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The Fundamentals of Modern Manufacturing

A person is welding in the dark with sparks flying.


Melting the Manufacturing Glacier

Modern Manufacturing

Manufacturing is the glacier of industry.  Because production is such a behemoth of material, process, scale, regulation, safety, establishment, and bureaucracy, any changes or innovation in the business of “making things†is slow to come. However, in the last decade, we’ve seen massive shifts in the way this industry does business.  

Slowly, the manufacturing sector is beginning to catch up to the on-time demands of customers who are used to point-and-click sale, payment, and shipping. A growing movement toward product customization, small quantity runs at competitive pricing, all with a new standard for precision and accuracy with increased automation is giving smaller, more modest manufacturing companies an edge over the big players.

Those same small makers are driving evolution industry-wide. The writing’s on the wall–the fundamentals of modern manufacturing have evolved.  Here’s a snapshot of some of the changes that are pushing manufacturing into new technologies and customer service frontiers.

The Way Things Were

It used to be that getting a part or product manufactured meant long lead times, colossal quantity requirements, and a lot of trial and error to machine parts that are accurate to customer specifications for optimal fit and function.  

A typical production job lasted for weeks or months, which would, in turn, cause bottlenecks and sometimes even complete breakdowns in the supply chain.

Taking completed products to market depended on endless spec collection, as well as repetitive back-and-forth dialog between customers, part designers, assembly line supervisors, and shop floor workers. Each piece of cutting equipment required a skilled worker for operation.

A New Technological Movement

With the advent of CNC manufacturing, website ordering systems, streamlined shipping, and more efficient communication protocol, smaller, more agile manufacturing companies like United Scientific are making names for themselves. The days of large-quantity minimum orders and “hair-on-fire†expediting nightmares are almost over.

How is CNC Technology Helping Speed Things Up?

Helping Technology Speed Up

Computer Numerical Control or CNC manufacturing is the messenger of production that can respond in real time to customer needs. CNC is a machining process that uses pre-programmed computer software as well as customized coding and memory storage to cut parts that offer a higher standard of precision fit.  

Further, because of the automation and digital aspect of CNC, near-perfect parts can be made every time with a significantly lower error rate than that of human-controlled machines.  

Unlike in previous decades where machinists did the cutting by “hand†with several implements, in CNC manufacturing, humans do most of the work on the “prep and design†end of the part or product.  

A design team or individual takes the specs of the desired product and feeds them into a CAD (design software) program. Once the design meets with customer approval, the part-maker then feeds the CAD design into a CAM program. CAM programs generate the “G-code†needed to tell the equipment (lathes, grinders,  or mills, for example) how to fabricate the piece.

G-code is specific in its communication with cutting equipment, providing instructions that detail the place and pace of each cut, coordinate multiple cuts on a part, and determine the feed rate of the product material through the whole process.

Once the cutting equipment has all the instructions, a product or part can be machined with a few clicks of a button, and repeated at the same precision standard for any product quantity. Also, instead of requiring a skilled worker for each cut with every piece of equipment, one worker can now “tell†several machines when and how to do the job, with a much lower margin of error.

Changes in Manufacturing Skills

The manufacturing workforce is undergoing a shift in current times. Shop floor workers must now be skilled in software operation more than the traditional machining skill sets. Machinists continue to be in high demand in the manufacturing sector. However, the new skill sets include familiarity and competence with both CAD am CAM software as it pertains to mills, lathes, grinders, and other part-making equipment.  

Real-Time Fulfillment

Just as we’ve all seen demand for online retail product ordering and free or reduced shipping skyrocket in the last decade, we are now noticing the same trend in manufacturing. Customers want their parts, and they want them delivered with both haste and precision.  

Also, huge quantity minimum orders are becoming a thing of the past as small manufacturers (like United Scientific) become experts at anticipating and delivering on the needs of their clients by adopting advanced technology like CNC programming, software, and equipment. Better technology means companies that build things can streamline their staff and efficiently use raw materials.  The result is a product that is both “lean†and “green†and ready for speedy delivery.

