Are You Geared up for the Upcoming Changes in the Machining Industry?

Keeping Up with Technology

The machining industry is no stranger to adaptation and change. Over the past few decades alone newer more efficient methods and equipment have been incorporated into the industry. Those who could not or refused to adapt didn’t make it. Demand has always affected supply, meaning suppliers will always strive to satisfy all their customers needs. Naturally, more demand equals more production needs. In today’s industry manufacturers will need more efficiency without losing accuracy.

That’s where technology comes in to play. As consumer demand continues to climb and prices fall, due to heavy manufacturing competition, the machining industry is being forced to change and adapt once again. Luckily, CNC machine services have also become more affordable and easier to transition into the machining industry over the past few years. CNC stands for computer numerical control and it allows for pre-programmed software to direct movements of machines and tools. This new technology together with CAD, a computer aided design software, can be used in precision machine shops to improve productivity. For both low and high volume machining shops.

Robotics and machine automation have long been a part of the machining industry but not to this extent. People have been the main workforce in the industry, but old methods and equipment aren’t proving sufficient to keep up with the growing consumer demand. Lower pricing, although great for the customer, is hurting the industry. Companies are finding it even harder to hire quality employees, let alone pay them fair wages. Technology being the route of the cause as well as being the solution.

Advanced Affordable Equipment Helps Easy Integration

3D printing is becoming the next big thing. Big data is helping increase productivity tremendously and those who can’t get on board will surely not be able to compete. We all know integration is not easy, especially when it’s at such large a scale and new technology is never cheap. Well, time does not agree. Just like all other advancements in technology, more demand means more production. This leads to more competition resulting in lower prices for updated equipment. With price no longer being a concern the transition from a regular machine shop to a CNC machine shop becomes a bit easier.

Now add on advanced aiding software such as CAD or CAM and it gets even easier. CAD together with CNC machine services or CNC turning services can help with assembly and maintain production. CAD can design, control, and train. It allows for the processing and receiving of data, in turn allowing the software to take immediate action. These new machines can basically adjust and think for themselves making everything easier, even high volume machining.

Tech Availability, Maintenance, and Repair Cost?

There is no denying that jobs are looking for computer savvy employees now more so than ever before. Most fields of work are slowly being taken over by technology just like the machining industry. Employers need people who can understand software to be able to run all this new smart equipment. People who are trained and certified to CNC or similar technology. We no longer think brawn when we think of the machining industry, companies want smarts above all now.

This allows for more opportunity in the tech and repair field. Computer skills are all but mandatory for job security now and people are taking advantage of it. Again, the demand for CNC turning services and for CNC machining services technicians has risen which opens more jobs. More job availability means companies can hire the right person for the job at fair wages. This kind of worker used to be hard to come by or was too expensive to bring on board but not anymore.

Technology is taking over and people are aware of it. Taking full advantage of this new wave of opportunity in the workforce is a good thing for CNC machine shop employers.

So, Gear Up and Get Back On Top of the Game

For such factories as a, precision machine shop, robotics and automation systems are not strangers. The increased need for these machines and the fact that they continue to get smarter however does cause concern. The machining industry is changing whether businesses like it or not. Technological advances have made our machines and tools much more efficient. Much more relevant in our everyday lives and failing to integrate can cost more than doing so in the long run.

We, at Imaginationeering, are one agency in particular that can offer you this new service and even help in your transition. Offering a wide array of services involving new machine technology and bringing the future to you through advanced machining. Contact us to begin your journey in to the new world of technology today. Change is coming for everyone, and while some may adapt faster than others, at some point in the near future we all must adapt to thrive too. Whether it be big or small machining, CNC technology will soon be a must. So, gear up and get back on top of your game because if you haven’t integrated yet you are already falling behind.

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The Difference Between CNC Milling and Turning: Which is Better for You?

It’s no surprise that a CNC machine shop offers plenty of CNC milling services and CNC turning services along with cutting-edge techniques to batch produce your precision machine components.

However, if you’re not well-versed in CNC machining terminologies, it may lead to poor choices.

In case of a specific manufacturing requirement at a CNC milling shop or CNC turning shop, for example, it makes sense to understand the difference between CNC milling and CNC turning.

Knowing the difference can help you to make the best purchase decision for your application yielding better results and faster part creation.

To make things easier, we have compiled an entire blog to make things clearer for you to understand.

Ready? Let’s dig in!

