17 May Top tips for selecting the right CNC precision engineering partner for you
When the time comes for you to outsource CNC machining tasks, finding and selecting a precision engineering firm that is right for you can be a daunting task. But this doesn’t have to be the case. Simply follow our eight top tips for selecting a CNC precision engineering company and you’ll be working with the perfect partner in no time.
- Utilise online search tools
Online searches through search engines such as Google are a fast and free way of finding precision engineering companies. Use keywords to home in on a service provider with specific skills or in a certain location. For example, to find us you might search for “precision CNC machining specialist Wales”.
- Check the services they provide
Once your online search has found a selection of precision engineering companies that could be of interest, review their websites to learn about their services. They may offer more than CNC machining, in which case don’t be afraid to explore what these other services are and if they could be valuable to you. This could be alternative manufacturing techniques, laser marking or assembly services.
- Confirm they use the materials you need
Most CNC machining tasks use a small number of materials, such as steel, copper and aluminium, so be sure to check what other materials they can machine. This is so you know they are able to work with the materials you need, but also so you’re aware of what else they can work with in case you have a future need for a different material.
- Review their experience
Experienced precision engineering companies are worth their weight in gold. The greats have the knowledge required to meet almost component requirement, whether its through CNC machining or a more effective technique you haven’t considered, such as cold forming. They’ll also know how to overcome any challenge and can provide advice on areas such as design improvements and enhancing process efficiency.
- Make sure work is handled in-house
In some cases a precision engineering company may not be able to complete a task in-house, and will instead opt to outsource it. If your preference is for all works to be undertaken only in your chosen supplier’s facility, be sure to make this clear to them and request they confirm they will keep the project in-house.
- Ask for capacity and turnaround time
Considering your intention is to entrust a precision engineering company with delivering high quality components on time and on budget, it’s important that you check they have the capacity and flexibility to be able to cope with the size of your order. Turnaround time is key to this, especially if you require components quickly.
- Request references or reviews
Any company can tell you how good their service is, but a good precision engineering company can prove it. Ask them to provide references or reviews from previous or existing customers. This will enable you to have peace of mind that the company can meet your needs and deliver what it says.
- Ask for a quote and compare their costs with your budget
Each precision engineering company will quote slightly differently, so don’t assume a quote from one is a reflection on the cost of another. Once you’ve received quotes from the companies you’re considering, compare them with your budget. While low cost is often prioritised, it isn’t as important as value for money. If one company is more costly but delivers a better overall service in terms of quality and reliability, it will likely pay better in the long term to select them.
We hope you’ve found our top tips helpful. Good luck in your search for your perfect precision engineering partner!
For information on our precision CNC machining capabilities, please click here.