Machining manufacturers are always looking for ways to make the machining process more efficient and cost-effective, including the continuous development of advanced production machinery, the improvement of tools, and the optimization of the entire cutting system.Usually, discussions about sustainability focus on macro-global environmental issues, ignoring basic elements such as price, cost, customer satisfaction, process knowledge, and reliability.The true success of machining sustainability begins with simple and clear steps and analysis.

Sustainable pricing

Setting sustainable prices for goods or services is a challenge that every company faces.It must not only be enough to make up for costs, but also generate profits, and attract customers in the market competition.If pressure from customers and competitors leads to low prices, profit margins will be affected. Cheaper, faster, and better production methods must be found to reduce production costs and maintain sustainable profit margins.

Intangible cost

In many companies, the critical point of profit and loss is not clear, because the real cost itself is not clear.There are some hidden, ignored, or unknown factors that are not included in the cost.Typical intangible costs include unplanned downtime, substandard workpieces, and damaged tools.These costs are considered unrepresentative or not “real" enough.In order to achieve a sustainable cost structure, intangible costs must be visualized.

Customer satisfaction

Customer satisfaction is a key factor in sustainable economic development.Among them, what customers are most concerned about is when the order can be shipped.In the minds of customers, the “delivery time” is calculated from the time the order is placed.Delivery time is not just production time.If it takes three weeks to process a part, but two weeks before and after the management activity, the workshop must frankly inform the customer that the delivery time is five weeks.

Control waste

Efficient manufacturing can minimize the waste of time, energy and raw materials.To effectively reduce waste and save resources, it is necessary to fully understand the characteristics of workpiece materials and processing techniques.This means that we need to accurately measure the key parameters of the processing process and clarify the processing results.Information such as the cutting speed of about 200 m/min is also not reliable enough.The actual value may be 195 m/min or 206 m/min, not the estimated value.

Reliable processing technology

Sustainable processing is reliable and predictable, and energy waste can be minimized.Unreliable processes can lead to rework or scrap of workpieces, as well as waste of raw materials, energy and labor due to substandard products.