Are you looking for a machine shop to assist you in your business project? These professionals offer manufacturing solutions to companies of various industries like the military, automotive, medical, and aerospace industry.
Clients are only supposed to have a concept, which machine shops turn into reality by using modern equipment and methods of production. These providers should be experienced, skilled, and punctual regarding deliveries. There is a variety of metal component providers, such as UHI Group, specializing in the production of complex parts.
We hope the tips below help you hire the best one.
Check their capabilities
Prior to selecting a machine shop for your project, make sure you inspect its capabilities in terms of skills, tools, and service range. It’s of vital importance for the equipment they employ to fabricate metal components of various sizes from at least half an inch in diameter to a maximum of eighteen inches.
The machine shop you opt for is supposed to be experienced in fabricating metal components of the size and material you require for your project. The largest number of such shops turn the concepts of clients into reality by offering a vast range of services. For instance, most established providers provide stamping, hydroforming, engineering, assemblies, validation, and low volume production.
Moreover, machine shops are expected to provide manual services in order to meet the requirements of various clients. For instance, companies sometimes have specific requirements regarding the number and size of metal components. They might order no more than several components or parts of a much larger size than those manufactured on machine tables.
Check the equipment
The following thing to check when looking for a machine shop to collaborate with is the equipment. In order for your project to be completed with maximal precision, the provider should use equipment with up-to-date technology. Make sure you inquire about the equipment brand in order to see whether it’s one of the most established brands in the market.
In addition, the provider is supposed to inform you about the exact age of the tools used in the machine shop. These are supposed to be durable but modern when it comes to technology. Bear in mind that machine shop equipment should use the latest software and technology in order to meet the requirements of companies from different industries.
Old equipment, on the other hand, is more susceptible to defects, which lead to delays in the manufacturing process. Therefore, when hiring a metal component provider for the fabrication of metal components look for one with high-tech equipment for better efficiency. Every shop should be equipped with a milling machine, lathe, grinding machine, machining center, drill press, bandsaw, etc. Read here about the features and functions of a milling machine.
Check certification
Once you’ve gained an insight into the equipment, make sure you inquire whether the provider has ISO (International Organization of Standards) 9001 certification. Even though these certificates aren’t mandatory for such shops, holding ISO certification speaks volumes about the attitude of these professionals toward customers.
Moreover, metal component providers with ISO 9001 certification are believed to offer products and services of high quality, as well as excellent customer support. It’s paramount to check whether the provider adheres to the current ISO standards, not those valid decades ago. A reputable metal component provider is expected to recertify every time ISO standards are updated.
Apart from ISO certification, these shops are required to provide exceptional quality control in order to guarantee the precision of the metal components they fabricate. Every product has to go through an inspection procedure, followed by a digital report by the provider.
Inquire about delivery
A crucial aspect to consider when choosing a manufacturing partner is delivery. In order for your business operations to run smoothly, the manufactured parts should arrive within the agreed deadline. Therefore, companies are advised to inspect the delivery policy of each machine shop prior to hiring one.
Furthermore, the provider you decide to collaborate with should offer a guarantee on its deliveries, as well as a modern tracking system. Every client should be able to track his/her order instead of having no idea about its location. Metal component providers are expected to use modern software for keeping track of orders and project schedules.
Learn about the experience of other customers
The clientele of machine shops is yet another important factor to check prior to hiring a provider. The websites of these companies include information about previous clients, which you need to analyze. Providers doing business with reputable companies and corporations are considered established as well.
Besides gaining insight into their clientele, potential clients are suggested to check the experience of previous customers by looking at testimonials and reviews. These are invaluable in terms of getting a general idea about the experience, expertise, and professionalism of these professionals, as long as you read the reviews on credible review sites.
Check business details
The business details of machine shops are worth checking before hiring a particular provider. A vital detail to inspect is their experience, which is supposed to be long enough for clients to expect high-quality service.
Another detail to check is the size of the facility where these professionals fabricate metal components. These facilities should be spacious in order to fit a large number of machines. The more tools such a shop has, the quicker the manufacturing process. Even if the facility isn’t entirely equipped with machines, it indicates the provider has an intention to invest in more equipment in the future.
If possible, learn more about the size of the working area in order to check the attitude of the provider towards future investments. Selecting a shop with plenty of equipment reduces the wait time of clients, as such professionals are capable of dealing with orders of high volume much faster.
Final word
Companies looking for a long-term collaboration with a machine shop should pay close attention to its reputation, experience, and range of services!