Author Archives: Peerless Precision

  1. Why Our In-House Precision Parts Inspection Maximizes Trust and Quality Assurance

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    At Peerless Precision, we operate in a range of demanding fields like defense and aerospace machining. There’s simply no room for error in our manufacturing—when we send a part to a customer, they need to be able to trust that we met all of their specifications and delivered a component that will perform as designed.

    While outsourcing precision parts inspection is common in our industry, we adhere to a fundamental principle: we only produce parts that we can inspect ourselves. This commitment ensures we can stand by our craftsmanship and give our customers complete confidence in our results.

    Controlling Inspection to Meet Our Promise of Quality

    When customers receive parts from us, they should never have to second-guess any aspect or verify any measurements. We never want to create additional work for our clients. Instead, when our parts arrive, you can have total confidence that we’ve met your specifications precisely, even for the tightest tolerances.

    This approach sets us apart from many shops in the manufacturing industry, who are often content to accept projects they cannot inspect themselves. In fact, many other shops send their parts to us for inspection because of our reputation for precision. However, we know that maintaining as much control as possible throughout the entire manufacturing process leads to the best possible outcomes for our customers.

    There have been instances when we have quoted projects we weren’t immediately equipped to inspect, but in those cases, we were ready to invest in expanding our inspection capabilities. We evaluate each potential equipment purchase by considering return on investment potential, tool versatility, and whether it would need to be treated as a non-recurring expense for a customer.

    Why We Avoid Outsourcing Inspections

    We understand that many manufacturers have valid reasons for sending parts to third parties for inspections, but we strongly prefer to avoid these situations for several reasons:

    Reduced Lead Times

    When parts leave our facility, we lose control over a project’s timeline. While a project may be a priority for us and our customer, we know that other shops must operate on their own schedule, potentially causing delays.

    Decreased Costs

    External inspection services add expenses that ultimately impact our customers’ bottom line. By keeping precision parts inspection in-house, we maintain greater cost-efficiency.

    Increased Control and Minimized Risk

    Every time a part moves between different facilities, there’s an increased risk of delays or even damage. By keeping the parts within our facility, we significantly reduce the number of risks a project faces.

    precision parts inspectionHow Our Expert Team Maximizes Our Advanced Equipment

    Our precision parts inspection department features a comprehensive range of measurement tools and technologies. Some of our notable capabilities include:

    • Coordinate Measuring Machines (CMMs)
    • Air gauging equipment
    • Laser micrometers
    • Instant measurement systems
    • Cylindricity measurement machines
    • Specialized gauging (ring gauges, thread gauges, go/no-go gauges)

    These tools are complemented by our operator expertise, allowing us to efficiently maximize their effectiveness. Our team has decades of experience in verifying our tight tolerance machining results, and we prioritize sharing and documenting tribal knowledge and training our employees.

    Sometimes, when other customers approach us for inspection services, they tell us that they have the necessary equipment, but their operator has retired, and they no longer have a properly trained team member.

    That will never be the case in our shop. Our emphasis on knowledge transfer means the next generation is ready to handle inspection tasks with confidence.

    Partner With Us For Guaranteed Quality

    Our commitment to in-house precision parts inspection provides peace of mind for our customers. When we quote a part, you can rest assured every critical dimension and feature will be verified, whether you need precision machining, laser welding services, or any of our other capabilities.

    Request a quote today, and let us show you the confidence that our MA machine shop can bring to your next project!

  2. From Declining to Delivering: Our Precision Machine Shop’s Relentless Commitment to Solutions

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    At Peerless Precision, we have a lot of confidence in our abilities. Our precision machine shop has been in business for a long time now, and we know we’re good at what we do. So it’s a rare moment when a customer has even more confidence in us than we have in ourselves.

    For 10 years, a long-time defense industry customer requested a part that we repeatedly declined due to its complexity. When their incumbent supplier dropped the project, they were in a desperate situation.

    Committed to being a true partner, we stepped up to help. Find out how we overcame machining challenges to perfect this part and why we always go above and beyond for our customers.

