How to Use Datums to Get the Part You Want
In precision machining, datums make everyone’s lives easier. Datums are lines, planes, or points that serve as a reference for consistently measuring and locating part features. These perpendicular reference points are often marked on a schematic with a boxed letter and an arrow. When used correctly, they ensure a part functions as intended. Precision machining […]
Celebrating Our 30th Anniversary with a Look Back at How We Got Here
Here at Reata Engineering, we’re celebrating our 30th anniversary as a trusted contract manufacturing company. Since our founding in 1993, we’ve grown to employ a team of 45 and invested in 15 CNC production machines. And we’re still going strong. Now, our services accommodate customers through the entire manufacturing process, from design to fulfillment. Our […]
How We’re Using AI to Improve Our Manufacturing Processes
Reata is a future-focused precision machine shop. We believe manufacturing is at an inflection point and that opting into AI is critical to staying competitive on the world’s stage. We’re proud to say that we’re leading the way in embracing AI and have integrated some of the latest and greatest solutions into our company’s processes. […]
Why Low-Volume, High-Mix Shops Make Great Manufacturing Partners
If you have a small order and are on a tight deadline, reach out to Reata Engineering. We have built a reputation for being a low-volume, high-mix precision machine shop you can trust to fulfill your orders quickly and cost-effectively. Low-Volume, High-Mix Manufacturing Is Our Specialty So, what does “low volume” mean for a manufacturing […]
A One-Stop Shop for Complex Assembly Projects
Managing a complex assembly project is a lot like conducting an orchestra. An intricate blend of time management and strategic execution is required to oversee various moving pieces in pursuit of a specific result. In the case of an assembly, those moving pieces include: Precision machining custom parts Ordering off-the-shelf components Coordinating outside processes At […]
How Industry 4.0 Is Transforming Our Contract Manufacturing Shop
Reata Engineering is proud to be an early adopter of Industry 4.0 technologies. Industry 4.0 has taken our contract manufacturing shop from automated to connected. In other words, our machines can now talk to each other. This connectivity delivers mountains of data for us to analyze and act upon, putting our continuous improvement efforts into […]
How Our New Scanning CMM Improves Inspection Capabilities
Reata Engineering recently welcomed our first scanning coordinate measuring machine (CMM) into our precision machine shop. We installed the Hexagon GLOBAL S CMM to replace an older piece of CMM equipment, dramatically improving our precision machining measurement capabilities. So, how is this new scanning CMM different from our old CMM? While our last machine took […]
5 Reasons Contract Manufacturing Customers Love Reata’s Quotes
At Reata Engineering, our focus on customer experience heavily influences our quoting process for contract manufacturing customers. We rely on a combination of old-fashioned listening and cutting-edge quoting software to ensure our customers receive excellent service right from the beginning. The quoting software’s costing table breakdown allows us to micro-manage our quotes so that we can […]
Reata’s Customer Service Standards as Your Contract Manufacturing Partner
Reata Engineering is a customer service organization first and a contract manufacturing partner second. We’ve worked hard to cultivate a culture of service in our company and aim to exceed manufacturing industry benchmarks in customer service. But don’t just take our word for it… “Grady and the Reata team have been a pleasure to work […]
Decoding Machinist Speak: Surface Finish vs. Finishing in Contract Machining
Do you know the difference between “finish” and “finishing” in precision machining? If you aren’t embedded in the world of contract machining like we are, it’s easy to confuse these two terms. However, engineers must understand the distinction so that they can communicate their precise needs and avoid issues regarding costs, lead time, and quality. […]