Choosing a provider for your CNC machine work can be a difficult task. There are many factors that you will need to consider when deciding on the right vendor, and it is important that you find someone who has experience with your particular needs. In this article, we will go over some of the key considerations in choosing which company best suits your needs.
One of the first things to determine is what type of manufacturing does your project require? Does it consist of thin metal plates bent, welded, and assembled? Is it a solid chunk with precision features? Do you need 1 piece or 1000? Most manufacturers have a scope of preferred work and if what you are asking them to build isn't in that scope but they quote anyways, you are going to pay premium pricing. So determining what the ideal vendor for your work is the first step to finding the right source.
Once you have determined the type of manufacturer you are looking for, it's always good to review your design one last time to see if any obvious adjustments could be made. Are there square machined corners? Do you have any complex bends that would better be done welding an additional piece? Put some thought into how the part is going to be built and what tools will need to be used to make it happen. If any features could be simplified and still maintain the function of your design, those are the cost-saving changes you can make to your product.
The last stage is reaching out and gathering quotes. There are a few tricks to help get a quote back quickly and help guide pricing where you are wanting. Some information you always want to include when requesting a quote to answer any questions your vendor may have upfront:
When do you need the parts delivered?
When are you looking to place the order?
Is there a target price you are looking for?
Will you need any extra documentation? (FAI, Material/Finishing Certifications, etc.)
By providing that information when you send out your quote requests, this will help your vendors better understand your needs and provide a more accurate response quickly.
Choosing the right vendor for your CNC machine work can be a difficult process. There are many factors that you will need to consider when deciding on the best company, and it is important that you find someone who has experience with your particular needs. In this article, we looked at some of the tips to help you save money on your manufacturing costs - from determining what type of manufacturing does your project require, to reviewing how design changes could save money on production costs, to things to note in your initial quote request.
If you need any help sourcing your project or reviewing a design for manufacturability, make sure to reach out and let us know how BetterCNC can help you build it better!