As a global leader in manufacturing, China has become a key player in the CNC machining world. Today, there are numerous CNC machining and rapid prototyping shops and services based in China which serve not only local manufacturing markets but the larger global industry.
This article will guide you through the reasons to outsource your CNC machining parts to China, and the factors you should notice when selecting China’s CNC precision machining manufacturers.
Why work with an external CNC machining shop?
First, it is worthwhile to look at why a business should consider working with an external CNC machine or rapid prototyping service in the first place.
First of all, the key reason that companies turn to external manufacturers is machine cost. State-of-the-art CNC machine systems, post-processing systems and other industrial equipment are extremely costly—often prohibitively so for small or medium-sized businesses. By working with an external CNC machine shop, businesses can leverage the benefits of industrial machining technologies without having to invest significant capital in expensive hardware.
In addition to circumventing high equipment costs, businesses that work with CNC machine companies save on labor and training costs. That is, CNC machining is a complex process that requires specialized training to operate, meaning that companies working with the technology in house must have highly skilled, CNC-trained operators in their workforce. By outsourcing CNC machining jobs to a specialized service, companies can exploit the benefits of the technology without incurring labor and training costs associated with the process.
Why outsourcing rapid prototyping needs to China?
Choosing to work with a rapid prototyping company in China reinforces and adds to the benefits of working with an external CNC machining service provider.
Compared to most western manufacturing companies, Chinese rapid prototyping services such as RapidDirect offer substantially lower prices thanks to a number of factors, including low raw material costs, low labor costs and thin profit margins.
Better still, factors traditionally seen as disadvantages of outsourcing to China are becoming less and less relevant. Improved communication via the internet means businesses can keep track of their machined parts as easily as if they were just next door. And rapid machining services coupled with fast delivery options mean fast turnarounds despite the geographical distance.
China has also taken dramatic steps to improve its intellectual property laws, which means customers can feel confident handing their designs over to a Chinese machine shop for production.
Finally, China is becoming increasingly dominant in the CNC machining and rapid prototyping markets because of the quality of its production services. Despite lower labor costs in the country, the level of skill in the manufacturing sector—and especially CNC machine operating—is high. In other words, the lower cost of production is not an indication of lower quality parts.
Still, despite these general benefits of working with a China-based CNC machining company, there are a number of elements that can help customers sift through and choose which rapid prototyping shop to work with.
How to choose the right CNC machine shop in China?
So far, I believe that you’ve grown some interest in finding a CNC machining service in China, I mean, at least take a try, request a quote to see the price. Well, below are a number of important factors that can help you and your business find the right CNC machining partner in China.
1. Certifications
When exploring outsourcing options for rapid prototyping and production, one of the most important things in choosing a manufacturing partner is checking their certifications to see if they align with the type of product you are seeking to produce. If, for instance, a customer is ordering a part for the medical industry, the CNC machine shop should have the appropriate certifications and stringent quality control processes needed for the healthcare industry.
2. Quality control
In a similar vein, it is important to establish what quality control equipment and processes a CNC machining service offers, including raw material inspection, in-process quality checks, finished part inspection and outgoing quality control. A CNC machining company that provides a comprehensive and state-of-the-art quality control workflow will ensure that your prototypes and products are up to the highest standard.
3. Communication
As mentioned above, one of the previous challenges of western companies working with China-based rapid prototyping and manufacturing companies has been communication. And though the internet has made it significantly easier for international customers to keep in close contact with Chinese manufacturers, it is still important to establish a good rapport with a company before diving into a manufacturing partnership.
At RapidDirect, for instance, we make sure to speak with our prospective clients to guarantee there is a clear understanding of the project at hand. Additionally, not only will we work transparently with our clients to complete production, but our experts will also help to optimize and improve products and manufacturing where possible.
4. Production capabilities
This next point may seem obvious but is still worth highlighting. If you are searching for a Chinese rapid prototyping company to work with, be sure to check that it has the right equipment and production capabilities to fulfill your order, including CNC milling and turning machines, multi-axis machining systems and more. In addition to production hardware, ensure that the company is familiar with and works with the type of material you require, whether it is metal, plastic or other.
5. Place a small order as trial
Lastly, to ensure that a prospective CNC machining company in China can meet the quality requirements for a specific part or product, it is advisable to first order a prototype of the part. At no big expense to the client, a prototype will enable them to check that a particular CNC machining company is able to produce the part up to certain standards and in good time. At RapidDirect, we guarantee that prototypes are machined and delivered within just three days so that clients can quickly decide to move ahead with an order.
Conclusion
By the end of the article, I believe you should have known the reasons to work with a CNC machining service in China, whether for rapid prototyping or custom production. In addition, you should also have learned the factors to consider when choosing a Chinese company to work with.
To end with, I wish to recommend RapidDirect – the trending platform for rapid prototyping and custom manufacturing that allows you to get free quotations, design for manufacturing analysis and professional engineering suggestions. All you need to do is simply upload your design files and specify your needs, and we will get to you in as fast as one hour.
Getting interested? Click the button below and give it a try today!
