We Need a Networking Category for Fabricators

[freudianfloyd]

Here in the Engineering department where I work, we are in the middle of designing some new products. Trying to break from traditional designs, we are incorporating new techniques, or new materials, coatings, fabrication methods, and etc.

With the wealth of knowledge on this board and the number of members that either own fab shops or work in them, it seems that it would be beneficial to have a category for networking purposes.

For example, I am looking into having a part made that requires either laser cutting or water jetting, as well as stud welding and stamping. The usual fabrication shops we use do not have these capabilities, or if they do, only have one or two and would require shipping to a secondary source. It would be very useful, and beneficial if I could post under the fabrication networking thread that I need a fabricator that can do such as such, and then those in the know can either say "my shop can do that" or "I know a shop that can do that".

The current method I use at work is to submit a part to our purchasing department, they send it to the same few suppliers they always use, and then I get a response back saying they can't do it. So then to Google I go.

It seems to me that this would benefit not only those needing parts made, but also those in the business of making parts.

 

[dr_clyde]

Where are you located?

 

[dr_clyde]

FWIW, most shops aren't going to have everything. I know of very few shops that can do laser work, waterjet work, stud welding, and stamping all under one roof.

 

[dkmc]

I think a general Fab/Welding/Machining Networking category would be great.
One thing that would need to happen is members need to post their location.

 

[Griff93]

I think that's a good idea. Most of the folks that have that kinda of capability don't want to step on any toes. Sometime I'll post up if someone is looking for something within our capability but I don't want folks to feel like they are being spammed or anything along those lines. If we do a form for that, we could separate it by region.

Everybody has a bit different selection of equipment in this kinda of business. For instance, we have a 4x8 cnc plasma table but most machine shops do not. We also have a 4 axis mill so we can make parts that require being indexed or turned while machined. There's probably folks out there in our area looking for what we do that haven't connected with us or someone like us. Some of them may be on here.

 

[freudianfloyd]

Where are you located?

Sorry, we are based in Cincinnati, but we have suppliers all over the world that we use. Our parent company is based in Germany, so many of our parts come from Europe as well.

 

[freudianfloyd]

I think a general Fab/Welding/Machining Networking category would be great.
One thing that would need to happen is members need to post their location.

I think it would be useful for sure. It would have to be an entire separate category i.e. Free Parking, or Fabrication and Techniques, etc.. I don't think it would be too useful if it is a long running thread.

 

[Capt Chrysler]

Commercial Service Section


Sometimes we slid into the GJ during the day, just for a coffee break!


Capt. Chrysler

 

[freudianfloyd]

commercial service section


sometimes we slid into the gj during the day, just for a coffee break!


Capt. Chrysler

yes! Exactly

 

[b-dog]

This would be cool. In the meantime...
There's a manufacturing resource section on Practicalmachinist where you can post RFQs. There's also an entire forum, rfqwork.com, though when I used to check on there, it was pretty quiet. If you're looking for 1-person shops working from their garage, check the local Craigslist under skilled services.

 

[freudianfloyd]

This would be cool. In the meantime...
There's a manufacturing resource section on Practicalmachinist where you can post RFQs. There's also an entire forum, rfqwork.com, though when I used to check on there, it was pretty quiet. If you're looking for 1-person shops working from their garage, check the local Craigslist under skilled services.

Thanks for the heads up. I personally would be looking for larger prototype shops and possibly production shops, but I think it would be useful to have this category added to help anybody with their needs.