What is CNC Manufacturing?

A machine that is working on some kind of metal


What is CNC Manufacturing?

CNC Manufacturing

At United Scientific, our customers are in the “making things†business. The things that make the world go ‘round. These various items permeate several industries, including:

  • Aerospace service
  • Automotive service
  • Defense
  • Agriculture
  • Recreational equipment
  • Medical Device

United Scientific is a parts manufacturer, using a manufacturing process called Computer Numerical Control or CNC. In other words, we make the stuff that goes into other stuff, and we make it with a high degree of precision and engineering, via computer software and code-writing. Our lathes, grinders, and other machines can be commanded digitally instead of manually, raising the bar on quality control and product measurement accuracy.

Let’s contrast CNC manufacturing with numeric control manufacturing or NCM. In NCM, cutting instructions are placed into a machine via punch card guided by a human. In CNC, design specs and machining instructions are entered into a computer, which allows for higher memory and automation, like a robot.

Programming code is easily edited or changed to produce customized results in a CNC process, and those changes remain in the computer memory for future use if desired or needed. CNC means we use a combination of human design and computer software and sometimes custom code to make your part. Here’s how this works.

A brief overview of the CNC process

First, we talk. Our professional staff will consult with you to determine the size, scope, and details of your parts project, as well as delivery deadlines, and competitive pricing. Our end goal is to deliver a defect-free, precision-made part that fits your application the first time, flawlessly.  

Next, we program. We use precision pre-programmed software and sometimes specific code to map out the machining cuts we need to perform and materials we will use to create your part.  We create the specs for your project from design to execution to delivery.

Then, we cut. With your carefully communicated part specifications, we will “measure twice and cut once,†as the saying goes, to ensure the fit and function of the part you order. Our internal audit protocol is one of the most stringent in the nation, providing an accuracy factor of 99-plus percent.

Finally, we deliver. We listen to your feedback, requests for refinement, and budget concerns to tweak the overall project to your specifications. We make sure the parts you request are accurate to your specifications and machined safely, with the highest “lean and green†standards we can offer.

Service Manufacturing in “The Gap.â€

Service Manufacturing in the Gap

Precision manufacturing is a fascinating operating system for a parts company. We understand that leading-edge machine technology like CNC is paramount to providing top-quality product and maintaining accuracy throughout the cutting process.

CNC manufacturers are often “gap specialists.†What do we mean by that? Well, at United Scientific, we focus on servicing part gaps in the “making things†process. How does this work?

Let’s say that one of our clients has several large contracts with other parts manufacturers for the primary widgets in their products. The parent company needs thousands upon thousands of those widgets for the finished product they make. However, the same company also requires a much smaller number of gadgets for their product to function optimally as well.

The widget-maker has a minimum part quantity order requirement that would result in an excess of gadgets with no product in which to place them. The parent company now has a problem: order a large quantity of gadget and leave a ton of capital sitting on their shelves tied up in unusable gadgets, or provide a sub-par finished product and risk losing customers.

That’s where United Scientific comes in. Our service-based manufacturing approach allows us to customize orders for exactly the part and quantity you need. The client gets what she wants, built with the highest precision and quantity standards, so there is no wasted time or materials.

Evolving From Pushing Products to Selling Services

Of course, we sell parts. Parts are actual products. You can touch them, hold them, box them, and use them. However, in the CNC industry, we are now beginning to look at our products, more like services. This change in perspective is a subtle but significant shift in the way we do business at large, with many positive outcomes to be had for the customer or partner.  

The precision of CNC–the programming, the software, the tools we use, as well as the human component, allow us to come alongside our customers and partners to ensure a high degree of customization and flexibility in the parts we make and the jobs we complete.

We view our products to be part of our overall service, keeping you on the winning side of your project budget and providing only through-put with little to no waste, as well as on-time custom delivery.

Nimble is Where it’s At

Agility in Creating What You Need

Our CNC process makes us agile. We can easily complete several projects concurrently with our technology. Which makes us a reliable partner for a client’s changing needs, as well as allowing us to manufacture parts in a variety of industries. We can handle any job from large to small and provide the most competitive pricing on the market.

Our Partnerships Seal the Deal

We are a trusted collaborator for other manufacturing companies as well as servicing our own clientele. We assist aerospace and automotive manufacturers as a “second†builder, and our product quality and on-time delivery standards cement those relationships. When other big builders trust us, you know you can trust us for any custom part project you have, no matter the size.  

Choose United Scientific as a Trusted Resource for Your Next Part Order

Our commitment to quality, to the right fit and function the first time, and our high level of customer service make us the clear choice for your next CNC project. We are manufacturing trailblazers with a small business heart. Our customer relationships are paramount to our success.  We mean it when we say Scientific in Process-with our leading-edge technology, and United in Purpose, delivering you the best parts, made lean, made right and making your business work.

 

Four Reasons Your Company Can Benefit From a Precision Machine Shop

A machine is being worked on in the light.


