The increased need for better efficiency in complex machining goods by sectors is projected to impact the growth of the CNC manufacturing industry. Yet, the growing demand for high precision and lower operating costs, as well as technological developments in Customized Manufacturing Services processes, are all impacting the appeal of CNC technology. Customized Manufacturing Services are playing a significant role in addressing these needs.
However, the spike in mass manufacturing of items across industry verticals, including automotive and electronics, is responsible for the expansion of the CNC (Computer Numerical Control) machine market. Increased demand for mass customization is also driving the adoption of these technologies, with Customized Manufacturing Services leading the charge in providing Manufacturing solutions UAE.
So what are the risks associated with this market and its possible Customized Manufacturing Services business model? Is this market capable of advancing further with new Customized Manufacturing Services trends? Let’s go through everything in more depth below.
Key Tips for Achieving Success in Precision Machining
Here are six precision machining challenges that can be solved with smart DFM:
Challenges: Thin structures
Does your part have thin walls or features? Delicate structures can easily warp during precision machining without adequate support from fixtures. The challenge is even greater when the entire part is thin—an issue we recently encountered at our CNC machine shop. Leading Manufacturing Solutions often suggest innovative approaches to such challenges.
Solution A: Add holes
Machining thin structures is easier when a part includes a few extra mounting holes. Additional holes allow us to use more supporting fixtures to stabilize the part during machining.
Solution B: Add features
If additional fixturing holes aren’t possible, our product engineering services team can help you design another feature or two that will serve the same purpose. In many cases, one simple add-on feature is enough to solve the problem.
It’s important to note that there isn’t a single ideal Manufacturing solutions UAE for machining a part with thin walls or features. Factors like the size of the part and the number of internal features are essential considerations when determining the best approach.
That’s why if your part has thin structures, we always recommend engaging a certified machine shop in UAE for a design review before finalizing your design. We’ll identify any issues prior to machining and make recommendations before our machinists are on the clock.
Challenge: Drilling Deep Holes
Traditional tooling isn’t ideal for drilling deep, narrow holes. For example, a 10” hole is 40x longer than the diameter of a standard ¼” drill, and it’s tremendously challenging to achieve a hole of that depth with accurate straightness.
Solution A: Utilize Drill Fixtures
Depending on your part’s design, we may be able to apply drill fixtures to ensure straightness. But ask yourself: does the hole need to extend through the entire part, or can it be shortened? We’ve machined spray nozzles where only the final length of the hole required true straightness. Could these considerations apply to your part, too?
Solution B: Design to Accommodate Deep Holes
Designing a larger diameter for the deep hole or drilling it from a different direction can enable easier machining. Or approach your design with creativity, and you may be able to eliminate the deep hole altogether!
Challenge: Machining Deep Pockets
Like deep holes, deep pockets can be difficult to achieve with standard tooling. If particularly slender tools are required, the resulting vibrations can compromise your part’s surface finish. As if that weren’t enough, the tools required to machine deep pockets are often difficult to source, increasing costs and lead times.
Solution: Use a 5:1 ratio
When designing pockets, maintain a length to diameter ratio of no more than 5:1 so that we can machine the pockets quickly and affordably with our standard, in-house tooling.
Challenge: Incorrect Material Specifications
Occasionally, a customer will request a material grade or temper that’s especially difficult to machine. Some challenging material selections are unavoidable, but there are often opportunities to choose comparable alternatives.
For example, 6061-O aluminum alloy can easily be substituted with 6061-T6 for much simpler precision machining. Healthy communication between the engineer and the manufacturer can ensure the best material selection for each job.
Solution: Understand Your Material Requirements in Advance
Merely calling out “aluminum” for your part is unlikely to be specific enough, so it’s essential to identify your precise material needs before requesting Customized Manufacturing Services. Even when the grade and temper of the material are machining-friendly, you should know with certainty that both are appropriate for your application.
Challenge: Managing Undercuts
It’s not often that we see requests for undercuts, but when we do, these features always require careful attention. Using keyway or lollipop cutters, Custom Industrial Manufacturing Services can handle almost any undercut request, achieving highly accurate recessed features that straight tools can’t access.
