No two CNC machining partners will produce the same results, even if their listed capabilities and specifications are identical. Manufacturers specialize in different machining styles, industries, materials, and components. Providers can also vary in terms of quality control, compliance with certain industry standards, and lead time.
At Fisher Barton, we’re committed to providing quality services and products with every order. Our focus on material sciences and our unique methodology, called Metallurgy Mastered, guarantees that we can offer superior production capabilities for parts with complex geometries. Driven by our culture of continuous innovation, we bring over a century of machining and metallurgical experience to every project.
To find your ideal CNC machining partner, consider the following most important factors and learn how Fisher Barton satisfies every criterion.
Factors to Consider
Machining partners need to meet specific criteria to successfully serve your organization. For example, you may need quick production cycles during peak seasons, or you may frequently need custom machining and prototyping services for new projects. Use these four factors to start building your list of necessary criteria.
Capabilities
Each CNC machining partner brings different skills and equipment to the table. Similar to hiring a new employee, take the time to interview each company to ensure you’re getting the best value and capabilities for your money. During your interviews, ask about:
- How long they’ve provided CNC machining services
- Their experience in your specific industry or market niche
- What equipment they use and what volumes they can achieve
- If they have past customers you can talk to
At Fisher Barton, we have over 100 years of metallurgical and machining experience and offer everything from prototyping to full-scale production.
Experience
CNC machining requires skilled machinists and high-quality equipment. The more years of experience your prospective machining partners have, the better. Your ideal services provider should have extensive experience in your industry and with the machines they use. Choosing your CNC machining partner based on experience provides these advantages:
- Less risk of subpar components that don’t meet specifications and must be scrapped
- Reduced material waste due to rework
- Faster project completion
- Better overall product quality
Fisher Barton invests in our in-house Fisher Barton Technology Center to continuously develop our understanding of new materials. Our R&D engineers use advanced analytical tools to study tool steel, high-carbon steels, ceramics, titanium, and more. We also have years of experience with advanced coating solutions that provide dielectric strength, thermal protection, and increasingly powerful resistance against corrosion and wear damage.
Price
Price is another important consideration. While production needs to be cost-effective and stay within project budgets, simply choosing the lowest available price can negatively affect product quality, reliability, or customer service. Instead of gauging cost in isolation, companies should assess the overall value that prospective machining partners provide.
Consider competitively priced machining services from Fisher Barton. We’re continually developing products that last longer and provide superior performance throughout their lifespan, which reduces long-term maintenance costs, downtime, and replacements.
Reliability
The right machining partner will also offer reliability in terms of customer service and order fulfillment. Indications of excellent reliability include:
- Fast communication and response times
- Prioritization of your timeline and product needs throughout process selection, material selection, and production timetable
- Ability and willingness to accommodate unique project requirements
- Consistent adherence to precise specifications with tight tolerances
By interviewing your potential machining partners and researching their past performance, you can accurately judge their commitment to reliable service.
Contact the Experts at Fisher Barton
At Fisher Barton, we work hard to deliver consistent product quality, customer service, and reliability. We specialize in high-wear and high-performance components for a variety of markets, including aerospace, agriculture, construction, oil and gas, mining, transportation, and more. Our teams continually advance their understanding of material sciences and develop new proprietary solutions in heat treating and thermal spraying.
Fisher Barton produces high-quality goods through our full-service manufacturing capabilities, which include:
- Bending
- Casting
- Cutting
- Forming
- Machining
- Stamping
- Welding
Contact us today to learn more about our services and how we can support your project.