In contract manufacturing, producing high-quality parts is only half the battle. The real challenge often lies in measuring components with unmatched precision.
Many companies, including some of our customers, manufacture their parts in-house but send them to us for final inspection. The reason? Their own quality departments are prone to bottlenecks, slowing down production.
At Reata, we’re confident that there’s a better way. Instead of treating inspection as a separate step, we integrate manufacturing and quality assurance from the start, leading to faster production, lower costs, and higher-quality parts.
Why Inspection Is the Biggest Bottleneck: The Hidden Complexity of Measuring Parts
At our Colorado machine shop, we frequently handle complex projects that require tight tolerances and intricate geometries. While our advanced multi-axis machining and CNC turning services allow us to manufacture parts quickly, the real challenge is proving that a part meets specifications.
When a customer sends us a finished part for inspection, we must:
- Program the part for inspection: Just like programming for machining, inspection programming requires significant time and expertise
- Set up and calibrate measurement tools: This includes advanced technologies, such as our coordinate measuring machine (CMM)
- Reverse-engineer dimensions: Some measurements require extensive calculations to verify accuracy
- Prove compliance: In industries like aerospace machining, we must provide extensive documentation and reports proving that parts meet stringent standards and specifications
The reality is that this process often takes more time than manufacturing the part itself. Additionally, when inspection is treated as a separate step, it creates an inefficient workflow:
- The part is made in one shop.
- It is sent to another shop for inspection.
- Inspection teams must start from scratch to program and measure the part.
- If issues arise, feedback must go back to the manufacturer for adjustments.
This back-and-forth can add hours to a single part’s production cycle.
Reata Doesn’t Simply Want to Measure Your Parts – We Want to Make Them!
At Reata, we don’t just measure parts—we make them! We’ve invested in cutting-edge equipment and expertise in areas such as:
- 5-axis machining and multi-axis machining for complex geometries
- Swiss turning services and CNC milling services for high-precision components
- Precision machining for highly regulated industries, like aerospace and medical components
- Finishing processes, such as passivation, laser engraving, and electroless nickel plating services
By leaning into our broad range of services, Reata ensures components are manufactured correctly from the start.
The Case for Start-to-Finishing Contract Manufacturing
When customers trust us to measure their parts, they should also trust us to make them. Here’s why:
- We already know their quality standards. Since we’re responsible for inspection, our team understands customers’ tolerances, materials, and regulatory requirements.
- We streamline production. By integrating manufacturing and inspection, we eliminate unnecessary back and forth. Additionally, because manufacturing and inspection occur simultaneously, our team can reduce delays in production.
- We reduce costs. Instead of paying for separate manufacturing and inspection services, customers get a single, optimized process.
- We minimize rejected parts. When we make the parts ourselves, we can catch and fix issues before they become costly problems. These immediate feedback loops not only keep timelines on track but also result in better overall parts.
For companies struggling with inspection bottlenecks or those looking to improve their processes, the solution is clear: Work with a contract manufacturing partner that can make and measure your parts.
At Reata, we offer end-to-end production services that drive results for our customers. Want to learn more about how we can improve your manufacturing process? Connect with our team to discuss your next project.