What’s the Difference Between CNC Milling and CNC Turning?

difference between cnc milling and cnc  turning

Before you go ahead to learn what sets the two apart, let’s understand each machining operation in detail.

What is CNC Milling?

CNC milling or ‘Computer Numerical Control Milling’ is a type of machining process that uses a rotating cylindrical ad multi-point tool known as ‘Milling Cutter’ to remove material from the workpiece to produce a part of precise dimension.

The milling operation is computer controlled and is performed by dedicated CNC mills in varying directions on several axes, cutter head speed, and pressure.

Based on the requirements, machinists carry out different operations such as plain milling, face milling, side milling, angular milling, and more to bring out the exact form factor for the part.

What is CNC Turning?

CNC Turning, on the other hand, is also a type of manufacturing process. In this, the workpiece is held in a device called ‘Chuck’ and is rotated or ‘turned’ while a single-point cutting or boring tool cuts the piece to form a shape of the desired scale.

Like CNC Milling, the turning operation in CNC Turning is also computer programmed and requires minimal supervision, unlike manual lathe machines.

The Difference

While the core purpose of the two is to remove or subtract material from the workpiece, CNC milling and CNC turning differ greatly in how they operate to machine a particular part.

In cnc milling operations, the machine rotates the cutting tool while the workpiece stays stationary whereas in turning operations the workpiece is rotated while the stationary cutting tool performs the operation.

However, that’s not the only difference between the two. Both CNC Milling and Turning are used for producing different types of end parts. 

For parts that need to have complex shapes that include squares or custom ones,  CNC milling is preferred. On the other hand, for parts that require symmetrical and cylindrical shapes turning process is used.

Even though CNC Milling and CNC Turning produce completely different results they allow you to carve out patterns and details that are impossible to achieve by hand. By leveraging the power of both, you can precision machine almost any part as per your desire.

Where is CNC Milling and CNC Turning Ideally Used?

CNC milling and CNC turning ideally used

Due to the differences mentioned above, CNC Milling and CNC Turning both have different applications.

In spite of their differences, Precision CNC Milling and Precision CNC turning are utilized for creating regular as well as custom-built parts and can precision machine a wide variety of materials like plastics, metals, glass, wood, etc.

With respect to Precision CNC Milling, it is used in making anything from cabinets and furniture, woodworking to aluminum machining, prototyping, and sculpting.

Thanks to its ability to create cylindrical parts, Precision CNC Turning is best used for creating items such as bowls, crankshafts, dining room table and chair legs, gun barrels, etc.

CNC Milling and Turning is also suitable for a wide range of industries and used in everything from Aerospace to Oil & Gas and more.

What Factors Can Impact the Production of My Part?

factors can impact the production

When it comes to short-volume runs, CNC centers are best suited for parts that fall under the range of 2.5” OD. On the contrary, turning centers are ideal for parts that go an upward of 2.5” OD, though that also depends on the volume being produced.

Also, remember that dimensions play a crucial role in part turning. If your part falls under 1.25” OD it is assumed that turning might not be the best option for producing that part.

Another thing to note is that different types of CNC Centers provide different tooling options which dramatically could impact your part production. Things like the diameter limitations, power, volume, and speed specifications can also impact the overall cost of the part being made.

Final Thoughts

Well, now that you know the difference between CNC Milling Shop and CNC Turning Shop  you can safely pick the ideal method for your part manufacturing and bring out the best results.

If you’re not aware of what method works best for producing your part, you can always seek the opinion of expert machinists that can guide during each step of CNC milling and CNC turning.

The best part? You don’t even have to look for one.

We are a CNC milling Shop and CNC  turning shop based in Houston, Texas that specializes in providing excellent CNC milling services and CNC  turning services for major industries.

With our robust CNC mill Machines and CNC Turn machines, we can machine any type of part with extreme accuracy and tight tolerances.

Get in touch with us and we’ll help you manufacture your part in no time!

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Benefits of Opting For Turnkey Machining Services

As the manufacturing industry is getting more and more competitive, there is a considerable scarcity of top quality manufacturers that industries can rely on. Also, conducting every single manufacturing activity in-house can add a huge burden on a company on top of other managerial activities.

To solve this issue, many industries nowadays prefer to outsource multiple manufacturing tasks to specialized third-party manufacturing experts. However, having multiple service providers can add even more burden and uncertainties to the business.

The best way to have a third party manufacturing is to opt for a turnkey machining service. These specialized manufacturing experts provide fast manufacturing services and cover every important aspect of product manufacturing.