A Connected Company is a Successful One

Connecting with Those who Need CNC Manufacturing

Another aspect of the changing world of manufacturing is connectivity and communication. Customers expect to have updates and “tracking†ability in not only order shipment, but also in the whole process from design to completion.  

If our customers can access the exact progress of the part they need for their finished product, they can better plan for their growth, their future product innovation, and the satisfaction of their end users. United Scientific is with you every step of the way as we build the part you need, cut to the highest precision standards, delivered on your timeline.

Safety and Integrity

With the ethically minded consumer now ever more at the forefront, rest assured that United Scientific has always placed a priority on the safety of our staff and the ethics of our sales and partnerships. Even though our manufacturing uses state of the art technology, our people make our company tick.

When our people are happy, it shows in our work ethic, our communication with our clients, our overall customer service, and your end product.  

We are proud of our high ISO 9001 Certification Audit score, and ultimately, it’s our team that got us there. We are here to serve you with efficiency, accuracy, and relationship. That’s why at United Scientific, we are “scientific in process and united in purpose.â€

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What is CNC Manufacturing?

A machine that is working on some kind of metal


What is CNC Manufacturing?

CNC Manufacturing

At United Scientific, our customers are in the “making things†business. The things that make the world go ‘round. These various items permeate several industries, including:

  • Aerospace service
  • Automotive service
  • Defense
  • Agriculture
  • Recreational equipment
  • Medical Device

United Scientific is a parts manufacturer, using a manufacturing process called Computer Numerical Control or CNC. In other words, we make the stuff that goes into other stuff, and we make it with a high degree of precision and engineering, via computer software and code-writing. Our lathes, grinders, and other machines can be commanded digitally instead of manually, raising the bar on quality control and product measurement accuracy.

Let’s contrast CNC manufacturing with numeric control manufacturing or NCM. In NCM, cutting instructions are placed into a machine via punch card guided by a human. In CNC, design specs and machining instructions are entered into a computer, which allows for higher memory and automation, like a robot.

Programming code is easily edited or changed to produce customized results in a CNC process, and those changes remain in the computer memory for future use if desired or needed. CNC means we use a combination of human design and computer software and sometimes custom code to make your part. Here’s how this works.

A brief overview of the CNC process

First, we talk. Our professional staff will consult with you to determine the size, scope, and details of your parts project, as well as delivery deadlines, and competitive pricing. Our end goal is to deliver a defect-free, precision-made part that fits your application the first time, flawlessly.  

Next, we program. We use precision pre-programmed software and sometimes specific code to map out the machining cuts we need to perform and materials we will use to create your part.  We create the specs for your project from design to execution to delivery.

Then, we cut. With your carefully communicated part specifications, we will “measure twice and cut once,†as the saying goes, to ensure the fit and function of the part you order. Our internal audit protocol is one of the most stringent in the nation, providing an accuracy factor of 99-plus percent.

Finally, we deliver. We listen to your feedback, requests for refinement, and budget concerns to tweak the overall project to your specifications. We make sure the parts you request are accurate to your specifications and machined safely, with the highest “lean and green†standards we can offer.

Service Manufacturing in “The Gap.â€

Service Manufacturing in the Gap

Precision manufacturing is a fascinating operating system for a parts company. We understand that leading-edge machine technology like CNC is paramount to providing top-quality product and maintaining accuracy throughout the cutting process.

CNC manufacturers are often “gap specialists.†What do we mean by that? Well, at United Scientific, we focus on servicing part gaps in the “making things†process. How does this work?

Let’s say that one of our clients has several large contracts with other parts manufacturers for the primary widgets in their products. The parent company needs thousands upon thousands of those widgets for the finished product they make. However, the same company also requires a much smaller number of gadgets for their product to function optimally as well.

