Cost Effective Designing

for Machined Production


Dear [[^^name^^||Current Subscriber]],  

 

I know this is pretty basic, but sometimes we just need to be reminded that for the most part, there are really two things that drive pricing in a design.    The first is tight tolerancing requirements. The tighter the tolerance, the more difficult it will be to hold, thus requiring both more set-up,  run-time and in-process inspection. Ask yourself if this tight of a tolerance is really necessary and why? Can something else be changed to accomodate the design manufacturability? ultra-sound_housings.jpg

The second thing that determines cost is material selection. Can we use 303 SST versus 304 SST? 303 SST is much easier to machine, but if it needs to be welded then 304 SST would be required. High nickel alloys are also difficult to machine due to hardness and toughness. Harder materials cause tooling breakage, which will cause tool change time and tooling costs to be built into the price.  In general terms plastics are not difficult to machine but each will have their own set of challenges. 

When you have a question about the design and how it may affect pricing, it could be beneficial to you to pick up the phone and ask your machinist. His input could save you alot of time, headache & company funds! Especially when you are up against deadline constraints!

 

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E2 SHOPTECH  IMPLEMENTATION

We are pleased to announce that we will be implementing a new shop software system at CrossWind Machining!  The E2 Shop System is designed for the contract manufacturing business, and the Shoptech Corporation has built an unmatched reputation of providing easy-to-use software for machine shops, job shops and a growing variety of make-to-order manufacturers. We are fully expecting E2 to help us identify our weaknesses, improve efficiencies & give us greater flexibility. We appreciate our customers and are looking forward to serving you more effectively with a fully integrated system. Our 'go live'  target around the end of March, 2010.

CrossWind Machining sponsors MMA Strikeforce Challenger

Steve.jpgFor those of you who have not visited us in awhile, we have a new trophy case in our front reception area! These are not "trophy" parts/components that we manufacture, but are trophies of a whole different nature.  CrossWind sponsors Steve Dickey, an MMA fighter and we are excited to tell you that he is 3-0 in his cage fight events and has earned the opportunity to be on the Feb 26, gloves.jpg2010 Strikeforce Challengers ticket in San Jose, CA at the Civic Auditorium. Steve holds the 2008 Amatuer National Heavyweight championship for Pankration and will be traveling to Poland for the World Championship in March. He is holding a fundraiser to help pay for the trip and is looking for sponsors.  Please contact this office for sponsorship information and the opportunity to get your company's logo on a Shamrock MMA T-Shirt!

Steve trains at Body Architecture in San Jose, a Shamrock MMA gym.  Awesome Steve, we're proud of you! Contact us if you are interested in purchasing one of his T-Shirts!