In this blog, we will take a look at what turnkey machining service is and why it’s an ideal manufacturing approach for your business.

Without further ado, let’s get right into it.

What is Turnkey Manufacturing?

what is turnkey manufacturing

The term “Turnkey” is derived from the idea that the product that comes out of this manufacturing process is ready to use and anyone can start using it by turning the key.

In simple terms, turnkey manufacturing service providers carry out all the essential tasks in product manufacturing such as product design, production, quality control, packing, shipping, and delivering finished products to end customers.

Turnkey machining services work as third-party manufacturing experts that undertake all aspects of production and bears the risk of the product’s quality and functionality.

The biggest strength of a turnkey manufacturing company is they are we equipped with a plethora of manufacturing tools, CNC machinery, and expert team to optimize the manufacturing process. Being well-equipped in manufacturing tools and hands-on experience in manufacturing for various clients, they provide fast machining service with top-notch results and quality control.

With that being said, let’s take a look at some of the core benefits of opting for turnkey machining services compared to in-house manufacturing.

What are the Benefits of Turnkey Manufacturing?

benefits of turnkey manufacturing

The core function of a third-party turnkey manufacturing company is to alleviate the burden of manufacturing activities on the companies.

Companies often look at turnkey projects as a separate entity on its own. They delegate the most important manufacturing tasks which companies can’t do on their own or when they want to optimize the entire production.

In this case, turnkey machining projects take care of the crucial task of bulk manufacturing, quality control, design updates, and overall production optimization by working closely with their clients.

Another benefit of choosing a turnkey manufacturing company is that you get every feature of production optimization at one spot. You don’t have to look out for a specialized product designer, prototyping agency, or a CNC workshop. Turnkey manufacturers take care of everything related to product manufacturing.

Here are some of the additional benefits of having a turnkey machining services.

  • You can opt for turnkey manufacturing in case of unpredictable breakdowns in your manufacturing firms. Skilled manufacturing companies can provide an emergency breakdown service so that your production won’t get hampered for a long period.
  • Turnkey manufacturing companies work as third-party manufacturing experts for your business. They can provide you some valuable manufacturing expertise and product design insights.
  • You can work in conjunction with turnkey machining services to maximize your production by combining your in-house manufacturing efforts.
  • Delegating the manufacturing activities to external expertise is more cost-effective than creating your manufacturing workshop from scratch, especially for a smaller business.
  • It can save you a fortune on purchasing heavy machinery, periodic maintenance, hiring qualified engineers to operate them and bear the risk of sudden shutdowns. Turnkey manufacturers carry out each of these functions with their expertise and also provide emergency machining services in case of CNC malfunction.

Which Industries Can Benefit From Turnkey Manufacturing?

industry benefits from turnkey manufacturing

Turnkey manufacturing is beneficial for every industry that requires bulk manufacturing with superior quality control. If you are a product based company, you can opt for turnkey manufacturing to streamline your business.

It is especially beneficial for smaller businesses, local product manufacturers, and young entrepreneurs as it provides cost-effective manufacturing support with emergency machining services.

For an established manufacturing firm, turnkey machining companies can boost their manufacturing quantities by fast machining services. Companies have reliable third-party support which can carry out every manufacturing activity in case of an emergency shutdown. It works as a backup manufacturing plant.

Turnkey manufacturing approach is perfect for packaging, product designing, rapid prototyping, spare parts manufacturing, product testing, and finishing activities. These are the core functions in manufacturing that you can outsource to reduce excess stress on your own company.

How to select the Right turnkey Machining Service for Your Business?

You must’ve got a clear idea of what turnkey manufacturing is and how it can benefit your business.

Now the question is, how to select the right turnkey machining company for your product?

Here are a few crucial tips for choosing the right manufacturing partner and how to make the most out of them.

  • First of all, take a look at the company portfolio to get a better idea of their fast machining services and industries they’ve worked with.
  • Choose a local manufacturing partner to reduce logistic cost and risk of damaged goods during shipment.
  • Make sure that the company is well equipped with the latest machinery and required expertise for your product needs.
  • If the company provides product design consultation and prototyping services, its a bonus.
  • Make sure that the company understands your product needs and flexible enough to make changes whenever necessary.

Final Thoughts

To sum it all up, turnkey machining services provide all-around manufacturing support to a variety of product-centric businesses. Although a bit on the pricey side, the benefits of 360-degree manufacturing support are worth the price.