    Why We Took On This Challenging Part

    Precision machine shop

    The part was not entirely new to us—in the image above, you can see a simpler version that we’ve machined for nearly 30 years now. This is a coldfinger weldment, a critical component in the sub-micro cryogenic cooling systems for thermal imaging, night vision, and infrared cameras.

    These titanium parts already push the limits of our precision CNC machining services with a 0.003-inch wall thickness. However, the new version the customer requested is even more challenging: we would need to machine a very small gear onto the shaft, and weld a cone with walls just 0.002 inches thick onto that gear.

    Initially, coming up with a way to successfully hold and manufacture a cone with a .002″ wall thickness—while also welding the cone and the shaft together to the strict drawing requirements—had us questioning our capability to handle the part. Despite our repeated declines over the years, they continued to request the part simply because they believed in us and trusted our results. They knew we often find creative solutions through our experience and our sheer persistence.

    Flattered as we were, we never quoted the part. However, when our customer told us they ran out of options, we committed to finding a solution to the project.

    Finding the Proper Partner to Complete the Project

    In our first attempts, we discovered that our in-house laser welding services couldn’t achieve the necessary precision due to the beam being too thick. We discussed the issue with the laser equipment manufacturer, and they performed trials at their own facility in Detroit, but they also were unable to achieve the necessary specifications.

    This is where experience taught us a valuable lesson: sometimes innovation means knowing when to collaborate. We found a micro-welding specialist in Massachusetts that specializes in jewelry manufacturing. After three rounds of testing, they consistently achieved the precise welds we needed. With our customer’s approval, we moved into full production.

    Why Our Customer Always Believed in Us

    The entire process, from our initial “yes” to final production, took a year and a half of problem solving. But that persistence paid off when we not only solved our customer’s machining challenge but also expanded our network and our capabilities for future projects.

    Persistence is a core value to us here at Peerless Precision, and we don’t give up easily when we’ve made a promise. And in this project, we learned once again that persistence is as important as technical abilities. Our customer’s confidence in us wasn’t just about our precision machining skills—it was about our track record of creative problem-solving and our unwavering commitment to quality.

    What Problem Can Our Precision Machine Shop We Solve For You?

    Whether you’re a new customer or a trusted, long-time partner, we want to help you solve your toughest precision machining challenges. Whether you need tight tolerance machining, optical machining or complex CNC machined components, our AS9100 and ITAR machine shop is ready to partner with the most demanding industries to deliver exactly what you need.

    Request a quote today and let’s collaborate on your next challenge!

  3. CMMC Compliance Level 2 and Beyond: Comprehensive Data Security at Our Defense Machine Shop

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    At Peerless Precision, we know that cybersecurity is critical to earning customer trust. Our journey toward Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC) compliance began with our defense partnerships, but our commitment to protecting sensitive data extends across every industry who places trust in our precision machining services.

    We have been CMMC Level 2 compliant for several years now, maintaining a perfect compliance score. CMMC will be essential to American defense manufacturing partnerships in the coming years, and as requirements have changed we have continued to update our systems. Find out the latest on our CMMC compliance efforts, and learn how our commitment extends from our shop floor to our digital technology.

    The Evolution of CMMC

    The Department of Defense (DoD) established CMMC as a comprehensive certification and assessment program to “enforce the protection of sensitive unclassified information shared by the Department with its contractors and subcontractors.” In essence, CMMC is intended to prevent cyberattacks and protect sensitive information by ensuring DoD suppliers meet certain security standards.

    CMMC Compliance

    CMMC certification has three possible levels, with Level 3 representing the highest security tier. As subcontractors to prime contractors of the DOD, Peerless Precision must be Level 2 compliant, considered “Broad Protection of Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI)” and encompassing 110 security requirements.

    While CMMC compliance is approaching mandatory status for DoD suppliers and subcontractors, Peerless Precision has long been ahead of the curve. We implemented comprehensive security measures years before they became requirements. Just as our status as an AS9100 machine shop elevates our standards across all precision manufacturing—not just aerospace—our security measures benefit every industry we serve.

