Stecker Machine Blog

What do you need from CNC tooling?

• Precision (of course) — Th​​e ultimate measuring stick of every CNC machining project, precision requires more than just the right capabilities
• Reliable rigidity — A tool must maintain its shape, remain stable, and resist flexing or vibrating during cutting operations
• Solid durability — Getting long lifetime value out of a tool is a cost-control measure that affects the bottom line, making durability an important Key Performance Indicator
• Easy installation/adjustment — Being able to easily change out and adjust tooling isn’t just efficient, it makes life better for the CNC operator

Modern CNC machine shops have a choice to make. They can approach sales as just another part of doing business, or they can do more to stand out.

Design changes. They are an inevitable part of manufacturing, yet they can aggravate even the most experienced parts manufacturer.

Design changes are notorious for adding time, headaches, and unplanned dollars to a project. They’ve also been known to sabotage solid business relationships. But, with the right approach, you can implement manufacturing design changes smoothly and cost-effectively.

What is nightmare fuel for machine shop production managers? Machine downtime.

According toFlexJobs’ 2023 Spring Work Insights Survey, 58% of employed workers said they’re actively trying to make a career change. That's a huge number!

Why a career change for these jobseekers? Well, #2 on a long list was “higher pay” at 48% (slightly ahead was “remote work options” at 50%). 

So, changing careers isn’t all about money; it’s also about work flexibility, work/life balance, job satisfaction, workplace leadership, a new life philosophy, or working in a field that benefits the world.

You’re not asking for much. Reliable CNC machined parts and products that make customers happy. Simple, right?

Different types of CNC machines, and their various processes, handle different custom machining projects. That’s not exactly breaking news. Yet, what may be unclear is which major factors impact machine parts cost.

Solid client-vendor relationships are vital to any company’s success. So much is on the line: quality, customer service, efficiencies, low costs, supply chain integration, future growth, and much more.

A poor relationship invites miscommunication, contentiousness, quality issues, and missed deadlines. In fact, organizations should nurture vendor relationships similarly to how they focus on customer loyalty.

Each CNC machine shop must have similar capabilities to other shops, right? Not at all! They do vary in their skill levels and abilities to take on complex parts. That extreme precision demands the accuracy of CNC machine tools, along with experienced operators.

Every CNC machine shop is different. No surprise, right? Yet, what telltale signs distinguish one from another? Here’s a pro tip …

Study how they approach new work — from acquiring it to delivering it — throughout the organization.

Some CNC machine shops are content with machining what they know and handling familiar project types and quantities. Their work is solid, and they’ve built a fine, safe business.