Are you looking for a local turnkey manufacturing company in Houston, Texas? Well, look no further.

We are a well-equipped CNC manufacturing workshop from Houston and happy to help you with our specialized turnkey manufacturing services. We also undertake emergency machining services and fast machining services with top-notch quality control.

Just send us your queries and we’ll help you decide the right manufacturing approach for you.

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Why CNC Manufacturing is Inseparable part of Today’s Manufacturing Industry

Since its introduction in 1940, Computerized Numerical Control, or CNC Machining has become the most used tool in almost every manufacturing industry. It stands as a proud reminder of how long we’ve come in manufacturing technology.

That being said, let’s have a look at how CNC machining has become synonymous with modern-day manufacturing.

Here are the 5 qualities that make CNC machining the ultimate manufacturing tool of today’s era.

1: Automation

CNC Automation

The most striking feature of CNC machining is its automation capacity. With simple commands and data input, you can manufacture a variety of products in a short time.

CNC machines are designed to process numerical data to use electro-mechanical equipment so that they can change the shape and dimensions of the raw material. This significantly reduced the time and increased the rate of manufacturing.

Also, automation has significantly reduced human efforts as a single person can manufacture thousands of products within a day.

These machines carry out a plethora of specialized tasks like lathe, plasma and laser cutting, milling, etc. From custom parts to complete product manufacturing, CNC machines have become the most reliable bulk manufacturing tool for every industry.

For instance, the automobile industry can manufacture cars in bulk using CNC machine features like custom metal fabrication, paint coating, manufacturing supporting parts and creating a functional prototype. It also reduces the time between product designing and manufacturing the final product.

2: Accuracy

accuracy in machine manufacturing

Before CNC machining, manufacturing was mostly done by human labor which was prone to errors and miscalculations. Also, the rate at which products were getting manufactured was significantly lower. That was the main reason why CNC machining came into existence.

As it works on a pre-set computerized commands, it can work tirelessly to manufacture products in bulk with extreme accuracy.

The only time it might create a faulty product is if there are some errors in command input, or problems in the hardware itself, which can be rectified easily.

CNC machines are used in industries where precision is crucial for the product. For instance, medical equipment, automobiles, and aircraft require high precision in manufacturing to make a quality product. Any error in manufacturing can cause product malfunction that may even cost a person’s life.

All these factors make CNC machining an ideal choice for rapid manufacturing with minimal errors.

3: Customization

machine customization

CNC machines provide the ultimate customization for product dimensions and carry out a variety of tasks.

All you have to do is change a few specifications in your data input and the CNC machine will create a product with various dimensions.

These machines also come in a variety of specializations like 3D printers, custom lathe and mills, precision cutting, etc. which makes it the perfect subtractive manufacturing equipment for every machine workshop.

Industries usually need to make a few tweaks in the raw material processing to save on costs and increase the production rate. With CNC machining, you can do it without stopping the entire manufacturing process.

4: Bulk Manufacturing

bulk cnc manufacturing

As I’ve mentioned before, CNC machining has accelerated the manufacturing rate by thousandfolds. If your product requires bulk manufacturing of various parts and accessories, CNC machining is ideal for you.

Every company wants to increase its production and release products in the market as soon as possible. CNC machining gives you a first-mover advantage and creates a steady buffer of finished products.

5: Guideline for Future Technologies

Guide for Future Technologies

CNC machines are the earliest innovation that changed the entire landscape of manufacturing. It has made product manufacturing much easier, cheaper, and faster.

However, the most important thing it did is to lay a foundation and benchmark for every manufacturing equipment of the future.

We’ve seen shifting paradigms in manufacturing technology since the first industrial revolution. Technology has improved drastically in the past few decades. But the only thing that remained constant was the presence of CNC machines.

Every new manufacturing tools made in the past few decades had CNC machines as a first outline. This new product should work as good as the traditional CNC machines if not better. CNC machines have opened tremendous possibilities in production technology.

The modern CNC machines are now equipped with an interactive display with a touch screen, user-friendly interface, a higher degree of customization, and the ability to work on various products at once.

Bottom line: CNC machines have transformed the manufacturing industry and set the right path for the future of product manufacturing technologies.

Final Thoughts

To sum it all up, no matter what kind of products you manufacture, CNC machining will be the inseparable part of your manufacturing workshop.