Solution: Simplify Your Undercuts
An undercut can be incredibly challenging (and occasionally impossible) to machine when it envelops intricate features. We recommend avoiding complex features within an undercut when possible. If such intricacies are needed, consult our product engineering services team before finalizing your design. We’ll help you identify the best method for achieving your part’s required features while maintaining machinability and cost-effectiveness.
Challenge: Square Corners
Interior square corners are typically a design oversight. Round tools cannot form perfect right angles, meaning costly non-standard tooling and extensive machining time are required to create sharp corners.
Solution: Avoid or Embrace Square Corners
To solve this challenge, you can avoid designing interior right angles altogether or include a tiny channel tag or “earmark” at the corner. The channel tag allows a square mating part to fit neatly into the corner. You may even choose to fit a fastener into the earmark!
Essential Manufacturing Training for Key Industries
Of all the training programs possible within aerospace, defense, medical, automotive, food and beverage, and several other critical industries, some are more meaningful and valuable than others. Customized Manufacturing Services often include specialized training to meet these needs.
These types of trainings help companies meet industry standards but also help them to innovate to gain a competitive advantage. Let’s explore which types of Customized Manufacturing Services training programs will be of greatest importance and value to these industries.
Training on Advanced Materials and Composites
The course features updates on new materials in the field of materials science, detailing composites and superalloys to enable the manufacture of lightweight, strong products that are of high performance. Workers are introduced to new materials that can aid product design and efficiency innovations.
Precision Manufacturing and Quality Assurance
Customized Manufacturing training programs teach techniques to achieve a high degree of accuracy in the production of parts, while quality control training ensures that products meet rigorous standards. It is therefore of essence in industries where minor defects can result in serious consequences, or where reliability and safety should be a must for the products.
Adhering to Regulatory Requirements and Industry Standards
These will include the intricate and related regulatory environments established for the medical and aerospace industries, setting standards for regulations to be presented by the FDA within the medical device arena or by the FAA within the aerospace components area. They work to make sure that companies not only comply with current regulations but also that companies are ready for new legislative changes, mitigating risks and avoiding costly penalties.
Integration of Automation and Robotics
Finally, the training in automation and robotics focuses on the utilization of advanced machinery and robot systems to improve the Customized Manufacturing Services process; it is aimed at developing the workforce in order to implement and manage technological steps toward increased efficiency, reduced costs, and enhanced production capabilities.
Lean Manufacturing and Six Sigma Techniques
These will range from organizational-level aspects that touch on institutes like Six Sigma, which teach ways to reduce waste and improve process optimization, keeping an eye toward creating value for the manufacturing customer service. These methodologies enhance operational efficiency, product quality, and customer service satisfaction—items that do affect a company’s bottom line.
Cybersecurity for Manufacturing Systems
As more digital technologies find their way into Custom Manufacturing solutions UAE, the need for cybersecurity training has increased so much, simply protecting sensitive data and operational technology from possible cyber-attacks that could bring the manufacturing floor to a grinding halt, allowing their competitors access to very sensitive data such as intellectual property and customer information.
Sustainability and Environmental Regulations
Programs in training on sustainable business practices and environmental compliance are rapidly gaining importance with increased emphasis on eco-friendly operations across the globe. This aids companies in reducing their impact on the environment, complying with regulations, and meeting consumer demand for sustainable products.
FAQ’s
What is the meaning of precision manufacturing?
Precision manufacturing is what happens when a design is developed that requires highly accurate components and is made into a workable part. There are many industries that have very precise tolerance that has to be exact. When it comes to parts for the aerospace industry, for example, this precision can save lives.
What is the most accurate manufacturing process?
Precision machining is a high-velocity process used in precision manufacturing. It relies on machine tools controlled by computer software for producing components. CNC machining starts with engineers or designers who use computer-aided design software.
What are the three categories of precision?
Precision can assert itself in three different ways:
- Arithmetic precision – number of significant digits for a value.
- Stochastic precision – probability distribution of possible values.
- Granularity – grouping or level of aggregation of values.
What does high precision manufacturing involve?
High Precision Manufacturing Equipment. Precision manufacturing refers to the assembly processes of extremely small, delicate and complex components and products. These components have very narrow tolerances, often less than 50 µm. The goal of precision manufacturing is to create even smaller products.