Top Tips for selecting the right precision engineering partner for you

July 15, 2016

When the time comes for you to outsource CNC machining tasks, finding and selecting a precision engineering firm that is right for you can be a daunting task. But this doesn’t have to be the case. Simply follow our top tips for selecting a CNC precision engineering company.

Utilize online search tools

Online searches through search engines such as Google are a fast and free way of finding precision engineering companies. Use keywords to home in on a service provider with specific skills or in a certain location.

Check the services they provide

Once your online search has found a selection of precision engineering companies that could be of interest, review their websites to learn about their services. They may offer more than CNC machining, in which case don’t be afraid to explore what these other services are and if they could be valuable to you.

Confirm they use the materials you need

Most CNC machining tasks use a small number of materials, such as steel, copper and aluminium, so be sure to check what other materials they can machine. This is so you know they are able to work with the materials you need, but also so you’re aware of what else they can work with in case you have a future need for a different material.

Ask for capacity and turnaround time

Considering your intention is to entrust a precision engineering company with delivering high quality components on time and on budget, it’s important that you check they have the capacity and flexibility to be able to cope with the size of your order. Turnaround time is key to this, especially if you require components quickly.

Ask for a quote and compare their costs with your budget

Each precision engineering company will quote slightly differently, so don’t assume a quote from one is a reflection on the cost of another. Once you’ve received quotes from the companies you’re considering, compare them with your budget. While low cost is often prioritised, it isn’t as important as value for money. If one company is more costly but delivers a better overall service in terms of quality and reliability, it will likely pay better in the long term to select them.

We hope you’ve found our top tips helpful. Good luck in your search for your perfect precision engineering partner!