Why Choose a Single Shop for CNC Machining and EDM Services?
Why Choose a Single Shop for CNC Machining and EDM Services?
Many parts require a combination of CNC machining and EDM services, but only a handful of precision machine shops provide both capabilities. And among those that do offer EDM manufacturing, most offer only wire EDM.
At Micro-Tronics, we’re proud to specialize in CNC machining and a range of EDM services (wire, sinker, and small hole). Let’s explore the benefits of working with a shop like ours.
Streamline Your Workflow
Whether you’re a precision machine shop that traditionally subcontracts EDM services or an original equipment manufacturer (OEM) that outsources CNC machining and EDM, finding a shop that offers both services can optimize your workflow.
Precision machine shops
Often, precision machine shops perform CNC machining operations in-house and subcontract EDM services to a vendor like Micro-Tronics. Even shops that offer some basic wire EDM capabilities often need to outsource sinker or small hole EDM services.
When shops outsource EDM work, they introduce more risk into the manufacturing process and inevitably take on project management responsibilities to ensure that their team and the EDM vendor’s team are in sync.
Rather than machining the part in-house and sending it out for wire EDM services, consider finding an EDM vendor that also offers CNC machining services and having them perform both services for you. You’ll save valuable time and resources, freeing up capacity in your shop for parts requiring only CNC machining.
OEMs
OEMs also benefit from working with a full-service manufacturing partner that offers CNC machining and wire EDM services. Often, OEMs subcontract parts requiring both processes to a CNC machining vendor that then sends those parts to a second shop for EDM manufacturing, resulting in an upcharge for the OEM.
Subcontracting parts to a single shop equally skilled in both capabilities on the front end consolidates your supply chain for a more efficient and cost-effective workflow.
Achieve Superior-Quality Results
Partnering with one shop for CNC machining and EDM services not only streamlines manufacturing workflows but also ensures better-quality parts.
Workflows that involve traditional CNC machining and EDM must be coordinated carefully to ensure optimal results. Complications can arise when one shop performs mill or lathe work without a comprehensive understanding of the EDM processes that will follow.
For example, it is highly risky to attempt tight tolerance parts when using different vendors for the two processes. When you work with an engineering team with extensive knowledge in both areas, you can be confident that the two processes will complement, rather than compromise, one another and that all critical specifications will be met.
A shop with EDM and CNC machining expertise can also identify opportunities to optimize how the part is manufactured. For instance, in some cases it makes sense to create EDM features before CNC machining, an approach that only shops with both capabilities can accommodate.
Choose Micro-Tronics for Precision from Start to Finish
When transitioning parts from traditional machining to EDM, many details can get lost in translation. EDM is simply less widely understood than CNC machining. Partnering with a team with dual expertise will ensure that your parts are in excellent hands throughout the manufacturing process.
The engineering department at Micro-Tronics can seamlessly transition your parts from one process to the other to streamline your workflow, reduce risk, and deliver superior-quality parts.
When you work with our one-stop shop, you can also expect shorter lead times, lower costs, and incredible consistency from one part to the next.
Request a quote to work with our expert team today!
4 Reasons to Reshore Your Manufacturing Supply Chain
4 Reasons to Reshore Your Manufacturing Supply Chain
Why work with an American manufacturer like Micro-Tronics when a foreign supplier is offering a lower price?
Although elastomer products and other mission-critical parts may have lower upfront costs when manufactured overseas, partnering with foreign suppliers often comes with hidden costs that can affect your company’s bottom line一and your reputation.
Post-pandemic supply chain disruptions have highlighted the importance of reshoring manufacturing operations. But there are many other re
asons why working with domestic suppliers can benefit your business, no matter what’s happening on the global stage.
Simply put, reshoring your supply chain can help protect your business from risk. Here are four reasons to consider bringing your supply chain home.
1. Reliable Delivery
For the past few decades, most companies seeking manufacturing services prioritized securing the lowest possible price, which often meant outsourcing services overseas. Then COVID-19 hit and delayed deliveries resulting from global supply chain disruptions had serious financial repercussions. Now, in the wake of the pandemic, many companies are shifting from a cost-competitive mindset to a risk-competitive mindset.
At Micro-Tronics, we pride ourselves on our ability to deliver critical parts, including elastomer products and bonded seals, by the dates we’ve promised. With a cycle time that is quite competitive, we maintain a steadfast commitment to on-time delivery that shows customers they can always rely on us.
In fact, being reliable is often more important than being “fast.” Consider this scenario: an aircraft engine has over 2,000 individual parts, many of which come from different suppliers. Statistically, if that supply chain is only 95% effective, the customer can anticipate 100 late deliveries! Bringing that supply chain closer to home reduces the time and distance parts must travel to reach their destination, minimizing the risk of delays or damage.
Another way we mitigate risk and ensure reliable delivery is by completing sub-assemblies for complex products. To continue with the aircraft engine example, if we complete a sub-assembly for a customer, they receive just one assembly instead of 20 separate components, further reducing risk and increasing the likelihood that they’ll ship their aircraft engine on time.
2. Superior Quality
The closer your manufacturing supplier is to your business, the easier it is to communicate with them and ensure that they manufacture your parts according to your exacting standards. No need to deal with issues like drastically different time zones or a language barrier.
Domestic manufacturers are also more likely to possess the certifications your industry requires in the first place. In fact, when you need particular certifications, using a foreign manufacturer may simply not be an option.
If the overseas vendor or any of their subcontractors lack the required certifications, US government restrictions will prohibit the contract. Does your foreign vendor have the following certifications: ITAR Registered, Nadcap, AS9100, ISO 9001?
Micro-Tronics has a proven track record of manufacturing high-quality precision parts and adhering to stringent quality control measures. In addition, we are AS9100 certified with Nadcap certifications in elastomer seals and EDM manufacturing, so our customers always know that we一and any subcontractors we work with一are following industry standards to the letter.
3. Enhanced Intellectual Property Protection
Are you confident that the foreign manufacturer you’re considering working with will protect your intellectual property?
Unfortunately, when you send your design overseas, you may be opening your company up to IP theft or cybersecurity breaches by vendors who don’t abide by the same ethical standards as most domestic suppliers.
In fact, starting in mid-2023, the Department of Defense will only award aerospace and defense contracts to manufacturers with Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC), a rigorous standard for cybersecurity controls. While foreign manufacturers can become certified, the process is likely to take longer than for domestic shops due to the challenge of finding an approved third-party assessor overseas.
When you partner with Micro-Tronics, you can be confident that we’ll protect your valuable IP and that we’re following the latest best practices for cybersecurity.
4. Social and Environmental Awareness
There’s no two ways about it: shipping parts overseas is expensive and has a negative environmental impact. Foreign shipping requires a tremendous amount of fuel, which not only adds to the total cost of your parts but is also a significant source of greenhouse gas emissions.
If your company has expressed a commitment to planet-friendly practices, choosing a domestic supplier allows you to put your money where your mouth is by vastly reducing your supply chain’s carbon footprint. Plus, you’ll reap the benefits of lower transportation costs.
If you’re located in the same vicinity as your supplier, you may even be able to get same-day delivery, which Micro-Tronics offers to our local customers.
Micro-Tronics Is Committed to Continuous Improvement
At Micro-Tonics, we’re confident in (but never complacent about) our capabilities. We’re always looking for ways to optimize our workflows by investing in new equipment, embracing innovative automation features, and hiring additional skilled labor.
When you partner with Micro-Tronics for elastomer products or EDM manufacturing, you can rest assured that you’re working with a partner who will always have your best interests in mind.
Request a quote to work with our expert team today!