    How Our Defense Machine Shop Has Maintained CMMC Compliance

    CMMC standards have evolved, reflecting the latest changes in the cybersecurity landscape. To maintain our compliance, we have focused on several key areas:

    Strategic IT Partnership: Our collaboration with a specialized cybersecurity firm provides us with expert guidance and support throughout our security journey. This partnership ensures we stay ahead of the latest threats.

    Updated Infrastructure: We have continued to update and upgrade our hardware and software, from improved firewalls to new multi-factor authentication protocols.

    Comprehensive Staff Training: Our team undergoes regular security awareness training, covering topics such as password protection, system usage policies, and secure data handling procedures. We know that our employees are a critical first-line defense against security threats, and we always invest in their education.

    Constant Backups: We have continued our daily backup protocol, a critical part of our business continuity plan. Daily backups ensure that, in the face of any disruption or disaster, we can resume operations quickly.

    We Take Your Data Security Seriously

    As CMMC requirements continue to evolve, we remain committed to staying at the forefront of cybersecurity practices. Regular consultations with our IT partner ensure we’re always prepared for the next change in CMMC compliance.

    When you choose Peerless Precision, you’re choosing a manufacturer that approaches data security with the same attention to detail as any of our capabilities, from 5-axis machining to laser welding services. We apply our standards not just to producing your parts but to protecting every piece of data you entrust to us.

    Request a quote today and begin your next project with our precision machine shop!

  4. The Power of Determination in Precision Machining

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    It’s a lesson we all learned as children: “If at first you don’t succeed, try, try again.” But in precision manufacturing, how many attempts are reasonable when tackling challenging parts?

    At Peerless Precision, our answer is simple: as many as it takes. When we first attempted a family of parts – which we’ve now been machining for decades – we initially scrapped nearly 100 parts before finally perfecting them. When we share this story with other job shops, they’re amazed—most say they would have given up after 25 attempts if not sooner.

    That story exemplifies our determination at Peerless, where we routinely solve manufacturing challenges other shops walk away from. We sometimes even fix the problems other shops leave behind. Our problem-solving capabilities stem from three core values: unwavering persistence, deep technical expertise, and a total commitment to our partners.

    The Importance of Persistence in Precision Machining

    That hundred-part journey taught us valuable lessons about persistence. Between perfecting setups and mastering challenging features, we invested significant time and resources. But we had promised our customer a solution, and they trusted us to deliver. We knew we could succeed—we just had to keep pushing forward.

    Almost 30 years later, we’ve produced hundreds of thousands of parts for that same customer, all because we were so intent on solving the challenges of that initial batch. It’s a common thread that runs through everything we do: if we think we can manufacture a part, we completely dedicate ourselves to finding a solution to make it happen.

    The Technical Expertise to Solve Any Problem

    Persistence is a virtue, but there’s a crucial difference between pointless stubbornness and admirable determination. At Peerless Precision, our persistence is guided by our specialized capabilities and serious expertise.

    precision

    In part, our persistence is possible because our capabilities extend far beyond those in a typical shop. Our precision grinding, honing, and lapping services are increasingly rare in modern manufacturing, and they enable us to tackle precise parts that other shops can’t handle. Yet even the finest equipment requires skilled hands; our experienced team knows how to leverage these capabilities to overcome the most demanding challenges.

    Our Focus on Partnership

    Our willingness to tackle challenging parts is always guided by realistic assessments. We maintain transparent communication with customers about our capabilities and timelines, ensuring a clear understanding of progress and potential obstacles. Above all, we say “no” when we have to, even though we hate saying it.

    Our deep commitment to customer partnerships guides many of our decisions. For instance, one client recently faced supply chain disruption when their existing vendor declined to continue manufacturing their parts. We initially hesitated to take on the new project, but as we discussed their situation, we quickly realized how urgent their needs were. We took decisive action, and after a successful sample run, we assumed their full production.

    Even when we don’t have a solution, we’re not afraid to invest in new technology when needed—we first added laser welding services to solve a specific customer challenge. However, we maintain a network of trusted partners for complementary capabilities that we do not currently offer. This collaborative approach ensures we can always deliver completed parts to our customers.

