At Reata, assembly is an engineering-driven process that requires in-depth problem-solving, process development, quality planning, and continuous improvement. Because every product that goes through our facilities is so different, every assembly process needs to be evaluated and optimized based on the specific requirements of that product.
Instead of treating assembly as a one-size-fits-all operation, the Reata team works to create the best possible process for every customer and application.
We Invest in Equipment That Supports Better Outcomes
Providing our team with the best tools is key to optimizing and improving our assembly and sub-assembly services.
New Pneumatic Presses Improve Consistency
One recent investment has been the addition of pneumatic presses that allow operators to control and document press forces more accurately. Not only are these systems more ergonomically beneficial for our team, but they also provide greater process control for customers who require specific insertion pressures for pins and other assembly features.
Expanding Our Finishing and Cleaning Capabilities
We’re also continuing to invest in equipment that supports assembly quality, including additional tumbling equipment, cleaning systems, pressure washing equipment, and specialized finishing tools.
Beyond new equipment, we’re continually evolving our assembly processes to match the needs of each product we support. We handle tailoring, cleaning, handling, and packaging workflows so every product moves through a process built around its specific requirements.
Custom Fixturing Improves Quality and Efficiency
One area where our engineering team continues to make a major impact is custom fixturing. In fact, our summer interns have been helping identify opportunities to create assembly fixtures ahead of production so jobs can move through assembly more efficiently.
Assembly Can Reveal Opportunities for Better Design
When dissimilar materials are joined, such as steel pins pressed into softer metals, differences in how those materials behave can create alignment challenges during assembly. In cases like these, our team has collaborated with customers on design revisions that eliminate pressed pins entirely by machining locating features directly into the component.
This is a prime example of how our team’s extensive experience in assembly can help uncover opportunities to improve an entire design.
We Leverage Reverse Processing Methods to Eliminate Unnecessary Steps
Another major focus area of ours has been expanding our use of reverse processing.
Many parts require selective finishes such as anodizing and chem film. Traditionally, this often calls for extensive masking, followed by plating and unmasking. The problem is that masking adds lead time and risk of bleed-out and fallout. Instead, Reata changes the order of operations.
In our approach, features are machined first, then anodized before returning to Reata for additional machining operations. Features requiring bare aluminum or chem film are machined afterward and processed separately. This approach dramatically reduces masking requirements while improving consistency and appearance. Just as importantly, it removes unnecessary routing steps throughout production, so parts can move through the shop faster.
Reata Solves Customer Problems Beyond Traditional Assembly
Some of our most impactful assembly improvements are technically engineering solutions.
New Inspection Technologies
We’re currently developing an AI-assisted vision inspection solution designed to provide more objective pass/fail criteria for cosmetic and surface-related inspections.
Rather than relying solely on visual interpretation, the system is being designed to help create more measurable, repeatable inspection results.
Supporting Documentation and Validation
For many assembly programs, our involvement extends beyond manufacturing. Our engineering team regularly supports customers by creating:
- Process validations
- Welding verification documents
- Manufacturing documentation
- Supporting quality records
These actions, which happen behind the scenes, remove significant administrative burdens from our customers and help accelerate product launches and production readiness.
The Value of Partnering with a Contract Manufacturer That Understands Assembly
One of the biggest advantages of working with a company like Reata that performs assembly is the perspective our team brings to each project. We machine individual components, but more critically, we see firsthand how those components fit together and how they function within the larger system.
And most importantly, we’re constantly evolving. Our team is always evaluating ways to improve workflows, simplify routings, automate repetitive steps, develop better fixtures, and create more robust quality controls.
If you’re seeking a manufacturing partner that brings assembly experience and a commitment to continuous improvement to every project, contact Reata today. We’d love to help solve your next challenge.