How Our Precision Machine Shop Embraces Continuous Improvement

At Accurate CNC, continuous learning and improvement are everyday tasks. Our team constantly refines processes and tests new methods to deliver better results for our customers. We aim for innovation, better solutions, faster turnaround, and higher quality over time at our precision machine shop. We know that every step forward, whether it’s big or small, will add up.

Our team regularly reviews lessons learned, collaborates to identify areas for potential improvement, and documents our findings to build on what works. Learn how that mindset translates into action on the shop floor.

Case Study: Iteration In Action

Here’s one illustration of our continuous improvement: Our CNC machine shop used to program and run full 4’ x 8’ sheets of material all at once. While this approach allowed us to machine up to 50 different part numbers at a time, it also required more than six hours of continuous machine time. That created two challenges: longer shifts for our team and a higher risk of scrap since one programming issue could affect the entire sheet.

With dozens of parts running simultaneously, critical tolerances could be overlooked, and any programming tweaks increased the chance of costly rework.

Implementing Improvements in Our Precision Machine Shop

Through careful planning, we adjusted our process to improve results. We still program the full sheet, but run it in increments, machining 10 to 15 parts in two- to three-hour segments. This allows for more intentional inspection, greater efficiency, and the ability to prioritize urgent parts between jobs. 

Getting Better Every Day

Continuous improvement influences every aspect of our shop, right down to the layout itself. As our workload evolves, we remain adaptable, finding the best setup for both productivity and comfort. We regularly adjust our shop floor layout to improve both safety and efficiency, and it makes it easier for our team to stay focused on precision.

Of course, these updates are informed by experience and feedback from the people on the floor who know our process best. If an employee has an idea, we listen and find ways to do things better. 

And we’re always looking for the best way to encourage those ideas. We used to give long reports to our employees, but our learning and development processes have changed over the years. Now, we schedule dedicated shop-wide discussions, often over lunch. That way, everyone can share feedback, raise concerns, and suggest improvements. This open dialogue helps us identify opportunities that might otherwise go unnoticed.

Our employees know their opinions are valued. This encourages a culture of asking, “How can we make it better?” Change isn’t something we avoid, it’s how we maintain consistent improvement.

Partner With a Shop Committed to the Best

At our precision machine shop, we treat every challenge as an opportunity to improve, and each step forward helps us deliver higher precision and more consistent outcomes. Our customers trust us to always be adapting and improving, and every evolving workflow is proof of our ongoing commitment to precision and progress. 

Ready to partner with a shop committed to improving? Request a quote today from our Idaho machine shop!