    Talk to Us About Your Next Challengeprecision

    Every problem we solve teaches us something valuable, and we’re constantly improving our abilities to efficiently machine even the most challenging parts. We’re committed to finding solutions that keep our customers’ production moving forward.

    Our precision machine shop is here to help you with your next challenging part. Whether your part requires tight tolerance machining or is manufactured with difficult material, we’re ready to tackle it.

    Request a quote today and learn how we solve our customers’ issues!

  5. Investing in Excellence: How Our Tailored Training Leads to Long-Term Results

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    Manufacturing is at a pivotal point. As we welcome the next generation into the industry, we know that attracting young talent is just the beginning; the real transformation happens with hands-on, personalized training. At Peerless Precision, training isn’t just a phase—it’s an ongoing dedication to developing the skill and precision our customers rely on.

    Here’s a look into how our team’s expertise and our focus on growth ensure you’re always getting the best.

    How We Find and Grow Talent in Manufacturing

    Our team is committed to making manufacturing as exciting and opportunity-filled as ever. When young people tour our facility, they see firsthand that the industry is dynamic and technology-driven. And our team doesn’t stop at just attracting talent—we prioritize developing it.

    training

    Some claim today’s young people are different from prior generations, but we know one thing for sure: anyone with a solid work ethic can succeed. Manufacturing has evolved beyond what’s commonly taught in schools, so we meet new employees where they are, teaching from the ground up. This approach allows us to build strong, capable teams ready to deliver the results you expect, year after year.

    Training Tailored for Long-Term Results

    Our president, Kristin Carlson, deeply believes in customized training, influenced by her own experience. Back in high school, Kristin struggled with physics until she had an engaging, hands-on instructor. That experience—seeing how an adaptive style can unlock potential—inspired our company’s training philosophy.

    In the office and on the shop floor, we tailor our training to fit each team member’s learning style. Kristin encourages employees to choose the approach that suits them best—whether through hands-on experience, verbal guidance, or detailed notes. We start by placing new hires in roles aligned with their interests, providing repeated instruction, opportunities to apply their skills directly, and constructive feedback until they reach full proficiency.

    From CNC milling to lapping services, veteran staff pass along knowledge to interns and new hires. Everyone here shares expertise, ensuring that our team’s skill set stays as sharp as our precision parts.

    Committed to Continuous Learning

    Our focus on training extends well beyond initial onboarding. Through NTMA U, online courses, and seminars, we’re constantly enhancing our team’s skills—both technical and soft. From mastering 5-axis machining to building emotional intelligence, our training covers it all.

    We also tap into local and state resources, including grant-funded programs and partnerships with community colleges. This ongoing development keeps us competitive and ready to tackle even the most complex projects with confidence and expertise.

    We take training seriously because Peerless Precision offers more than a short-term job—many of our employees have been here for more than 20 years. We want team members to build rewarding, long-term careers and help us deliver consistent quality as a precision parts manufacturer for decades to come.

    Moving Forward Together on Your Next Project

    Investing in our team is an investment in our customers’ success. As our team’s skills grow, so does our ability to deliver top-notch CNC machining services with the precision and quality you expect from a trusted manufacturing partner.

    Request a quote today to see how our dedication to excellence ensures reliable quality on every project.

  6. Ensuring Precision and Trust: How First Article Inspections at Peerless Precision Guarantee Quality

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    At Peerless Precision, we specialize in precision machining for demanding industries like aerospace and defense. Some shops are intimidated by the standards required for these sectors, but we thrive on these challenges. As an AS9100 and ISO-certified machine shop, we emphasize quality in every aspect of our operations.

    First Article Inspection (FAI) is a particularly exacting process. FAI confirms every part we produce meets our clients’ specifications. With our talented workforce and state-of-the-art machining capabilities, Peerless Precision performs FAIs for the highest quality assurance and customer confidence in our results.

    What is First Article Inspection?

