Clarify your technical requirements
- Define tolerances, surface finish, materials, and production volume up front.
- If you have complex geometries, multi-axis features, or tight tolerances, look for shops with demonstrated capability in those areas and a track record of meeting specs consistently.
- Consider whether you may need supplementary processes (deburring, heat treatment, coating) later in the project.
Assess equipment and capabilities
- Verify the range of machines: CNC lathes, mills, multi-axis routers, and any specialty equipment relevant to your part.
- Inquire about automation and inspection capabilities, such as probe-based measurement, in-process gauging, and first-article inspections.
- Ask about integration of secondary processes and partnerships for wavelength-specific needs (for example, if your part could benefit from wire cutting services when internal features demand non-traditional methods).
Quality assurance and process control
- Look for certifications (ISO 9001 or equivalent) and a robust quality system.
- Request process documentation, tolerance stack-up analysis, and example Cpk metrics from similar projects.
- Ensure they can provide traceability, material certificates, and detailed QA reports for your parts.
Materials experience and design feedback
- Confirm experience with your material family (aluminum, steel, titanium, etc.) and how chosen processes affect distortion, finish, and machinability.
- A good partner should offer design-for-manufacturing input to optimize tolerances and manufacturability, potentially saving time and cost.
Communication, project management, and flexibility
- Transparent quoting, clear lead times, and proactive risk management are crucial.
- Check if a dedicated account manager is assigned and how changes are handled mid-project.
- Ask about scalability for volume upswings or design iterations.