Tooling
One of AIM Processing's strengths is that it does not have in-house toolmaking - we subcontract the work to our network of competitive, qualified, and approved toolmakers. This runs counter to the norm a few years ago, when many customers were guided to believe that one-stop meant better delivery. Customers come to us with different needs. Some require tolerance of +/- 0.001", but not all do. Some require P-20, S-9, or H-10 steel for durability; some require aluminum for cooling or cost. As with lawyers and doctors, a level of specialization exists with toolmakers and there are different levels of competence. How can you be sure the competiveness and capabilities of your one-stop shop meet your needs? You might be shortchanging quality to chase a cheap price or stuck paying for precision you don't need.
From our customer's perspect
ive, our tooling program is simple. You order with us, we develop the design with the toolmaker, we manage the delivery, we get it right, and we guarantee & maintain your tool as though it was done in-house. When you meet with us, you will hear we are not interested in making money on tooling. So why do we do all that work for nothing? We hope to have your production work, and we find that guiding a good design can help us avoid future production challenges.
We place work with the most competent and cost effective toolmaker for the job, matching your part program to a specific toolmaker's skill set. Plus, in multi-part projects, we have a wide supplier base to coordinate a fast program delivery. In the past, we've completed programs with 15 parts in 8 weeks; another program with 10 parts in 6 weeks to make it to CES in January. No finger pointing about how someone else didn't get it right. We expect you to put us on the hook, because we can deliver.
If you wish, you can contract your own tooling or move your tooling to us. We do have in-house tool maintenance and repair, so we will care for your investment. Though our domestic sources are very competitive, we can look offshore if you prefer or if the program is a good fit.