    An FAI is a comprehensive examination of a part against its design specifications. We conduct FAIs at the request of customers, most commonly when we produce a machined part for the first time or are manufacturing a component after a multi-year hiatus.

    An FAI is different from our typical inspection process, in which we evaluate a certain percentage of the parts as specified by the customer. For many of our clients, an FAI involves 100% inspection of the entire lot. This process is labor-intensive, but its results validate the quality of a customer’s parts, ensuring efficient future production.

    FAIs We Perform at Our Tight Tolerance Machine Shop

    At Peerless Precision, we offer a range of FAI services, including full First Article Inspections, partial First Article Inspections, and AS9102 First Article Inspections tailored for the aerospace industry.

    • Full FAI: We assess every characteristic of a part or assembly.
    • Partial FAI: We inspect only specified features.

    The two are broadly similar – in both cases, customers provide balloon drawings outlining the dimensions we must inspect, along with details about required materials and outside processes. As we conduct our inspection, we meticulously document our measurements, specify the tools used, verify the material and its origin, list special processes utilized, and detail supplier information and certifications.

    At the conclusion of our inspection, we provide this information to the customer in a Certificate of Conformance, ensuring traceability and compliance with all requirements. This comprehensive documentation establishes a quality assurance baseline for our future production runs.

    Aerospace machining projects frequently involve AS9102 First Article Inspections, which are more stringent than standard FAIs. These inspections require detailed documentation for every dimension, characteristic, and requirement of the part. As an AS9100 machine shop, we are fully equipped to perform these thorough inspections.

    Building Customer Trust Through Quality Assurance

    first article inspections

    First Article Inspections are vital in building customer confidence in our products. They not only document our results, they also help us identify and address potential quality issues before they impact production. We approach FAIs with exceptional attention to detail, recognizing their importance in establishing and maintaining customer trust.

    To ensure accuracy, we employ sophisticated measuring tools that are calibrated on a yearly basis. Our facility houses Coordinate Measuring Machines for complex geometries, cylindricity inspection machines for circular parts, and instant measurement machines for rapid data collection, alongside traditional tools like micrometers and calipers. If a customer’s project will require specialized inspection tools, we’re open to discussing an investment in new equipment to meet your needs.

    While our advanced technology is essential, our skilled inspectors are our greatest asset. Each FAI is conducted by our most senior inspectors, all of whom also have a background in machining. This dual expertise enables them to identify issues and communicate effectively with our machinists to implement necessary process corrections. Their technical knowledge sets our inspections apart, guaranteeing the best possible outcomes for our customers.

    Experience Our Commitment to Quality

    When we perform an FAI, you can rest assured that the parts shipped will meet or exceed all your requirements. With over 12 years of First Article Inspections under our belt and no customer rejections, we provide the reliability you can count on.

    We invite you to discuss your next project with us and experience our commitment to quality firsthand. Request a quote today and see how Peerless Precision can meet your machining needs.

  7. Mastering Material Sourcing: Navigating Pricing and Lead Times

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    It’s hard to believe, but we’re coming up on the 5-year anniversary of the start of the pandemic. The manufacturing industry was hit hard, with supply chains thrown into disarray, and material pricing and availability becoming volatile. While the headlines about these disruptions have faded, the aftershocks are still felt and many customers might assume prices have stabilized. And while supply levels and pricing have certainly improved, there is still lingering disruption.

    Before and After at Peerless Precision

    Until recent years, we were able to confidently send quotes that were valid for 30 days. Not only that, when we quoted a repeat part, we’d simply be able to check historical pricing and quickly send it out. If we had purchased material within the past six months, we trusted that its price wouldn’t fluctuate more than 10% either way, and we rarely worried about supply shortages. But all that has changed.

    Today, pricing and lead time are difficult to predict across all materials. Exotic materials, unsurprisingly, are particularly challenging and can have long lead times. But even common materials like aluminum have undergone significant price spikes and seen major volatility over the past several years.

