If your business develops products, you likely already know how crucial lead time is to your success. After all, the quicker you can fulfill orders, the more orders you can take, allowing for increased revenue.
One way to reduce lead time is through computer numerical control (CNC) machining. While CNC machining has multiple benefits, getting completed products to your customers in time is certainly one of its biggest advantages.
Before you can understand how CNC machining can help you cut back on your lead times, you must first know what it is. CNC refers to a machining process using preprogrammed computer software that directs and guides the movement of tools and machinery. CNC machining can perform various tasks, like drilling, cutting and finishing, and allows for greater precision in the product development process.
Because CNC uses code to determine its path, it’s much quicker and more accurate than if your employees were to perform these tasks manually. The risk of error is also much lower. CNC is commonly used for part production, making it popular in the aviation and automotive industries. It can also be used for components in oil and gas, aerospace, electronics and more.
Some of the main benefits of reducing how long it takes to fulfill orders are:
Here are a few of the top ways to implement lead time reduction with CNC machining:
Because CNC machines are pre-coded, they aren’t limited to working hours for production like humans are. This means they can work longer hours, leading to quicker completion times. Machines generally perform tasks much faster than humans, especially when it comes to parts requiring intricate detailing that might be time-consuming if done manually.
CNC machines are more precise than manual processing, especially in complex projects. Where an intense project may require hours of concentration from multiple people, machines do it in a fraction of the time — while your employees spend their workday on other tasks.
Humans make mistakes, especially with more challenging parts, which can lead to delays. CNC machining reduces this risk, allowing you to reduce errors and improve delivery times. Additionally, customers can expect more precise and accurate parts and components.
If you want to give your business a competitive advantage, you should provide custom products that set you apart from similar businesses on the market. You need to adapt your processes to suit your customers’ specific needs. CNC machining helps you achieve this through customization.
If you already have multiple custom products catering to a wide range of your customers’ needs, and you have the CNC codes written for those processes, you save time creating a unique process for each client, which helps you complete products quicker.
CNC machining allows you to take on more projects and create a greater variety of products. Even if traditional methods prevent certain processes, technological advancements mean you are much more likely to accomplish the desired result.
Instead of having to set up multiple machines to cut or create one part in a complex arrangement, you can make a code and do it all at once with a CNC machine.
If you want to use CNC machining to accelerate product development, understanding these best practices and implementing them in your processes will help:
When using CNC machining, you must set up the right parts. Depending on the scale of the components you’re working on, you may even require multiple machines. However, you should try to find ways to maximize your setup with as few steps as possible to minimize delays and maximize output. Doing so will save you time, allowing you to move material through production much faster.
You can reduce the complexity of your setup in multiple ways, including consolidating part designs, optimizing tool selection and implementing automation technologies.
The CNC machine plays the most significant role in moving quickly through cutting or drilling parts, but the materials you use also factor in. For example, choose easy-to-handle materials and consider selecting precut standard sizes, as this will reduce the amount of cutting and processing you will need to do on your end.
One of the biggest advantages of CNC machining is that you can implement cost savings in various ways, such as only running the machines when necessary and using as much material as possible without throwing anything away. Since one of the aims of reducing your lead time is to help you save money, implementing additional cost-saving measures is a good idea.
Pursuing more eco-friendly measures in product development supports the environment, boosts your brand image and enables your business to save money. CNC machining can improve material efficiency by minimizing waste and enhance product life cycle through high-quality components, contributing to sustainability goals. Additionally, CNC machines can work with various materials, including sustainably sourced and recycled materials.
American Micro Industries is a veteran-founded business with decades of experience in CNC machining. Based in Pennsylvania, we’re specialists in made-to-order parts. Some of our service areas include aerospace, marine, military and technology, and we can also assist in CNC machining for product development in electronics, medical and more.
If you’re interested in using CNC machining in accelerating product development, you can rely on us as your trusted custom component manufacturer. We offer excellent customer service, fast turnaround times and extensive in-house manufacturing capabilities. Browse our service page or contact us to learn how we can help you use CNC machining for faster product development.
