In searching online for a machining service, there are two general terms used by these companies. One is the term precision, which is typically associated with CNC (Computer Numerical Control) machining services. The other term used in production machining, which tends to indicate high volume types of machining services.
These terms are no longer so distinctive. With new technology, top companies offering precision CNC machining can also offer fast production, which means they provide OEMs with significant benefits and without the need to choose between precision, quality production and fast turnaround times.
The Basics
Companies offering production CNC machining, particularly in industries such as the oil and gas and energy sectors, as well as for aerospace and medical devices, are typically ISO 9001certified, which means they have industry approved quality control process in place and have specific internal quality control standards and processes.
While the latest in equipment and technology is a central factor in these types of production CNC machining, it is not the most critical and distinguishing difference between companies. Generally, any company offering CNC services has the equipment on hand to complete the work, but it is the expertise of the engineers and operators that make the difference.
Companies offering production CNC machining take care to hire and train their machinists, ensuring all aspects of production are maintained to industry standards and best practices.
Moving Beyond Manual Processes
To boost the production levels of CNC machining to create production machining volumes, a number of the best machining companies are moving into robotics tending practices. With robotic feeds to the machines, production can be maintained at a very high level, which results in faster turnaround time on orders.
Robotics tending of machines also means no human error and allows one operator to supervise multiple machines, adding value for OEMs using these services.
