We have a simple philosophy to maintain exceptional quality at Wagner Machine Company:
We hold ourselves to a higher standard than our customers do.
Some shops struggle with customers who flag even the smallest flaws, but we strive to put every complex machined part to that level of scrutiny before it leaves our shop. Several of our customers have recently requested advanced microscopic inspections, and the precise nature of the process fits our shop’s philosophy perfectly. Find out how we perform these inspections for our smallest features, and learn why we’re now utilizing this inspection process for other precision machining services even when our customers don’t require it.
The Benefits of Our New Microscopic Techniques
Last year, two customers approached us with projects that involved small features and exacting finishes. The customers specified microscopic inspection procedures which we’ve offered for many years—but these customers outlined very specific techniques, including specific viewing angles, magnification levels, and lighting requirements for each check. In one case, a customer even suggested a specific brand of microscope and camera so our inspections could be as close as possible to their internal quality department.
These seemingly minor clarifications to our technique proved so effective that we are integrating them throughout our full line of precision machining services. While we are still in the early stages of identifying additional use cases for these new microscopic inspection techniques, the benefits to our overall efficiency are already clear clear:
Faster troubleshooting: When we machine a lot of small parts and it can be challenging to identify the exact process or tool that leads to a specific issu
e. For micro lathe parts and other precision machining services, microscopic inspection with digital measurement capabilities provides immediate feedback that drastically speeds up the troubleshooting process by allowing us to make educated decisions.
Reduced setup through fine adjustment: One of the most challenging aspects of machining micro parts is fine tuning the little details during setup. This is especially true of 5-axis CNC machining services where we work on some of our most complex machined parts. Adjustments of .0005” – .001” that are common on typical CNC machined parts are way too coarse for micro machining. Microscopic inspection allows us to see the difference between adjustments as small as .0001” to get our blends and micro deburring dialed in to perfection.
Early detection and controlled costs: Our integration of microscopic inspection allows us to find issues in process. It can also help us spot finish issues before they impact part quality. This significantly reduces the risk of scrap in high-volume production machining projects.
A Case Study in Rapid Precision
In our shop, we often machine very intricate features. These projects have been transformed by our new techniques. After all, what appears perfect to the naked eye can be a completely different story under magnification.
For instance, one recent part required a profile tolerance of .002” on a feature that was only 0.012” wide. The customer had no visual inspection requirements for this feature, but with microscopes our quality department found a small dent that was only 0.0025” caused by an undetectable chip in our vice jaw. Digital measurements with the microscope proved the critical surface was out of tolerance even though the defect was too small to be caught on our CMM.
We knew that we needed to watch for this flaw during manufacturing, so our machinist began employing a portable microscope to check parts in process. By adding mere seconds of inspection between parts, we drastically improved our efficiency and reduced our risk of scrap, helping to maintain stable costs and accurate lead times for the project.
Let Us Exceed Your Expectations
At Wagner Machine, we aim to exceed your expectations every single day as we strive to achieve the impossible. By adding new inspection techniques and processes, we can more efficiently deliver the exceptional quality you expect without adding to costs or lead times.
Request a quote today to partner with a CNC machine shop that holds itself to the highest possible standards! We have available production capacity for 3-axis mill, 5-axis mill, lathe, and Swiss lathe to get your projects started right away.