Benefits of using a Precision Machine shop

In the ever-changing global marketplace, staying competitive in your industry can be challenging. With rising costs of materials, the increase in digital marketing demands, and uncertain economic times, it is critical that you streamline your company’s efforts to stay profitable and viable year after year. Choosing to use a high-quality precision machine shop will allow you to do just that.

If you have wondered if hiring a precision machine shop is the right move for your business, reach out to the team at United Scientific Inc. today. With a highly-trained staff and industry-leading technology, we can produce what you need, when you need it.

What Does a Precision Machine Shop Do?

At its basic level, a precision machine shop uses subtractive processes to remove material from a starting blank to produce parts, pieces, and components for manufacturing clients. This subtraction happens through the use of any or all of these machining practices:

  • Drilling
  • Turning
  • Boring
  • Sawing
  • Milling
  • Grinding

Specialized tools use the digital plans rendered from computer-aided design to produce the required specifications. Trained machinists set and adjust the devices and run the program as specified.

In contrast to the machining systems, additive processes form pieces by adding layers of material until the desired shape, size, and parameters emerge. 3D printing is one of the most popular types of additive production.

Also Read: What Happens in a CNC Machine Shop

Although it has gained popularity in recent years, 3D printing remains a much more limited option compared to precision machining. There are limits to the type of substance that can work as a filament in the printers. Machining, on the other hand, can work on almost any material such as wood, foam, metal, and plastic.

Who Uses Precision Machine Shops?

Who Uses Precision Machine shops

You might be surprised by the number of industries that rely on the skills of machinists. If you look around your home or office, the odds are there is something within your reach that uses machined parts.

In addition to traditional manufacturing markets, all of these industries use precision machine shops to produce what they need:

  • Medicine and Research – Medical laboratories rely heavily on precision machine shops to provide accurate pieces on time. Modern research facilities cannot operate without the myriad equipment needed to run tests and protect samples. Machinists supply the parts for that equipment.
  • Aerospace and Aircraft – Not many industries demand precision as much as the aircraft and aerospace industry does. Landing gear, security machinery, and control panels impact people’s lives and safety daily. There is no room for error in aerospace machine shops.
  • Defense – From tank parts to weapons to communication devices, defense departments around the globe need the services of precision machine shops to have top-notch supplies on time.
  • Commercial – Retail companies need reliable, repeatable machining services to be able to keep up with market demand for their products. Fast, high volume output with the ability to change specs as needed is critical in commercial markets.
  • Optics – The precise nature of machining makes it feasible for manufacturers of optical products to work rapidly through several prototypes. Everything from reading glasses to telescopes to microscopes uses machined parts.
  • Food Industry – As food production becomes more and more streamlined and automated, the demand for machined parts is growing. From devices to assess food safety to equipment used in food preparation, machining is becoming a big part of the industry.

Four Reasons Your Company Needs a Precision Machine Shop

If you have been on the fence about hiring a precision machine shop, take the time to learn all about their services for these reasons:

1. Accuracy

As you would expect from something with precision in its name, a precision machine shop is all about accuracy. Many industries, in particular, defense and aerospace, require parts with extremely tight tolerances. There is almost no room for deviation. If your company hopes to win bids in these areas, you must employ a machine shop that can deliver with extreme precision.

United Scientific Inc. is proud to hold the prestigious ISO 9001 Certification that demonstrates our commitment to zero defects and documented accuracy of at least 99% of the time.

2. Timeliness

Modern industry moves fast. Your business cannot compete if it doesn’t have a way to produce parts and merchandise quickly enough to keep up. When you need a prototype in a hurry or must make changes to the specifications of an existing piece, you need the work finished right away. Using a trusted precision machine shop ensures you can get what you need with a short turnaround. If you waste precious days or weeks waiting for a part, the market may leave you behind.

3. Expertise

Although there are times a business may try to produce self-made prototypes and components, they soon recognize that they lack the experience and knowledge to do so. The skill of machinists is not something to take lightly. They have specialized training and significant know-how that a novice cannot duplicate. They also have state-of-the-art tools that finish the job correctly and in a short time.

4. Cost

Businesses are all about the bottom line. You want to increase profits and lower expenses. If you do not have a precision machine shop completing jobs for you, then you likely are paying for a lot of employee hours to complete something a shop could do in moments.

Also, when trying to do this in-house, there are going to be a lot of mistakes that cost more time and materials. Hiring the services of a precision machine is worth it. The return on investment will boost your bottom line.

United Scientific Is On Your Side

United Scientific is On Your Side

If you are wary of trying to go it alone in your parts manufacturing, let United Scientific Inc. help you out. Our expert machinists and friendly staff will work with you to determine what level of service you need for your company to be competitive and profitable.

Our team represents over 70 years of experience in the machining industry. We are honored to be your trusted partner. Contact us today to see how we may serve you.