    Now, if we haven’t ordered a material within the past month, we’ll re-quote the price. When we send quotes to customers, they’re typically only valid from 1-5 business days. If we don’t receive a quick response from our customers, that pricing could very well change and the material may no longer be available.

    material pricing

    Collaborating for Improved Pricing

    To ensure you get the best value and meet your project deadlines, collaboration is key. In today’s challenging material sourcing landscape, open communication and a strategic approach can make all the difference. Here’s how we can work together to navigate this new reality:

    1. Talk to us about timing. Pricing and lead time can sometimes be correlated – if you are ready to pay a higher price, you can find a better lead time. Similarly, a customer who is willing to wait several months may be able to find much better pricing. This is why we always try to take a collaborative approach and talk to you about the bigger picture of your project to determine the best solution.
    2. Share Your Material Sources. If you have a material supplier, let us know. Some customers have contracts or purchasing agreements with material houses or mills, giving them access to better pricing. If you can provide the material, we won’t bill you for it, and it could improve both your pricing and lead times.
    3. Communicate As Early As Possible. We’re currently telling customers: if you need something in three months, give us the purchase order five months before you need it. This isn’t a hard and fast rule, but it’s a helpful rule of thumb in the current material landscape. Many aluminum alloys are becoming harder to obtain, while specialized aerospace machining materials, like Greek Ascoloy, can take months. Beyond being sure that you’re selecting the right material for your parts, the best thing you can do is give us plenty of advance notice. And if we receive the material well before your part is due, we’re happy to store it on our shelves.

    Why You Can Trust Our MA Machine Shop

    At Peerless Precision, honesty and transparency are core to our values. We believe in telling it like it is. While we might not always say what you want to hear, you can trust that it’s the truth.

    In challenging times like these, honesty is more important than ever. Customers always want to be sure they’re getting the best price, so we are transparent with pricing. If customers provide us with sources, we show them the quotes we received – which can vary widely in pricing and lead time.

    Above all, it’s vital to talk to us about your project as soon as possible. The sooner we start discussing your project, the better we can manage lead times and ensure all aspects run smoothly. While the complexities of today’s market may mean adjusting timelines, our focus remains on delivering quality results, on time, every time.

    Contact us today to request a quote and let’s get your project moving.

  8. Peerless Precision: Your Trusted Partner in Space Industry Manufacturing

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    At Peerless Precision, our expertise in CNC machining services makes us a reliable partner across various industries. We take pride in showcasing our contributions to these sectors, demonstrating why we’re the preferred choice for precision manufacturing. In this spotlight, we’re highlighting our work with the space industry.

    From the International Space Station to Lunar Missions

    space industry

    Peerless Precision has been a trusted partner to the space industry for decades. Our journey began in the early 2000s, when we had the privilege of manufacturing components that became integral parts of the International Space Station. Contributing to such a monumental project was an exciting milestone for our precision machine shop, marking the start of our enduring relationship with the space sector.

    Over the years, we’ve continued to collaborate with leading space companies, manufacturing key components such as spacecraft doors, mounting plates, and lids—all crafted to meet the rigorous standards of the space industry.

    Providing Solutions for Space Industry Challenges

    Recently, we partnered with an eastern Massachusetts company contracted to produce parts for an upcoming lunar landing module. Their components required a cryogenic seal, but they struggled to achieve the precise finish needed, resulting in parts that didn’t fit together correctly. After discovering us online, they visited our facility and entrusted us with the parts to see if we could deliver the necessary results.

    Our team of experts was able to achieve the exact finish they required, ensuring their end customer’s satisfaction. This successful collaboration has since led to ongoing production orders, with the company machining the parts and sending them to us for lapping services.

    This partnership is a great example of what we always say at Peerless Precision: we’re the solution providers, not the problem creators.