The widget-maker has a minimum part quantity order requirement that would result in an excess of gadgets with no product in which to place them. The parent company now has a problem: order a large quantity of gadget and leave a ton of capital sitting on their shelves tied up in unusable gadgets, or provide a sub-par finished product and risk losing customers.

That’s where United Scientific comes in. Our service-based manufacturing approach allows us to customize orders for exactly the part and quantity you need. The client gets what she wants, built with the highest precision and quantity standards, so there is no wasted time or materials.

Evolving From Pushing Products to Selling Services

Of course, we sell parts. Parts are actual products. You can touch them, hold them, box them, and use them. However, in the CNC industry, we are now beginning to look at our products, more like services. This change in perspective is a subtle but significant shift in the way we do business at large, with many positive outcomes to be had for the customer or partner.  

The precision of CNC–the programming, the software, the tools we use, as well as the human component, allow us to come alongside our customers and partners to ensure a high degree of customization and flexibility in the parts we make and the jobs we complete.

We view our products to be part of our overall service, keeping you on the winning side of your project budget and providing only through-put with little to no waste, as well as on-time custom delivery.

Nimble is Where it’s At

Agility in Creating What You Need

Our CNC process makes us agile. We can easily complete several projects concurrently with our technology. Which makes us a reliable partner for a client’s changing needs, as well as allowing us to manufacture parts in a variety of industries. We can handle any job from large to small and provide the most competitive pricing on the market.

Our Partnerships Seal the Deal

We are a trusted collaborator for other manufacturing companies as well as servicing our own clientele. We assist aerospace and automotive manufacturers as a “second†builder, and our product quality and on-time delivery standards cement those relationships. When other big builders trust us, you know you can trust us for any custom part project you have, no matter the size.  

Choose United Scientific as a Trusted Resource for Your Next Part Order

Our commitment to quality, to the right fit and function the first time, and our high level of customer service make us the clear choice for your next CNC project. We are manufacturing trailblazers with a small business heart. Our customer relationships are paramount to our success.  We mean it when we say Scientific in Process-with our leading-edge technology, and United in Purpose, delivering you the best parts, made lean, made right and making your business work.

 

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What is Innovative Manufacturing?

A person is holding a computer screen in front of a building.


What is Innovative Manufacturing?

Innovative Manufacturing

Innovative manufacturing is the creation of cutting edge technologies at a fast pace and for a reasonable price. Many of the companies that are in this business require precision and high tolerance parts goes beyond the everyday run of the mill manufacturing that has been going on for ages. Parts machining and CNC work have been going on for a very long time now, but we are in a modern age when technology is advancing and evolving at a breathtaking rate.

While some companies are okay with stagnating and creating parts that are for the machines and technologies of yesterday, some companies are determined to lead a revolution in the way that parts are made as well as in the quality and function of those parts.

At the forefront of the companies leading the innovative manufacturing, revolution is United Scientific Inc. United Scientific has not only a commitment to being on the cutting edge of precision machining and innovative manufacturing but also a passion for quality and customer service.

You can see for yourself here on their website as well as meet the team https://usimn.com/.

Manufacturing Revolution

We all live in a fascinating and exciting point in human history. The twenty-first century is known as the age of information. We are in a time when sciences and technologies are advancing faster than ever. As technology progresses more and more, the demand for precision and high tolerance parts grows.

At this point, you may find yourself asking this question: What companies need machined parts? That is an excellent question, as the scale and scope of the businesses and companies that need machined parts increases at a rapid pace. Here is a list of some of the industries that may need parts machined.

  • Agriculture
  • Oil and gas
  • Construction
  • Weaponry
  • Food processing
  • Defense
  • Transportation
  • Aerospace
  • Automotive
  • Recreational equipment
  • Medical equipment

Now let’s talk about some fields of innovative manufacturing, and what types of companies require machined parts for their operations.

