The Importance of Flexible, Modern Equipment for an Aerospace Contract CNC Manufacturer

In the world of contract aerospace CNC manufacturing, flexible, modern equipment is one of the important factors that defines capabilities and determines success. Contract manufacturers must be agile as they navigate the challenges of the aerospace marketplace where flexibility is an essential attribute. Customers products and schedules are almost always in a state of change. An aerospace contract manufacturer must be ready and malleable, ready to respond to meeting existing customer needs and able to address new opportunities and new customers, all with unique materials, tolerances, geometries and delivery requirements.

We at Intrex understand this manufacturing-market dynamic and with our ongoing capital equipment upgrades have aligned our business to meet the market demands. The CNC machine tools sitting on our shop floor are more than just balance sheet assets. They determine the type of work we can do, how cost-effective we are, and answer the most important question; does it meet our customers’ needs and expectations.

Capability

The most compelling reason for capital investment is maintaining a competitive advantage. Being competitive allows us to not only survive but surpass customer expectations. Many of todays outsourced manufactured components are complicated. In aerospace manufacturing the “norm” is machining complex shapes from various materials with in sub-thousandth tolerances. These types of complicated parts are outsourced to shops with the machine tools and systems that can handle it. A contract manufacturer just running decades old two-axis lathes and three-axis machining centers will have a difficult time competing, regardless of the skill level of their work force. Modern multi-axis mill/turn centers with ATC’s, high speed spindles and some level of automation, address many of the needs in the modern aerospace market of tighter tolerance control, while also providing production flexibility.

Accuracy, Repeatability, Uptime

Thanks to advances in machine tool design: thermal compensation, linear scales, direct-drive motors, and closed-loop feedback systems, today’s CNC equipment holds tighter tolerances. Our latest investments in CNC machines are fundamentally more precise than their predecessors. Some of our new equipment is accompanied with automation that require less operator invention, allowing our workforce to focus more on improving quality and maximizing efficiencies.

Also aging equipment fails more often. Maintaining machine uptimes is critical and for an aerospace contract manufacturer.  Meeting promised deliveries cannot be achieved with older unreliable equipment. Modern machines, still within their service life and supported by the OEM, offer far greater reliability and faster access to warranty service and spare parts.

Attracting and Retaining a Skilled Workforce

This dimension is underestimated and is not often mentioned in relationship to the values associated with having modern equipment, but it is a factor.  Experienced CNC machinists and programmers with employment options gravitate toward shops with modern CNC machines, controls and system software.  It’s a signal not only to the customer but to the workforce that leadership is serious, forward-thinking, and focused on long-term commitments.

Summary

Capital investment in machine tools is not optional for a healthy contract manufacturer — it is a strategic necessity. You cannot stand still. Deferring capital investment until an aging machine fails, can provide an erosion of your competitive advantage. We at Intrex know the advantages of having modern well-maintained equipment and continue to make capital investments that will keep us competitive. If you would like to see a listing of all our equipment, please click here.

We Would Like to Hear from You

If you would like to have a conversation with us, we would welcome the opportunity. Please click here for contact information.