“We need stainless” — but which one? That generic term hides dozens of grades with very different properties: corrosion resistance, machinability, mechanical strength, cost.
“Why does this part cost $40 from one supplier and $65 from another, for the same drawing?” This is a question we're asked often. The answer is rarely a single variable — the price of a machined part is the sum of several factors, some of which aren't visible on the technical drawing.
Aluminum is probably the most widely machined material in the world after steel. Lightweight, easy to machine, corrosion-resistant — it checks nearly every box.
Machining lead time is one of the most misunderstood topics in the client-shop relationship. It's often perceived as an arbitrary variable — a number the supplier states based on their workload or goodwill.
In the aerospace industry, there is no margin for error. An out-of-tolerance part means a line stoppage — or worse.
This isn't just a saying. It's the daily reality of aerospace production teams.
