Build to print

How We Run a Build-to-Print Job

When you send a print to a shop you haven’t used, you want to know what happens to it. Here’s our machining quality control, step by step. You’ll also find the answer to the ISO question below. The short version: we’re ITAR registered, not ISO 9001 certified.

ITAR registeredKeyence XM-5000 portable CMMFirst article on requestMaterial certs on request
01. Process

Machining quality control, from drawing to shipped part

Eight steps, the same on every job.

01

Drawing review

A machinist reads the print before we quote it. If a tolerance, finish, thread callout or material spec is unclear, it comes back to you as a question. We don’t guess. The quote names the drawing revision it’s based on.

02

Quote

Material, operations, inspection and lead time, spelled out. We review every RFQ within one to two business days. Simple parts are quoted in one to two days, and larger jobs within a week.

03

Material

Bought to the spec on your print. Material certs on request.

04

First article

When you request first article inspection, the first part is fully measured against the drawing and reported before the rest of the run is cut.

05

In-process checks

Critical dimensions are checked at the machine during the run with micrometers, bore gauges and depth gauges. Surface finish is checked on a profilometer.

06

Final inspection

Parts are measured on the Keyence XM-5000 portable CMM. Because it’s portable, a 170-inch shaft gets measured where it sits and isn’t moved to a room it won’t fit in. Inspection reports on request, on our own form or on yours.

07

One named machinist

Every job has one person accountable for it. You get their name, and you can call them.

08

Shipping

Packed for the part. Certs and reports go with it.

02. Certification

Are you ISO 9001 certified?

No. Zala Machine Co. is ITAR registered. We aren’t ISO 9001 or AS9100 certified, and we don’t claim to be.

Here’s what that means for you. If your contract flows ISO 9001 or AS9100 down to your suppliers, we aren’t the right shop for that part, and we’d rather say so now than after you’ve sent the RFQ. If you need a part made to your print, with the material certs, first article inspection and inspection reports you specify, that’s how we already run our jobs.

We’re a 17-person shop. We’ve spent our time and money on machines and measurement rather than a certification program. If that changes, this page will say so.

03. ITAR

ITAR registered

We’re registered under ITAR, so we can accept defense-related drawings and handle them as the regulations require.

04. Measurement

What we measure with

Keyence XM-5000 portable CMM · profilometer · micrometers, bore gauges and depth gauges · thread gauging.

When the whole print is what you need, see our build to print machining.

05. Common questions

Build-to-print process: common questions

Can you send material certs?

Yes, on request. They ship with the part.

Do you do first article inspection?

Yes, on request. The first part is measured and reported before the run continues.

Whose inspection report form do you use?

Either. We have our own inspection report, or we’ll fill in your form if you send one.

What if the drawing has an error?

We flag it before we quote and wait for your answer. We don’t cut to a drawing we think is wrong.

Can you work to our drawing revision control?

Yes. The quote, the job and the report all carry the revision you sent.

Send the print. We’ll read it before we price it.

Email your drawings to sales@zalamachine.com or send them through the quote form.