When you think of CNC machining, you probably think of precision machining. complex parts. Repeatability. speed.
However, do you consider engineering expertise?
you should! An incredible value of working with the right CNC shop is the engineering that drives the entire manufacturing process. From design to packaging, you deserve and benefit from a complete CNC engineering service.
A strong engineering team on the machine shop side ensures that CNC machining projects are done right - the first time and every time. Of course, the thorough engineering impresses the client. But more importantly, it results in parts that consistently meet or exceed specs.
Design from experience. Cooperation is successful.
OEMs in manufacturing are under pressure to find the right parts quickly. For CNC machining professionals, this often means providing CNC engineering expertise without spending time analyzing and testing multiple options. In other words, know how to design and build something that works the first time.
There is no substitute for personal experience. Most CNC engineers start out as CNC operators and develop their careers from there. With back pocket production experience, engineers can create designs that optimize loading capacity, driving processes with built-in efficiencies. Partners like this - with experienced engineers who place a strong emphasis on error proofing and powerful tools - often produce great results.
Design the entire manufacturing process
Yes, high-end CNC engineering services include understanding and handling the little details that can derail a project. They also include viewing the entire manufacturing process from concept to construction.
True experts - teams of engineers from work fixtures to final packaging - influence every step of the process. Some specialize in tooling, some design fixtures, and some program CNC machines.
CNC Engineering Services
Fixture Design
Fixture Manufacturing: Machining and Assembly
Tooling
programming
processing
Bale
Additional Specialty Engineering: Stress Testing, Assembly, Automation
These competencies and proven processes get the job done right on time. Once the project is handed over from the sales team, the ball quickly goes into a design process similar to this:
Engineering Design Process
Jobs are awarded.
Projects and schedules are entered into an enterprise resource planning (ERP) system and communicated to new work teams.
Start program iterations and assign tasks, from engineering design to quality process.
Create process routes, including selecting work centers and scheduling.
Design work is complete. Quality teams work in parallel.
Hold Advanced Product Quality Planning (APQP) meeting to review design and process and review all details.
Project is released to production. CNC programmers and tool engineers work closely with the production department to ensure that each project runs smoothly.
Sometimes, for large partner projects, the engineering team works with the sales team early to review prints, create concepts, and make machine recommendations. Additionally, the engineering team worked closely with the foundry to sort out the details.
Go all out for quality
Some CNC engineering services may seem like overkill at first, but that's what sets a great CNC machining partner apart. For example, a shop might use hydraulics on fixtures for consistent automated workholding. Hydraulic components add cost, but their speed and repeatability are far superior to manual workholding, so they are worthwhile for long-term, high-quality, and consistent production.
Another example: Many processes have error-proofing built in. Whenever possible, clamps are included to prevent misassembly, which means they are designed to interfere with parts that are misplaced, so they cannot be clamped. Probing is used when parts are too symmetrical to prevent mechanical misassembly. Probing increases machine cycle time, but it provides precise measurements to ensure parts are in the correct orientation.
Going "all in" on quality also includes providing key documentation for all production processes. What is covered? Setup, loading, deburring, stress testing and packing instructions help ensure that any operator, regardless of experience, can run the job correctly and efficiently. In addition to production, some shops design CMM fixtures for each part to ensure repeatability.