    Why Space Industry Leaders Choose Peerless Precision

    There are several reasons why companies in the space industry choose Peerless Precision as their manufacturing partner:

    1. Certifications: At Peerless Precision, we hold essential certifications for space industry work, including ITAR registration and AS9100, ISO 9001:2015. We are also fully compliant with Level 2 Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC), and we are certified by the Joint Certification Program.
    2. Tight Tolerances: Space industry components demand extremely tight tolerances, and this is where we excel. We can achieve tolerances as precise as +/- 5 millionths of an inch, ensuring that every part meets the exacting requirements of space applications.
    3. Material Expertise: Working with materials that are lightweight, strong, and resilient under extreme conditions is a key aspect of aerospace machining. We are experts in machining aluminum, titanium, various steels, plastics, tungsten, and more.
    4. Advanced Capabilities: Our proficiency in lapping, grinding, and honing with very tight tolerances is essential for space-related projects. Additionally, we specialize in finishing processes that ensure components achieve the necessary cryogenic seals for space missions.
    5. Low-Volume and Prototyping Excellence: As specialists in low-volume and prototype machining, we have extensive experience in the iterative process and problem-solving that these projects often require. Our expertise makes us ideal partners for perfecting your space industry products.

    Partner with Us for Your Next Space Project

    If you’re in the space industry and seeking a reliable partner for your next project, Peerless Precision is here to help. With our extensive experience and advanced capabilities, we’re equipped to meet your exacting standards.

    Contact us today to request a quote—and don’t worry, we’ll make sure your project is out of this world (in the best way possible)!

  9. Design for Manufacturing: Surface Flatness, Mating Parts, Wall Thickness and Undercuts

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    In our day-to-day work at Peerless Precision, we’re constantly seeing new designs for CNC machined parts. And after working on so many of them, we recognize a few common design decisions that can have an unexpected effect on price and lead time. These aren’t design errors, but instead, they’re choices where an alternative decision could save a customer valuable time and money.

    This is the essence of “design for manufacturing” (DfM), an approach that aims to identify cost-effective practices for producing parts without compromising on quality or functionality. We always like to ensure customers know that certain features, such as tight tolerances, may increase the cost or time for manufacturing a part. It’s important for us to provide our customers with all the information possible about how different design choices could potentially lower their prices.

    design for manufacturingThese are four of the most common areas where we offer DfM tips to maximize our customer results.

    Surface Flatness

    We are capable of achieving extremely flat parts at Peerless, but we always try to work with customers to make sure they understand how flatness can impact pricing. Flatness can be difficult to achieve after certain processes like heat-treating or when using strong materials like titanium.

    Sometimes we discuss the impact of a certain level of flatness with customers, and they decide the part will be just as functional with a less perfectly flat surface. For instance, one recent part request we received had strict flatness requirements, and we discussed with the customer the effect this would have on pricing and timeline. They decided that the part wouldn’t lose any functionality with a lower degree of flatness.

    design for manufacturingMating Parts

    Mating parts is a strength of ours at Peerless Precision. After all, it’s how we initially got our foot in the door of this industry 30 years ago in aerospace machining.

    However, even our experienced team may encounter challenges when designs lack sufficient clearance between mating parts. The amount of clearance significantly impacts the time and cost of manufacturing, so organizations should ensure that the clearance matches the part’s intended function.

    One suggestion in our DfM eBook is to use fractional diameter holes in the corners so the manufacturer can simply drill out and then machine the profile. This isn’t always aesthetically pleasing, but it will decrease the time and cost to manufacture. This may be a good choice for parts that are not visible in the final application.

    Wall Thickness

    In our eBook, we recommend that “the machined part wall thickness should be greater than .060 inches. If walls are too thin the part may distort and warp, especially if using a plastic material.” That being said, we can go under .060 inches, but it might be difficult.

    Recently, we began working on a part that has a titanium shaft welded to a cone. The titanium shaft has a wall thickness of .003 inches and the cone has a wall thickness of .002. We asked our customer if their previous supplier had been able to achieve the wall thickness for the cone. They said that, in fact, the previous supplier could only achieve .003 – but that the part had worked as functioned. This information changed our approach to the part, and any sort of context or background information a customer can give us about a part can often be very helpful in the manufacturing process.

    Undercuts

    In our DfM guide, we note that “undercuts should be avoided as they add cost and possibly lead time to the part.” However, some parts do require undercuts. In that case, it’s just important that a customer understands this feature will affect price. If a customer wants a part made without undercuts, we are happy to discuss how a new design could potentially avoid these features.

