5 Reasons to Find a Machine Shop with Multi-Tasking Machines

If you want to reduce cost and lead time for your next project without compromising quality, find a manufacturer that uses multi-tasking machines to build parts.

These highly effective machines have revolutionized manufacturing, enabling shops to improve efficiency, flexibility, and productivity. At Reata Engineering, we’re committed to using the most advanced technology available, so we’ve invested in high-end 5-axis multi-tasking machines like the Integrex i200s to provide the best experience to customers seeking high- or low-volume production.

What is a Multi-Tasking Machine?

A multi-tasking machine is exactly what it sounds like: a machine that combines multiple processes to reduce the number of operations required to manufacture a part. More specifically, a multi-tasking machine mills and turns part features on one set up. This “one-and-done” process allows shops to be more productive while maintaining high standards of accuracy and quality.

How Customers Benefit from Multi-Tasking Machines

Multi-tasking machines certainly make life easier for manufacturers. But what matters most is how this technology benefits the folks on the other side of the table: our customers.

We want our customers to fully understand the value they’re getting from our multi-tasking machines:

Automated processes. Precision machining requires highly skilled labor, but due to the current skills gap in manufacturing, many shops struggle to find qualified workers. Since a multi-tasking machine does the work of up to three machines, we can focus on hiring just one highly skilled machinistinstead of several. We can continue to grow our shop while ensuring that our team of machinists retains its top-notch reputation.
Extreme accuracy. Multi-tasking technology is known for its high degree of precision. With just one operation to set up, there’s less room for human error than a process requiring multiple machines and setups. Our multi-tasking machines can hold tolerances as tight as .0003” with extreme accuracy and consistency.

Shorter lead times. Setting up a part on just one machine speeds up our operations so we can complete parts faster. It’s not uncommon to see, for example, six operations reduced to only one.

Better prices. For low-volume projects, setup time comprises the bulk of customer costs. With a multi-tasking machine, we can cut the number of setup hours almost in half. Reducing time (and labor) lets us offer better prices to our customers.

Streamlined quality control. When multiple operations are involved, errors that happen early on may not become clear until much later in the process, at which point an entire batch of parts may need to be remade. This problem simply doesn’t occur with a one-operation workflow, because we can inspect a single part after all operations have been completed to ensure it’s up to our high quality standards.

Do you have an upcoming project—either high- or low-volume—that could benefit from our 5-axis multi-tasking machines? Our sweet spot for part size is 25” x 39”, so if you can hold it in 1-2 hands, we can make it. Request a quote and we’ll respond within 24 hours.

