Scaling Complex Aerospace and Defense Manufacturing Programs

At Focused on Machining, we’re proud of our ability to produce complex, tight-tolerance components with our true 5-axis machining and other capabilities. But just as important, we are always prepared to expand our capabilities and capacity as a customer’s program grows.

Over the past several years, we’ve proved repeatedly that we’re ready to help aerospace and defense customers by investing in new equipment when their production requirements call for it.

Case Study: Investing in a Complex Component

About a year ago, a customer approached us with an extremely complex metal 3D-printed part that needed full-5-axis machining. We proved out a machining process and manufactured it successfully, and they were happy with our results. 

The program grew and the customer needed significantly higher volumes. But their next order came with a quick timeline, and our capacity was filled on the machines involved.

We didn’t just accept this bottleneck; instead, we wanted to take major steps to help them meet their goals. We ordered a new multi-axis lathe with live tooling, along with an additional coordinate measuring machine (CMM). This equipment will not only support this program, but it will also expand our capabilities for future aerospace and space projects.

The new lathe will initially be dedicated to this component, creating the production capacity needed for the growing program. And the CMM will significantly accelerate inspection, so we can maintain quality standards while moving parts through production more efficiently.

How We Support Our Customers 

We were willing to make this commitment in defense and aerospace machining because we view our customers’ growth as an opportunity to evolve alongside them. When a customer trusts us with a long-term program, we look beyond the current order and consider what will be necessary to enable success over the long-term.

This is not a new approach for our precision machine shop. Several years ago, one customer’s designs started to grow in complexity. Parts that once required only one or two machining operations began requiring three to five. 

Because of those changes, we saw an opportunity and invested in a 5-axis machine. That decision allowed us to serve the customer more effectively while building capabilities that opened the door to additional long-term programs, including work for defense prime contractors. 

The Next Steps in Building Capabilities

Our latest equipment purchases follow the same philosophy: we’re helping our customers today while thinking of their needs tomorrow, as well. The new multi-axis lathe is being acquired with an immediate program in mind, but we chose a machine with capabilities that can handle more than the current part.

The lathe has both live tooling and multi-axis capability, which will let us complete complex turned and machined features in fewer setups. Once the current program’s needs slow down, that capacity will also be available for future projects.

You can have confidence that we’ll do what it takes to support your future production, whether that’s higher order volume or greater complexity. We can collaborate with you to understand what it will take to scale successfully.

Discuss Your Next Complex Machining Program

We want to become a strategic manufacturing partner that can solve difficult machining challenges and grow with your program over the long term.

Do you have a complex aerospace or defense part or a program that is ready to scale? Contact Focused on Machining to discuss how our team can support your next project!