3D Printing

3D Printing

Three-dimensional printing is a relatively new and innovative way of manufacturing a wide variety of things, using many different materials. A three-dimensional printer is capable of producing complex geometrical shapes and even items that have moving parts all at once. Before 3D printing, it may have taken many different processes and machines to create a piece that 3D printing is capable of producing all in one process.

Information technology plays a significant and essential role in 3D printing. 3D printers connect to a computer that has special software to direct the hardware of the printer. For a 3D printer to produce anything, there first needs to be a CAD or computer-aided design.

The computer-aided design is essentially a three-dimensional model that shows what is going to be created, first as a computer image. This process is very beneficial because any mistakes that may exist in the model can be corrected before the printer produces an item.

Three-dimensional printers require hardware that is precision machined. As the need for many different things that are 3D printed grows, so will the need for machined parts to create 3D printers.

Handheld Devices and Wearable Technology

Handheld devises such as smartphones and tablets are now a very regular part of everyday life. Often the first thing that people reach for when they wake up in the morning is their smartphone or tablet. These devices help us stay connected with the world. They help us stay up to date on our jobs, hobbies, projects, families, and friends.

These handheld devices fill some of the roles of computers. They serve as an intermediary between a person and a computer as well as carry out the task of a phone. For a modern person that is on the go always, these handheld devices are a necessity. They make calls, capture photos, allow us to check our emails, and put any information we could ever need right at our fingertips.

Wearable technology is another field where innovation is leading to success. Many new wearable technologies are coming out. We already have technologies such as the Google glasses that can not only serve as protection for the eyes but can also provide the wearer with a heads up display that can show statistics or instructions on specific jobs that can increase workplace efficiency.

There are also other wearable technologies that serve as extensions for our phones or computers that can be safely used at times that might be inconvenient for larger devices.

One excellent example is the smartwatch, which is worn on one wrist and operated with the opposite hand. There are also smart headsets which can be operated hands-free and feed instructions audibly to the user.

Not only are smartphones and wearable technology being mass produced at a significant rate, but they also require a high degree of precision to be made. For this reason, phone manufacturers use robots that are connected to computers for direction for much of the process of manufacturing smartphones and tablets.

Many of these robots and much of the equipment used for manufacturing these devices require precision machining.

Drones

Making Parts for Drones

Drones have been around for a while now. The military has been using them for surveillance and recon for years, as well as using weaponized versions for defense purposes. However, drones are now much more common in the last few years than they were in the past. They have become smaller and cheaper.

Drones have started being mass produced and made available to the general public for a wide range of reason, including for recreation. These smaller drones that are more readily available cannot necessarily carry heavy payloads, but many of these drones are fitted with cameras that can either record or stream live back to a smartphone, computer or tablet.

These devices can be used to do jobs that are hazardous to people, or even that are not able to be done by people. They can be used to inspect pipeline and infrastructure in high places, to take inventory of large amounts of items or to scour large sections of land for inspection.

Automated Guided Vehicles

Most people are familiar with automated, guided vehicles. Some tech giants have been testing and using these vehicles for years to create street views for their map systems and survey the roads. This technology has come a long way and has mostly been deemed to be safe.

These vehicles use onboard computers that process road conditions and give cars informed instructions in real time that allow them to operate on surface streets safely. They use a global positioning system (GPS) navigate.

There has been much talk, and testing of services involving these vehicles that will give people lifts to wherever they need to go as well as deliver food and packages. This is an industry that will see much growth in the years to come.

Final Thoughts

Precision machining and the manufacture of high tolerance parts is an essential part of innovative manufacturing. To build the robots and machines that manufacture all of these innovations, you need these machined parts!

The team at United Scientific Inc. has over 30 years of combined average experience in machining high-quality parts and providing exceptional customer service. United Scientific manufactures results, not excuses. Learn more at their website here https://usimn.com/.