Don’t have a CNC machine shop of your own? Well, you do now. We are among the leading CNC precision machine shop and more than happy to help all the manufacturers in Houston, Texas.

Take a look at our variety of CNC manufacturing services to find out what can we do for you.

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4 Reasons to Pick Contract Manufacturing for Small Businesses

Delegating partial or complete manufacturing to third party workshops has become common for product industries nowadays. Especially for small-to-medium-sized firms, contract manufacturing can be a great asset.

Companies have to take an important decision whether to manufacture a product or sell it, as handling both at the same time isn’t always possible.

Smaller companies have a limited pool of expertise in certain fields like marketing, product design, branding, etc.

But when it comes to manufacturing, it becomes difficult for those companies to handle production effectively and efficiently. In this case, you can outsource the manufacturing expertise to dedicated manufacturing workshops.

If you are still wondering whether it would be an ideal choice or not, then read along.

We have curated some top reasons why you should definitely choose contract manufacturing for your business.

But Before You Start

Ask yourself these questions to find out whether you really need contract manufacturing in the first place.

  • Is your business product-centric or marketing-centric? (Contract manufacturing is ideal for companies more inclined towards marketing their products so that they can focus more on it.)
  • What is the size of your business? (Huge enterprises can afford an in-house manufacturing unit. Small-to-medium-sized businesses, on the other hand, can’t.)
  • What is the core expertise of your business? (If your core expertise is anything other than manufacturing, consider outsourcing.)
  • Is your supply chain getting too complex? (Third-party firms can simplify the supply chain by streamlining logistics and reducing the risk of goods damage during transportation.)
  • Do your manufacturing demands keep on changing? (Individual firms cannot adapt to sudden changes in the manufacturing process. Third-party experts can, however, adapt to these changes without losing efficiency.)

With that being said, here are the top reasons for hiring contract manufacturing services for your business:

Cost-effective

First of all, contract manufacturing is cost-effective for your business.

Here’s how:

These CNC machine workshops are well-equipped with CNC machines that can be used to manufacture your products, which is much better than purchasing a CNC machine yourself.

As CNC machines are only as effective as a person who operates them, you have to hire a CNC expert to operate the machine. This could mean additional cost for your company.

On the other hand, CNC machine workshops are well-equipped with manufacturing equipment and also have the required expertise to achieve significant results out of these equipment.

Help in Upscaling

Imagine this:

You are offered a contract from a big client that requires you to scale up your manufacturing process, but due to lack of sufficient equipment and expert personnel, you reject the contract.

Pretty bad situation, isn’t it?

Well, having a contract manufacturing partner can help you scale up your manufacturing process with the required machinery and expert personnel.

Also, outsourcing non-important manufacturing tasks help your employees focus on their targets and efficiently maintain the quality of your product.

Quality Management

Manufacturing being their core business, machines workshops ensure that their manufacturing services are top-notch and deliver products on time. Best of all, you literally get a third-party quality control for your product.

Selecting the right contract manufacturing firm significantly reduce the risks in manufacturing by maintaining the product standard, reducing waste, and the turn-around time required.

Also, having both in-house and third-party quality control for your products ensure that your customers get the best product from you every single time.

Expertise

Eventually, what matters the most is having the right manufacturing expertise that takes your business to the next level.

A product is at the core of every business. Having a successful product strategy from idea conception to bulk manufacturing sets you apart from your competitors.

Having a contract manufacturing partner brings valuable expertise on everything from manufacturing your product at optimum cost to producing it on time with minimum wastage.

These contract manufacturing partners provide services such as CNC machining services, robotics manufacturing services, pharma manufacturing services, etc. You can select the manufacturing approach suitable for your products and also decide whether you want to outsource your manufacturing partly or completely.

No matter what your requirements are, these agencies can fine-tune the manufacturing process to best suit your demands.

Final Thoughts

To sum it all up, contract manufacturing can take off the significant burden from SMEs by providing customized product manufacturing services.

Not only that, it brings valuable expertise to optimize your production process and help you take the right steps towards a successful business.

Most of the emerging businesses today make a smart choice by outsourcing their manufacturing efforts to a competent agency. If you are one of them and are looking for the best CNC machining services in Houston, Texas we can help you out.

Take a look at our CNC machining services which includes a variety of CNC equipment, emergency CNC machining solutions, and other essential services. We would be glad to be your strategic manufacturing partner of choice!

 

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Emergency Machining Services Custom Machining Services CNC Milling Services CNC Turning Services Prototype Machining