Customer Need
A European medical device company (Company B) was developing a new‑generation mobile X‑ray system and needed two types of core components:
1. Precision machined parts: Rotary arm bushings, detector guide rails, lead screw brackets – tolerance ±0.01mm, materials 304 stainless steel and 7075 aluminum.
2. Sheet metal enclosures: Main housing, control panel brackets, battery compartment cover – scratch‑free surface, uniform coating (RAL 9003 white), IP20 protection.
Pain Points
0.3mm hole misalignment between sheet metal enclosure and machined bracket – impossible to assemble without rework, delaying certification by 2 weeks.
Obvious colour difference in surface finishing between the two suppliers, affecting product appearance.
Needed 10 prototypes within 6 weeks for clinical trials – existing split‑supplier model could not meet the deadline.
- Unified the datum of machined bracket threads and sheet metal mounting holes.
- Added 2 locating pin holes on the sheet metal enclosure for blind assembly alignment.
- Specified RAL 9003 for powder coating and provided colour samples for approval.
- Machining: 5‑axis machining for rotary arm bushings; in‑process probing for critical dimensions.
- Sheet metal: Laser cutting, CNC bending (±0.3°), anti‑distortion fixtures for welded ribs.
- Pre‑assembly check: Virtual assembly using CMM data before coating.
- CTQ list: concentricity of machined parts, hole position tolerance, coating thickness (60‑100μm).
- Provided FAIR and coating adhesion test report (cross‑cut test).
- Reserved dedicated machine time; weekly photo updates; China‑Europe time‑zone coordination window.
|
Metric |
Customer expectation |
Actual |
|
Lead time |
6 weeks |
5 weeks (7 days early) |
|
Assembly fit |
On‑site rework expected |
Zero rework – perfect alignment |
|
Colour difference (ΔE) |
< 1.5 |
ΔE = 0.6 – visually identical |
|
Quality pass rate |
98% |
99.2% |
|
Clinical trial start |
On schedule |
One week early |
Company B added us to their preferred supplier list with a 2‑year frame agreement (approx. RMB 4M/year).
Our FAIR and coating test reports helped B pass CE certification on‑site audit.
Two new products directly awarded to us for joint development.
Quarterly QBR meetings; achieved 18% cost reduction by converting some stainless steel machined parts to precision casting + light machining.
Signed long‑term NDA to protect B’s product design.
We used to believe that machining and sheet metal must be sourced separately from specialised shops. This supplier proved that a one‑stop solution not only saves coordination effort but also delivers qualified parts earlier. Their engineering team even proactively improved our design – a rare capability in the medical device industry.
OUR SERVICES
