Getting into the manufacturing business means you will be needing a lot of parts for either your machines or the products you are making. Since you cannot make all these parts on your own, you have to outsource them. Buying them from an intermediary will mean spending a lot of money which might count as losses. It is for this reason that getting a CNC machine shop will come in handy for you. You get to make your custom made parts at a lower price and can talk to the manufacturers in case you have any issues
One of the main reasons this is usually hard to do is because you do not know what to look out for. Very few individuals have worked with machine shops before, that you are bound to be conflicted. Here are some tips that will help you know you are working with a professional CNC machine shop near you.
1. Quality
Whether you want one or 1000 pieces made for you, quality will greatly determine your customer satisfaction. If you have a new design to be made, it might take one or two tries to get it right. It is therefore vital for you to choose a shop that will deliver on quality.
The surest way to know if you are getting a good deal is if the company will do a few prototypes for you to see. You can also ask them to give you previous client testimonials to help you determine if they are worth coming on board.
2. Scalability
Based on the number of pieces you want to be made for you, the company should deliver on time and maintain quality. One of the ways of knowing if they are up to the task is visiting them. A good shop should have around several machines. With these, you know you can get your parts in time without any delay.
3. Pricing
Different shops will quote different prices for you. Before you settle on a single shop, ensure you research the other shops and see which one offers the best price. The thing with pricing is, ensure you do not compromise on quality for a small discount. Often, this will cost you in the future.
4. Customer service
Most of the CNC machine shops are located in China and have staff speaking Chinese. As such, if you are not a Chinese speaker, you will struggle to communicate. Many times the shops have a supervisor who acts as a translator. You can gauge how they speak to know if they will offer you quality service or be dismissive. Avoid shops that do not answer all your questions or whose supervisor does not want to translate for you.
Conclusion
Getting the right CNC machine shop will ensure that you can get your products in no time. Take your time and do your research on the various shops in your areas before settling on one. Where in doubt, consult with someone who might have worked with these hips before to see what they would recommend.
