Fifteen percent.
That’s how many parts come to Ricaurte Precision with design issues that could have been prevented if customers had started with us at the New Product Introduction (NPI) stage.
By the time these parts reach RPI, the designs have often been finalized by the company. The expensive materials can’t be switched to cost-effective alternatives. Radii can’t be standardized, and we have no choice but to order expensive custom tooling.
As a company dedicated to quality and customer experience, we hate passing on unnecessary costs to our customers. Especially when we know that RPI can assist in optimizing the production of our customers’ parts.
That’s just one reason we encourage customers to work with our experienced, customer-focused, California precision machining company from NPI to production.
Why NPI Matters in Precision Machining
In the NPI stage, customers and manufacturers work together to develop an effective plan to bring products from conception to final iteration.
While specific steps vary depending on the project, the goals remain the same:
- Efficient and timely production
- Cost-effective manufacturing that minimizes waste
- Clear communication between customer and precision machining partner
The NPI stage allows manufacturers to offer input on improving part designs to optimize manufacturability before designs are approved and finalized.
The Benefits of Working with RPI from NPI to Production
RPI’s specialization in high-performance industries like defense, medical, and aerospace drives us to continuously improve. We’ve implemented everything from automated 5-axis machining, 5-axis pallet systems, live tooling lathes with automated bar feeders, a paperless ERP system, machine monitoring, and other technologies to advance our facility’s processes and capabilities.
These capabilities directly impact our ability to transition parts from NPI to production seamlessly. RPI’s experienced machinists and engineers complement our impressive capabilities, making our California advanced manufacturing facility one of the best choices for taking parts from NPI to production.
Here are five key factors that help us stand out:
1. Consistent, clear communication
RPI prioritizes seamless interactions between engineers and manufacturers during the NPI phase by assigning set teams to each project. This approach ensures constant, consistent communication with familiar faces who know each customer’s specific requirements.
Our digital technology capabilities streamline production by providing clear documentation and real-time traceability of all steps in the manufacturing process. To ensure everyone has an equal say, we use screen-sharing and 3D model annotation tools to improve collaboration capabilities with non-engineers.
2. Engineering expertise
RPI’s wealth of engineering experience helps us proactively solve customer problems. Our programmers and project managers can easily identify potential challenges in part designs and create cost-effective modifications. Working with us from the NPI phase offers invaluable insight from step one.
3. Simulation software
Our investments in simulation software demonstrate our commitment to staying ahead of the curve. We use advanced simulation software tailored for multi-axis machines to ensure consistency and quality in production.
The ability to visualize parts before manufacturing begins fosters better understanding and transparency with customers, especially during the NPI phase.
4. Smooth scaling capabilities
When RPI is involved from the start of a project, we can optimize parts for scalability. Our expert programmers and project managers consider material type, outside processing, tolerance requirements, and geometric challenges to provide customers with the best production manufacturing solutions.
5. Accomplished automation
At RPI, we pride ourselves on our advanced automation capabilities. As parts transition to production, changes in tooling and fixturing are often required, costing time and labor and risking human error.
RPI’s automated processes, like our 5-axis machining pallet systems, live tooling lathes with automated bar feeders and wire EDM technologies maximize efficiency and minimize human error. We also automate inspection as much as possible to ensure consistent results.
Exceptional Service from Start to Finish
Working with RPI from the beginning gives customers a head-start in the production process. When we’re involved in NPI, our engineers introduce value to designs, optimize machinability, and increase efficiency during production.
Our commitment to customers drives us to exceed expectations and deliver exactly what they deserve—the best.
Don’t let your product be one of the thirty-three percent. Request a quote today.
