringent confidentiality and data protection policies. This will protect your intellectual property and sensitive project details. Also, choose a shop with a reputation for reliability and trustworthiness. This will ensure that they follow strict quality control processes and best practices.
5. Reduce material scrap
A CNC machine shop is a specialized facility used to perform machining operations. Machine machining is the process of shaping parts through subtractive techniques from various materials, including metals, plastics, composites, and wood. Several industries depend on these facilities for their rapid on-demand manufacturing capabilities.
A machining shop that minimizes material scrap will increase operational efficiency. Scrap and rework rates can be reduced through better training, automation, and design practices. For example, a CNC shop should use automation to limit physical contact with components, particularly those that would be damaged if dropped.
You can find a reliable machine shop by evaluating several key factors, including certifications and compliance. You should also check if the shop can maintain data privacy when working with proprietary designs.