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Four Reasons Your Company Can Benefit From a Precision Machine Shop

A machine is being worked on in the light.


Benefits of using a Precision Machine shop

In the ever-changing global marketplace, staying competitive in your industry can be challenging. With rising costs of materials, the increase in digital marketing demands, and uncertain economic times, it is critical that you streamline your company’s efforts to stay profitable and viable year after year. Choosing to use a high-quality precision machine shop will allow you to do just that.

If you have wondered if hiring a precision machine shop is the right move for your business, reach out to the team at United Scientific Inc. today. With a highly-trained staff and industry-leading technology, we can produce what you need, when you need it.

What Does a Precision Machine Shop Do?

At its basic level, a precision machine shop uses subtractive processes to remove material from a starting blank to produce parts, pieces, and components for manufacturing clients. This subtraction happens through the use of any or all of these machining practices:

  • Drilling
  • Turning
  • Boring
  • Sawing
  • Milling
  • Grinding

Specialized tools use the digital plans rendered from computer-aided design to produce the required specifications. Trained machinists set and adjust the devices and run the program as specified.

In contrast to the machining systems, additive processes form pieces by adding layers of material until the desired shape, size, and parameters emerge. 3D printing is one of the most popular types of additive production.

Also Read: What Happens in a CNC Machine Shop

Although it has gained popularity in recent years, 3D printing remains a much more limited option compared to precision machining. There are limits to the type of substance that can work as a filament in the printers. Machining, on the other hand, can work on almost any material such as wood, foam, metal, and plastic.

Who Uses Precision Machine Shops?

Who Uses Precision Machine shops

You might be surprised by the number of industries that rely on the skills of machinists. If you look around your home or office, the odds are there is something within your reach that uses machined parts.

In addition to traditional manufacturing markets, all of these industries use precision machine shops to produce what they need:

  • Medicine and Research – Medical laboratories rely heavily on precision machine shops to provide accurate pieces on time. Modern research facilities cannot operate without the myriad equipment needed to run tests and protect samples. Machinists supply the parts for that equipment.
  • Aerospace and Aircraft – Not many industries demand precision as much as the aircraft and aerospace industry does. Landing gear, security machinery, and control panels impact people’s lives and safety daily. There is no room for error in aerospace machine shops.
  • Defense – From tank parts to weapons to communication devices, defense departments around the globe need the services of precision machine shops to have top-notch supplies on time.
  • Commercial – Retail companies need reliable, repeatable machining services to be able to keep up with market demand for their products. Fast, high volume output with the ability to change specs as needed is critical in commercial markets.
  • Optics – The precise nature of machining makes it feasible for manufacturers of optical products to work rapidly through several prototypes. Everything from reading glasses to telescopes to microscopes uses machined parts.
  • Food Industry – As food production becomes more and more streamlined and automated, the demand for machined parts is growing. From devices to assess food safety to equipment used in food preparation, machining is becoming a big part of the industry.

Four Reasons Your Company Needs a Precision Machine Shop

If you have been on the fence about hiring a precision machine shop, take the time to learn all about their services for these reasons:

1. Accuracy

As you would expect from something with precision in its name, a precision machine shop is all about accuracy. Many industries, in particular, defense and aerospace, require parts with extremely tight tolerances. There is almost no room for deviation. If your company hopes to win bids in these areas, you must employ a machine shop that can deliver with extreme precision.

United Scientific Inc. is proud to hold the prestigious ISO 9001 Certification that demonstrates our commitment to zero defects and documented accuracy of at least 99% of the time.

2. Timeliness

Modern industry moves fast. Your business cannot compete if it doesn’t have a way to produce parts and merchandise quickly enough to keep up. When you need a prototype in a hurry or must make changes to the specifications of an existing piece, you need the work finished right away. Using a trusted precision machine shop ensures you can get what you need with a short turnaround. If you waste precious days or weeks waiting for a part, the market may leave you behind.

