These are demanding times. For a new product design to be considered successful today, the manufacturing process used to build it must be scrutinized as much as the product itself. Modern designers look to design for manufacturing (DFM) to reduce costs, simplify how a product is produced, reduce de

Imagine this: a manufacturing technique that’s lasted for more than 6,000 years AND is still highly valued today. That’s metal casting. More metals have been cast over time: gold around 4,000 BCE, followed by bronze and copper, and then iron around 1,000 BCE. The importance of metal casting cannot

Tedious. Exciting. Frustrating. However you think of RFQs (Requests for Quote), it’s a standard business practice that’s here to stay. In fact, it may be becoming a bigger differentiator within manufacturing than ever. An RFQ allows a supplier to share the availability and price of a part or servic

In part 1 of our series on cost-effective, on-time CNC precision machining we explored how to go from RFQ to a successful project. Today we’ll cover the ultimate measuring stick of every machining project: precision. Specifically, who contributes to — and is responsible for — the creation of a prec

Designing a new part is one thing. Manufacturing it is a different story. Talk with any customer of a CNC machine shop and you’ll likely hear an example of a part design being altered, refined, and/or improved thanks to CNC precision engineering. Of all the CNC engineering services provided by a sh

We’ve said it before, and we’ll continue to say it: Quality is everything in CNC machining. It’s the reason why manufacturers use CNC machining to produce precise parts. Of course, every CNC machine shop will say that they highly value quality and meet quality requirements. But, how do you know for

In the world of CNC machining, precise measurements are what we do, often to .001”. Yet, there’s another form of measuring going on, or at least there should be: measuring performance. Manufacturing KPIs (Key Performance Indicators) help businesses evaluate performance in order to make strategic ad

Once you understand that CNC machining parts are repeatedly machined to extreme precision, you may assume that once a shop has capabilities, they can make any CNC machined parts. Not so! To sound impressive, many CNC machine shops claim to manufacture “complex” parts, but that’s not always true. So

It’s a classic American tale of hard work and enduring success. What started as a tool and die shop in a garage has evolved into a world-class CNC precision machining operation recognized globally for its excellence. And this year, Stecker Machine Company celebrates 50 years in business. “Of c

Most CNC machine shops have been here: You win a project. You staff the right CNC operators. You receive the castings. You prepare a project setup cart. And then … an incomplete set of tools stops you before you get started. CNC machining tool availability directly impacts the bottom line. Being ab

The highly automated equipment and robots in a  CNC machine shop are impressive, and often their “flash” initially attracts customers. It’s certainly understandable, but that initial attraction rarely converts one-time customers into long-term partners. Instead, it’s the skilled CNC machine operato

At some point, we all need some help with the heavy lifting. For CNC machine shops, that can mean robots to lift, position, and pack metal castings, some weighing hundreds of pounds. It also means less physical and mental stress on employees, the most valued asset of any machine shop. Working along

Every CNC machine shop is different. No surprise, right? Yet, what telltale signs distinguish one from another? Here’s a pro tip … Study how they approach new work — from acquiring it to delivering it — throughout the organization. Some CNC machine shops are content with machining what they know an

Each CNC machine shop must have similar capabilities to other shops, right? Not at all! They do vary in their skill levels and abilities to take on complex parts. That extreme precision demands the accuracy of CNC machine tools, along with experienced operators. Let’s review 3 quick ways that you c

Solid client-vendor relationships are vital to any company’s success. So much is on the line: quality, customer service, efficiencies, low costs, supply chain integration, future growth, and much more. A poor relationship invites miscommunication, contentiousness, quality issues, and missed deadlin

Different types of CNC machines, and their various processes, handle different custom machining projects. That’s not exactly breaking news. Yet, what may be unclear is which major factors impact machine parts cost. While this article provides some answers, it also explores what your next step may b

You’re not asking for much. Reliable CNC machined parts and products that make customers happy. Simple, right? What’s not so simple is finding the right CNC machining partner. One that understands your needs, has the right people and capabilities, goes the extra mile, and keeps its pencils sharp so

According to FlexJobs’ 2023 Spring Work Insights Survey, 58% of employed workers said they’re actively trying to make a career change. Thats a huge number! Why a career change for these jobseekers? Well, #2 on a long list was “higher pay” at 48% (slightly ahead was “remote work options” at 50%).  S

What is nightmare fuel for machine shop production managers? Machine downtime. Efficiency is always the goal, so when equipment is down, it can test the sanity of even the most experienced machine shop manager. One solution is reliable production management. Upfront planning, with efficiency in min

Design changes. They are an inevitable part of manufacturing, yet they can aggravate even the most experienced parts manufacturer. Design changes are notorious for adding time, headaches, and unplanned dollars to a project. They’ve also been known to sabotage solid business relationships. But, with