    These are just a few tips, but at Peerless Precision, we have decades of advice and expertise we’d love to share with you. Request a quote today to discover how our expert CNC machining services and extensive knowledge can benefit your next project!

  10. A MA Machine Shop Owner on Why Manufacturing Is a Fulfilling Career Path

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    By Kristin Carlson, Owner of Peerless Precision

    I grew up working alongside my dad in his workshop, and those are some of my fondest memories from my childhood. When I was ten, he brought home some bicycle parts, and we built a ten-speed bicycle together. I remember building furniture and so many other things with him.

    It was then that my passion for precision machining was sparked, though it would take me a long time to realize that my love for working with my hands and tinkering with pieces that made up a whole could actually translate into a career path.

    Like many people, I fell into the trap of believing that college was the “right choice” for me. I had no idea that a hands-on job like manufacturing could be a viable, fulfilling career.

    College Isn’t the Only Path to a Fulfilling Career

    I’ve always thought it absurd that we as a society pressure teenagers to decide what they want to do for the rest of their lives—especially when they don’t have all the information about the different opportunities available to them.

    Go to college, join the military, or work a minimum-wage job with no growth path. More often than not, high school students are given those options for what to do after they graduate. Many choose to go to college and, in doing so, take on a mountain of debt with no real guarantee of a return on their investment. It’s no surprise that an increasing number of Americans say a 4-year degree isn’t worth the cost.

    What I want young people to know is that there’s another option that isn’t always made clear to them: learning a skilled trade, like precision machining.

    I want them to know that getting a job in manufacturing requires only a high school diploma or equivalent and that they can earn $40,000 annually starting out. I want them to know that their manufacturing job can easily become a fulfilling career filled with growth opportunities and the potential to eventually earn a six-figure salary.

    Even better, many manufacturing companies, including my MA machine shop, reimburse manufacturing workers for the costs of professional development. Essentially, young people have the opportunity to learn, grow, advance, and make more money without taking on a dollar of debt.

    Manufacturing Touches Every Aspect of Life

    Some people may wonder, “How can a career in precision machining be so fulfilling?” I’m happy to share my perspective on the matter.

    What it comes down to, for me, is that manufacturing touches every aspect of human life and truly makes the world go ‘round. This fact has become increasingly clear to me throughout my career in the industry and my time spent networking with other US manufacturing professionals.

    Look up into the sky, and every plane or helicopter you see contains hundreds of thousands of parts made in MA machine shops like Peerless Precision. (There’s a reason they call this region of the country Aerospace Alley). It’s impossible not to take immense pride in that.

    US manufacturers make parts for the International Space Station and parts for lunar landing modules. They make parts for the cars you drive and the phone you’re probably holding in your hand right now. I even know a shop that makes an injection needle for a certain peanut butter cup that most of us wouldn’t want to live without!

    Manufacturing makes people’s lives better. It even saves lives. I have a friend who works at a company that makes needles for biopsies. She was recently diagnosed with breast cancer, and when she needed a biopsy, it was done with the needle her company made. I was at an NTMA conference recently, and one of my colleagues had a knee replacement a few years ago. It turned out the guy he was sitting next to had made that knee.

    There aren’t many other career paths where you can have these kinds of experiences—where you can have such a sense of pride and accomplishment in contributing to something that makes a material difference in the world.

    From College Dropout to MA Machine Shop Owner

    career path

    I learned these lessons about manufacturing the long and hard way. I went to college, thinking that was what I was “supposed to do”—and I dropped out. I don’t regret going. I had fun. I met my husband, who also dropped out. Today, he’s one of the top finishing machinists in the country, and I own a machine shop. Both of us couldn’t be happier in our manufacturing careers.

    There’s no one right path for everyone. We all have to take our different journeys. What I want you to know—whether you’re just starting your career or considering a career change—is that manufacturing is a deeply fulfilling path for many people. It’s here for you if you want it, so don’t be afraid to pursue it.

    Contact Peerless Precision to learn how you can start a career in precision machining!