3. Expertise

Although there are times a business may try to produce self-made prototypes and components, they soon recognize that they lack the experience and knowledge to do so. The skill of machinists is not something to take lightly. They have specialized training and significant know-how that a novice cannot duplicate. They also have state-of-the-art tools that finish the job correctly and in a short time.

4. Cost

Businesses are all about the bottom line. You want to increase profits and lower expenses. If you do not have a precision machine shop completing jobs for you, then you likely are paying for a lot of employee hours to complete something a shop could do in moments.

Also, when trying to do this in-house, there are going to be a lot of mistakes that cost more time and materials. Hiring the services of a precision machine is worth it. The return on investment will boost your bottom line.

United Scientific Is On Your Side

United Scientific is On Your Side

If you are wary of trying to go it alone in your parts manufacturing, let United Scientific Inc. help you out. Our expert machinists and friendly staff will work with you to determine what level of service you need for your company to be competitive and profitable.

Our team represents over 70 years of experience in the machining industry. We are honored to be your trusted partner. Contact us today to see how we may serve you.

 

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What Happens in a CNC Machine Shop?

A factory with many machines in it


What is a CNC Machine Shop

As the world has shifted over the centuries from agrarian to industrial, the need for quality machines and parts has grown exponentially. Computer Numerical Control (CNC) is the method by which computer programming controls the tools necessary to create parts and prototypes. What happens in a CNC machine shop is not only fascinating but vital to every part of the global economy.

Regardless of your industry, when you need a prototype, part, or component quickly, you can trust United Scientific Inc. They work with speed, accuracy, and precision to create what you need for your job. In business since the 1940s and the time of “punched tape†machining, United Scientific knows how to deliver your product with excellence.

What Is A CNC Machine Shop?

At its basic level, CNC machining is a process that works by subtraction or elimination. It is a type of subtractive manufacturing. Starting with a solid piece of material the tools remove layers until the desired shape and dimensions emerge. By contrast, 3D printing is an additive process, building a part or component in layers from a 3D printer.

In a CNC machine shop, machinists can work with just about any material, such as wood, copper, steel, foam, and polypropylene. They serve many different industries from education to aerospace with their expertise.

So what happens in a CNC shop? As it turns out, a lot happens. From start to finish, the process is intricate and impressive.

CAD File Conversion

Before any machining can happen, a designer generates a computer-aided design (CAD) with the specific dimensions and geometries of the client’s part or prototype. This file then goes through another computer program that generates the specifications for the CNC machine in its language. This digital output allows the tools to understand their job.

G-code is the most common programming language used for CNC machines. It takes the CAD and translates into digital instructions for the machine. This language tells the tools where they need to go, when to go there, and how quickly to move.

Setting Up the Machine

Setting Up the Machine

Once the computer knows what it needs to do, the machinist has to prepare the tools for that particular job. Each project starts with a blank – the solid piece of material that the machine will reduce and sculpt. The CNC machinist loads the blank onto spindles and ensures all the tools are functional and ready to work.

Also Read: What is lean production and how does it minimize overhead

CNC machines use several different tools, such as drills, vises, and lathes. Sometimes these are combined into multi-use components in the device. The operator must check that everything is lined up and working correctly before running the program.

Executing the Program

After everything is prepared and ready to go, the operators can run the program. The CNC machine will follow its digital road map and set of instructions to create the required piece with precision.

Some of the most common types of operations in a CNC shop are:

  • Milling – This process feeds the blank to a rotating cutting tool that cuts away excess material. Milling can create threads, slots, and cavities in a piece, as required by the instructions.
  • Drilling – The drilling process feeds the material to multi-tip drill bits that can bore holes into the piece which makes it possible for the CNC machine to countersink and ream parts as needed.
  • Turning – The turning process removes material from the outside of the blank by feeding it into a machine such as a lathe. It can create slots and grooves around the circumference of a part.