Recent Posts

Why “Approximately Correct” Is Better Than “Perfectly Wrong” in Contract Manufacturing
Why Your Contract Manufacturing Partner Should Handle Production AND Inspection
Identifying and Overcoming Bottlenecks to Maximize Manufacturing Efficiency
“Do Or Do Not; There Is No Try.” Wise Words from Yoda, the Mascot of Our Precision Machine Shop
What Should You Look for in a Manufacturing Partner? A Can-Do Attitude!
Better People, Better Parts: How Reata’s Talented Team Drives Our Customers’ Success
Engineering Expertise at Reata: Supporting Complex Designs for Superior Results
Efficiency, Transparency, and Accuracy: Reata’s Journey with Datanomix
Why Reata Added Passivation and Laser Engraving to Our In-House Capabilities
Reata’s Partnership with NIMS Sets the Stage for Workforce Development
Reata’s Approach to Data-Driven Decision-Making
How Our New 3D Printing Technology Increases Versatility and Customization at Our Precision Machine Shop
How Reata Successfully Quoted a 1,000-Piece Medical Assembly in Record Time
Collaboration Is Key in Contract Manufacturing
How Reata Standardizes Training and Streamlines Production with STS
Optimizing Our Outside Processing Services with In-House Masking
Innovative Solutions Through Partnership: Our Approach to Problem Solving
Great Leaders Run Great Precision Machine Shops
Why New Part Meetings Are a Critical Step in Our Process
Reata Achieves ISO 13485 Certification for Medical Device Manufacturing
The Door to Our Precision Machine Shop is Always Open
How to Approach Tight Tolerances in Complex CNC Machining
How Our Cutting-Edge Proactive Maintenance Program Benefits Customers
Machining vs. Extruding Heat Sinks: Which Option Is Better?
How Our Turnkey Assembly Services Benefit Customers
DFM Tip: Why You Should Model to the Mean, Not the Nominal
Our Software Increases Visibility for Contract Manufacturing Customers
Why We Use Pre-Processed Parts for Complex CNC Machining Jobs
Reduce Contract Manufacturing Costs with Extrusion
The Future of Contract Manufacturing Requires Your Participation
How 5-Axis Machining Accelerates the Prototyping Process
5 Ways Reata’s Kanban Approach to Assembly Benefits Customers
Use DFM Principles for Superior Prototype Machining Services
DFM 101: 3 Reasons Reata Is a Superior DFM Partner
DFM 101: Getting Started with Design For Manufacturability
The Importance of a Complete PO in Precision Machining
How Reata’s Software Investments Benefit Contract Manufacturing Customers
How to Use Datums to Get the Part You Want
Celebrating Our 30th Anniversary with a Look Back at How We Got Here
How We’re Using AI to Improve Our Manufacturing Processes
Why Low-Volume, High-Mix Shops Make Great Manufacturing Partners
A One-Stop Shop for Complex Assembly Projects
How Industry 4.0 Is Transforming Our Contract Manufacturing Shop
How Our New Scanning CMM Improves Inspection Capabilities
5 Reasons Contract Manufacturing Customers Love Reata’s Quotes
Reata’s Customer Service Standards as Your Contract Manufacturing Partner
Decoding Machinist Speak: Surface Finish vs. Finishing in Contract Machining
Complex CNC Machining Is Our Specialty
5 Reasons to Grow Your Contract Manufacturing Career at Reata Engineering
What to Know About Electroless Nickel Plating Services
How Measuring Our Performance against Manufacturing Industry Benchmarks Keeps Us Competitive
How 3D Printing Technology Improves Our Contract Manufacturing Services
Choosing the Right Aluminum Plating Method
What 5-Axis Machining Capabilities Tell You about a Machine Shop
Decoding Machinist Speak: Measurement Conventions
6 Benefits of Electropolishing for Stainless Steel Parts
4 Ways Reata’s Automation Solutions Benefit Customers
Why True Position Is a Precision Machine Shop’s Best Friend
Considerations for Plating Precision Machined Parts
How to Convey Intent in Precision Machining Designs
5 Reasons to Reshore Manufacturing Operations
How to Avoid Tolerance Stacking Problems When Designing Mating Parts
Inside Reata’s Successful Summer Internship Program
How Lights Out Manufacturing Benefits Precision Machining Customers
5 Ways Reata Is Mitigating Manufacturing Workforce Issues for Our Customers
6 Reasons to Tell Your Precision Machining Partner about Your Part’s Application
Could Your Complex Parts Benefit from GD&T Profile Callouts?
How Industry 4.0 Helps Us Meet Customer Needs
5 Ways Reata Overcomes Global Manufacturing Challenges
DFM Tip: 4 Facts to Know About Perpendicularity
Can’t Find These 3 Popular Materials? Talk to Your Contract Manufacturing Partner
What Makes Reata Engineering an Engineer-Friendly Precision Machine Shop
How a Happy Manufacturing Team Makes for Happy Customers
DFM Tip: 5 Best Practices for Revision Control in Contract Manufacturing
A Single-Source Precision Machining Solution for Assemblies
Could Your Part Benefit From 5-Axis Machining?
DFM Tip: 3 Ways to Improve Your Prints and Get Better CNC Machined Parts
Best Practices for Achieving Color Consistency in Anodized Parts
DFM Tip: How to Handle Flatness and Parallelism Specifications in Your Print
DFM Tip: Clarify Cosmetic Surfaces to Reduce Cost and Lead Time for Contract Manufacturing
Best Practices for Measuring Holes in CNC Machined Parts
5 Benefits of Using GD&T in Complex CNC Machining
DFM Tip: Best Practices for Thread Design in Complex CNC Machining
Low Volume Swiss Turning Services for Complex Assembly Components
How Reata Engineering Expertly Manufactures Titanium Medical Components
Creative Solutions to Sourcing Problems in Contract Manufacturing
CNC Machining Case Study: TITAN CSR™ Retractor System for the Medical Industry
How Machine Monitoring Technology Helps Productivity for Contract Manufacturing
To Cast or Not to Cast? 4 Reasons to Convert from Casting to Contract Machining for Low-Volume Parts
5 Ways Reata Engineering Solves Material Sourcing and Supply Chain Problems
How Availability, Machinability, and Cost Factor Into Choosing a Stainless Steel Grade
Top 3 Non-Machinable Features to Avoid Designing Into Your Part
Reata Engineering’s Customer-Focused Approach to Design Iterations
Reata Engineering’s Proven Process for Manufacturing Success
The Advantages of Working with a Digital Machine Shop
9 Ways Our Assembly Services Will Make Your Life Easier
What It Means for Us to Be a Customer-Focused Company
Why Reata Engineering Excels at Manufacturing Complex Parts
Why AS9100 Certification Matters (Even If You Aren’t In Aerospace Manufacturing)
Reata Engineering promotes Christina Collette to Director of Operations – Denver Colorado USA February 12th, 2021
5 Reasons to Find a Machine Shop with Multi-Tasking Machines
Reata Engineering appoints new Quality Manager
Reata Engineering gave a virtual shop tour at RMTMA Ignite
Reata Engineering showcased its capabilities at the Colorado Advanced Manufacturing Association B2B conference
More New Capabilities
Reata in the News!!
Done in One

7822 South Wheeling Court,
Suite AEnglewood, CO 80112

(303) 936-1350

Facebook Twitter Linkedin

Standard Terms and Conditions of Sale

Privacy Policy

About
Careers
Services
Machining
Assembly
Partnership
Process
Blog