Subcontract machining is carried out by companies that supply finished parts on request: in most cases it is custom precision machining for specific sectors such as marine, automotive, spare parts and rolling mills, to name just a few.
Some of these companies also produce mechanical components in limited series, as well as mechanical systems or parts of them. All this is possible thanks to increasingly precise machinery (above all for turning metals and ferrous materials) and qualified staff. These companies also provide end-to-end support throughout the different stages of the work: you start from a sample and end with the finished product, with design and other aspects such as technical advice in between.
But what types of subcontract machining are there?
Subcontract machining: the types
There are many: turning, boring, milling, CAD-CAM programming, assembly and more. Subcontract machining also includes precision turning, fabrication work and – a very important technology – everything done on numerically controlled machines. These are particularly suited to series production that requires precision and fast turnaround.
It’s also worth noting that this type of machining makes the most of CAD-CAM technology, which passes everything about finishing and precision on to the machine tools. Subcontractors also often handle assembly.