Who Uses CNC Services?

CNC Services

Although most people may never need a CNC machine shop, these workplaces are vital to almost every industry around the globe. Our modern world relies on machinists for productivity in every facet of society, from farming to medicine to high tech industries.

Some machine shops produce products that the company then sells directly to consumers. Often, these businesses do all of their CAD work and CNC machining in house.

More often, however, the machine shop is a contract shop. In this case, the operators and machinists create parts and components for clients who use them to make products they sell to consumers.

Contract shops typically do not have CAD designers in house. Instead, the client hires that out and provides the CNC plans to the machine shop.

Machining is essential to the productivity of any manufacturing businesses in the global marketplace. Some of the biggest customers for the CNC machining industry are:

  • Military and Defense – The ever-evolving need for new designs and technology in the military demands constant updates to parts and components. Also, the natural attrition of vehicles and weapons means that the timely production of new parts is critical.
  • Aviation and Aerospace – As aircraft getter faster and lighter, CNC machine shops are busy keeping up with the demand of parts made with incredible precision to ensure safety and success.
  • Medical Research – The realm of medicine and healthcare relies on fast-moving research. Laboratories around the world require CNC machined parts regularly.
  • Optics – Manufacturers of telescopes and microscopes rely on accurate, precise CNC machining for their fine-tuned parts and pieces.

Commitment to Quality

At United Scientific, we pride ourselves on producing high-quality parts for our clients. Always. We give every single job the attention it deserves so that no client is left wanting. We know that you trust us to create parts that will function safely and effectively for you and your customers.

This commitment to excellence and the highest quality of work is why our clients come back to us again and again. They can rely on our precise, attentive, accurate work.

By hiring the best machinists and supporting them with ongoing professional development, we can always deliver. With a documented 99% accuracy rate, we know that our 70 years of machining experience will provide exactly what the job requires.

Trust United Scientific For Your CNC Machine Shop Needs

No matter your industry and no matter how tight the tolerances, United Scientific is ready to serve you. We are proud of our ISO 9001 outstanding certification, and we strive to exceed expectations for every client.

Reach out today to get your job started right away. We can’t wait to serve you.

 

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What is Lean Production and How Does it Minimize Overhead?

A person touching the screen with gears on it.


Lean Production and Manufacturing

In today’s economic climate, organizations have had to do more with less. But how does a person, team, organization or even a manufacturing company do more with less?

Is doing more with less even possible? With lean production principles, doing more with less is not just possible; it’s becoming the expectation.

Here at United Scientific Inc., we have adopted many lean principles into our business and manufacturing processes, which helps us to be more efficient and increase production output.

Who Are We?

United Scientific Inc., located St. Paul, Minnesota, is a manufacturing company offering customers high-quality products made within our high-performance, multi-faceted production center. Since the 1940s, our custom machining and manufacturing facility and staff have offered our customers an extensive focus on providing diversified parts manufacturing.

Our employees begin each project with the understanding that the work they perform is essential to our customers’ success. Speed, accuracy, precision, and quality are our hallmarks at United Scientific Inc. Our team will always follow stringent safety protocols, lean principles, and green initiatives wherever possible. We aim for zero defects with 100% on-time delivery rates.

What is Lean Production?

What is Lean Production and Manufacturing

According to the Lean Enterprise Institute, lean means “creating more value for customers with fewer resources.â€

At United Scientific Inc., understanding our customer’s value is essential to the manufacturing and production process. Knowing what our customers’ value aids our team in focusing the manufacturing goals, enhancing our customers’ satisfaction. We know positive customer satisfaction leads to loyalty, repeat business, and referrals.

Also Read: Four Reasons Your Company Can Benefit From a Precision Machine Shop

Adopting lean production helps companies better achieve their goals by assisting management and employees focus on eliminating waste from the production process.

But what exactly is considered waste?

