How Reata Standardizes Training and Streamlines Production with STS
Many smaller shops are under the impression that tools like STS are only tailored for large manufacturing companies. This perception keeps them from adopting new solutions, believing they are too big, too expensive, or simply not made for them. In reality, innovative tools can provide significant returns on investment, no matter the company size. At […]
Optimizing Our Outside Processing Services with In-House Masking
At Reata, we’re committed to continuously improving our processes to better serve our customers. Recently, we’ve focused on optimizing our outside processing capabilities, specifically by expanding our in-house masking services to reduce both pricing and lead times. Let’s dive into why we’re investing in these outside processes and how these optimized procedures translate to tangible […]
Innovative Solutions Through Partnership: Our Approach to Problem Solving
At Reata Engineering, tackling complex challenges is our specialty. We embrace every project as an opportunity to find innovative solutions and deliver the results our customers need. But we’re not just focused on meeting requirements—we’re committed to building strong, lasting partnerships with our customers, working closely with them to ensure success at every stage of […]
Great Leaders Run Great Precision Machine Shops
Workforce development is crucial to the future of the precision machining industry. Reata Engineering works to inspire the next generation of manufacturers through community involvement, internship programs, and more, but we believe it’s just as important to uplift the current workforce! That’s why we’re supporting four of our precision machine shop employees’ participation in the […]
Why New Part Meetings Are a Critical Step in Our Process
When Reata Engineering begins work on a new part or when an existing part or process changes, we hold a “new part meeting” that includes multiple department heads within the company. These “new part meetings”, as we call them, bring together our entire team—quality, estimating, production, engineering, programming, and management—to review the new part (or […]
Reata Achieves ISO 13485 Certification for Medical Device Manufacturing
In April 2024, Reata Engineering achieved ISO 13485:2016 certification. This certification establishes a stringent international standard for medical device quality management systems and serves as proof of our consistent, high-quality production process. ISO 13485 is a rare certification for precision machine shops to maintain due to the high costs of annual audits. However, we knew […]
The Door to Our Precision Machine Shop is Always Open
Historically, contract manufacturing has been a closed-door industry. After all, no one wants their customers to see a mistake they’ve made or their competitors to discover the secrets behind manufacturing an innovative new part. But Reata Engineering is championing a new way of thinking: total transparency. With our Lunch & Learn program, we bring customers […]
How to Approach Tight Tolerances in Complex CNC Machining
In complex CNC machining, a standard tolerance of +/- 0.0050” is sufficient for most parts. When tighter tolerances are necessary, Reata Engineering can reliably hold tight tolerances of +/- 0.0005” before costs significantly increase. However, we often see customers specifying tolerances of +/- 0.0002” and tighter when those tolerances aren’t necessary for the part’s function. […]
How Our Cutting-Edge Proactive Maintenance Program Benefits Customers
Machine malfunctioning isn’t just inconvenient—it can negatively impact part quality, too. In the weeks before machines visibly need repair, parts produced are prone to issues like chip build-up and subpar surface finishes. To combat this problem, Reata Engineering created a proactive maintenance program to keep machines in optimal operating condition. We stay two steps ahead […]
Machining vs. Extruding Heat Sinks: Which Option Is Better?
Heat sinks are vital elements in many electronic and mechanical systems. These parts manage heat in applications like computer CPUs and medical machinery, preventing them from overheating and malfunctioning. Heat is transferred from the component into the heat sink and then into the air through vertical fins. The fins increase the surface area from which […]