When you contract your precision machining project to a specialist, you’ll want the process to run as smoothly as possible. To eliminate the risk of problems and to maximise the likelihood that your deadline will be met, you should provide the precision engineer with some important information at the earliest opportunity. This will enable both parties to share a common vision for the project, with any potential issues identified and resolved before fabrication begins.

In this guide, we’ll outline the information you should provide to your CNC machining specialist and explain what to do if you don’t have it to hand.

In manufacturing, a robust production control system is essential to maintain efficiency and quality, and to meet customer demands. Lead times are often tight, so manufacturers must be able to produce highly precise parts quickly and reliably, without compromising on product quality.

It goes without saying that, in the defence industry, the highest levels of precision, reliability, and durability are essential in every component. Equipment underperformance or failure can be critical in potentially life-threating situations, so the industry needs assurance that components are manufactured to meet exacting standards and operate in challenging environments.

Honing is a crucial process in the automotive industry, ensuring that critical components perform efficiently and last longer. Often, this precision machining technique is used to improve the surface finish and geometric accuracy of various automotive parts, particularly those involved in the engine and transmission systems.

In a world that is increasingly defined by advances in technology, precision tube engineering remains unknown, despite being essential to the manufacture of countless everyday products. From lifesaving medical devices in hospitals, to cutting-edge components in aircraft, precision tubes are integral to the fabric of modern life – the backbone of numerous industries that is essential to both common and critical applications.

Far from being the outdated industry we’re often labelled as, engineering underpins every aspect of modern life, shaping the world around us in ways we often take for granted.

If there is one thing that we all want to be sure about when heading into a hospital environment, it is that we are stepping into a world of precision equipment. A review of medical literature shows that even routine procedures are fraught with difficulty. For instance, a typical lumbar puncture has five primary areas of risk, and that is before the quality of the tube begins to even enter the equation. As doctors explain: “what we need to achieve is difficult enough without equipment also being a factor”.

Production demands can often be met in-house; however, in some circumstances, it makes sense to outsource manufacturing to an outside expert. Outsourcing is a viable option when specialist skills or processes are required but a business doesn’t possess the necessary tools, equipment, or expertise to deliver outstanding results, or it can be part of a long-term business strategy to cut costs and increase profits.

If you’re planning an engineering project in which you’ll need to drill holes into metals, it’s essential to choose the most suitable method of drilling to achieve the optimum results. Drilling and trepanning are two options, but it’s vital to understand the difference, and the advantages, to make an informed decision.

Many manufacturing companies have embraced the turmoil of recent years to adapt their operations and futureproof their organisations against unforeseen events. But the changing face of business isn’t simply defined by isolated incidents, despite the global supply chain instability caused by the Covid-19 pandemic and the war in Eastern Europe. Evolutions in the way customers do business has transformed the manufacturing landscape, with a soaring reliance on digital channels and constantly shifting consumer demands also forcing many manufacturers to reconsider how to stay competitive.