The Seven Deadly Wastes

In the production and manufacturing process, waste is an action or set of actions that do not add any value from the customer’s perspective. Customarily, there are seven areas of waste. They are:

  1. Overproduction – Manufacturing items before they are required or even requested. Overproduction can lead to additional costs.
  2. Inventory – A direct result of overproduction. Excess and “just in case†inventory leads to overstocking and low quality. This practice can wreak havoc on storage costs.
  3. Motion – Related to ergonomics, this is the unnecessary movement of employees or machines within the process. Unnecessary movement leads to injuries and longer production times.
  4. Waiting – This one is pretty self-explanatory. It refers to time wasted waiting for the next step in the production process.
  5. Transport – Unnecessary movement of materials from one location to another. With the high price of fuel, this particular practice can be extremely costly to your business, and it decreases quality.
  6. Overprocessing – The inappropriate use of techniques, oversize equipment, or adding additional features not required by the customer.
  7. Defects – Quality defects have a direct impact on the bottom line. It can lead to rework or replacements, thus costing valuable time, labor, and money.

Lean isn’t Just for Production or Manufacturing

Common misunderstandings about lean principles are that they only apply to manufacturing or production lines. Lean principles can apply to every business and every process. In fact, industries worldwide, including healthcare, military, aviation, and governments, are using lean principles.

Some prefer not to call it “lean.†They wish to emphasize the fact that lean isn’t a cost restructuring program or strategic tactic. Instead, it is a school of thought and a different way of thinking and acting to improve overall production by eliminating waste in the process.

The purpose of lean is to help the company develop thought processes and methods to achieve the critical goal — understanding what our customers value — by eliminating waste in the process while maintaining high quality.

Five Key Principles

Principles of Lean Production

The Lean Enterprise Institute lists five fundamental principles to help guide companies in implementing lean techniques. They are:

  1. Identify Value – What are the customers’ needs for the precise project or product?
  2. Value Stream – Map the steps and processes, from raw materials to delivery of the final product. Remove any waste.
  3. Flow – Ensure the remaining steps in the process flow smoothly without delays, bottlenecks, or interruptions.
  4. Pull – Allow customers to pull product as needed, thus reducing the need to stockpile. This habit saves resources and reduces costs.
  5. Perfection – Make lean thinking and process a part of the organization’s culture. Becoming lean requires consistent effort to be perfect.

United Scientific is Ready to “Lean” for You

Here at United Scientific, adopting a lean mindset has helped us stay “Scientific in Process, United in Purpose.â€

Our customers honor us with the privilege to handle their machining and manufacturing parts requests. We are proud to merge excellent customer service with high-quality parts manufacturing and CNC machining expertise.

Our customers can trust that United Scientific will complete any machining project correctly, on-time, and with the highest level of quality assurance, without any waste or loss in customer value. We work together with our customers to ensure that we meet all their requirements, and customers are satisfied with the final result.

United Scientific Inc. strives to ensure their lean production processes are flexible and adaptable wherever possible. We respect progress, but never at the expense of accuracy, quality, and precision.

We back up our quality-control with a scientific quality process generating a 99-plus percent accuracy factor. Our method yields a 131 Defective Parts Per Million rating, which is tops in the industry. The specialists in our inspection department have implemented Lean processes to eliminate waste, yet not at the expense of quality and precision.

All United Scientific customers experience the feeling of satisfaction, knowing from start to finish that the professionals at United Scientific will meet their requirements. And whenever possible, we exceed our customers’ wishes. We go above and beyond.

No matter your industry, when you need parts manufacturing, CNC machining, aerospace parts, medical device prototypes, or components, put your faith in United Scientific Inc. United Scientific is the company to call for quality, on-time delivery, and accessibility to meet your manufacturing needs.

Call Us!

To learn more about our services, lean processes, and how United Scientific Inc. can support your project, contact us at 651-483-1500, or email [email protected].