Laser Marking and Welding across Industries

Since its earliest beginnings as a theory developed by Albert Einstein in 1917 to its development into a tool commonly used today, the laser has revolutionized operations across industries. The capabilities of laser technology are key to many aspects of medical treatments, scientific research, fabrication, and more. MultiSource Manufacturing LLC utilizes laser marking and welding as a value-added service that offers noninvasive finishing treatments of a wide range of components and full assemblies. As a contract manufacturer with six locations making up the MultiSource network, we are able to offer comprehensive services, including laser marking and welding machines operated by skilled technicians.

For many manufacturing purposes, laser marking and welding is critical to completing components and assemblies. Thanks to our multiple facilities, the MultiSource network is able to offer these high-quality services with the capabilities of a large-scale industry leader and the customer-focused care of a small company. Our laser marking and welding technicians apply their skills across industries, including medical, aerospace and defense, electrical, semiconductor, and more.

 

Components of a Laser Marking or Welding System

A laser marking or welding system utilizes four basic components that work together to conduct the laser’s light-generated-heat to vaporize and remove materials from a component’s surface.

  1. Laser: The laser (light amplification by stimulated emission of radiation) is a highly concentrated light source that, when used in a laser marking and welding application, is actively converting that light energy into heat. This heat can vaporize materials in thin layers from a surface in either vector or raster patterns.
  2. Controller: In a laser marking and welding machine, the controller is the hand that guides the laser. This control is programmed to determine the direction, speed of motion, intensity, and spread of the laser. Most of these machines work on x and y axes on a flat surface, but others can work on a cylindrical surface using a helix adjustment. Other machines use galvo mirrors to direct the laser beam while both the laser and surface remain stationary.
  3. Surface: The surface of the component or assembly that will be marked or welded make up the third part of the laser system. A wide range of materials can be used with a laser system, including all the metals and plastics the MultiSource network works with.
  4. Ventilation: Because a laser system vaporizes the surface material, toxic fumes are created in the process. This emission requires a specialized vacuum ventilation system that can safely remove fumes from the workspace as well as remove debris from the marking or welding process that would otherwise contaminate the operation.

While lasers are commonly used to mark serial numbers, part details, logos, and other information, they have a full and varied range of uses. MultiSource uses laser systems to provide comprehensive finishing, noninvasive assembly, improved precision, and overall increased quality.

To learn more about these and other value-added services, contact MultiSource today at (952) 456-5500, and request more information or request a quote online.

Utilizing Exotic Metals with the Right Facilities for Custom Manufacturing

At MultiSource Manufacturing, LLC we’re dedicated to providing quality products with excellent customer service. For over 20 years our network of facilities and in-house engineering and fabrication capabilities has continued to expand and improve across the board. Today, we offer comprehensive quality at every step of the way, from the design and engineering process to assembly and delivery. To maintain our reliable, unparalleled quality in all the products we work with our customers to create, we believe in starting with a solid foundation. When it comes to custom manufacturing in Minnesota and Colorado, that foundation is made up of our deep understanding of the engineering process of a product, the materials we use in the fabrication of that product, and the long-term conditions a product will endure.

 

Because every part starts with raw materials, the first resource we depend on for quality engineering and production is our materials expertise. Not only do we work with materials that adhere to major industry standards and general installation requirements, we also specialize in utilizing exotic metals that are often necessary for the production of a wide range of parts.

 

The MultiSource network works with sheet metal, surgical grade, military grade, and basic stainless steels, aluminum, titanium, magnesium, high-nickel alloys, and brass. These common industrial materials play a large role in many of the high-quality precision parts we design, fabricate, and assemble, but the exotic metals we use are also critical to comprehensive production.

 

MultiSource Exotics

 

From pure gold to super alloys, the exotic metals the MultiSource network utilizes makes it possible for us to complete the production and assembly of an even greater extent of parts. The use of exotic metals breaks limits on several part specifications and the exposure and functions any given part may be put to. For example, our engineering team is able to push durability and strength with the use of super alloys, while other metals may offer a greater resistance to high temperatures and corrosive environments. Additionally, MultiSource can control electrical or thermal conductivity in a part, provide specialty coatings and finishes, machine complex components, reduce unnecessary weight, and more with the use of our rare and exotic metals.

 

The MultiSource network is committed to providing the best for our customers with comprehensive facilities suited to working with standard and exotic metals as well as basic, exotic, and Teflon™ plastics. With a strong foundational understanding and experience with these materials, we’re able to put that expertise to use with full in-house capacity for engineering, complete custom manufacturing, and assembly.

 

To learn more about the metals we use for custom manufacturing or our plastic fabrication expertise submit a request more information, or request a quote today.

 

Benefits of Cross-functional Teams for High-Quality Design/Build Contract Manufacturing

There are many areas of industry that require highly specialized facilities, equipment, and skills. From medical devices to military equipment, the components and full assemblies made for industries that require such precision and accuracy have one characteristic in common. Each of the components made for these industries take human lives in its hands whenever it operates. For example, medical devices and tools support the safety and health of patients, and aerospace components keep people in the air and protected as they travel. MultiSource Manufacturing, LLC understands the importance of extreme precision and quality in contract manufacturing for all of these industries. With our cross-functional teams and a design/build approach to fabrication, we can provide industry-leading products with long-term integrity and reliability.

The MultiSource network provides precision-based custom manufacturing for the medical and aerospace industry, with a deep knowledge of how any given component can affect the lives of those it comes into contact with. Our team of hard-working engineers and technicians don’t take lightly the fact that our parts and assemblies must work at peak excellence for the long term. Because of this, we make use of a cross-functional team that allows the MultiSource network to work as a one-stop-shop design/build manufacturer.

Cross-functional Teams for Contract Manufacturing

Engineers: Our team of in-house engineers works one-on-one with our clients, taking their specifications or original design and creating a prototype or virtual design that meets those requirements. MultiSource engineers are skilled in structuring a schedule for the fabrication of any given component or full assembly. This includes design, production lead times, testing, quality control, and delivery.

Material Suppliers: Once our engineering team has a comprehensive design and schedule projected for complete, quality manufacturing, the next step is to find the right materials. Our engineering team is also key in determining what materials are best suited to any given component. MultiSource works with trusted suppliers for high-quality materials of all kinds, from the best stainless steels to exotic metal alloys.

Sub-Tier Suppliers: When production is complete, MultiSource works with NADCAP accredited sub-tier suppliers for aerospace manufacturing and select outside suppliers for certain parts utilized in medical device manufacturing. These process suppliers provide extensive materials testing to ensure components and other parts are highly reliable and well suited to your project.

Process Engineers: Our process engineering team provides in-depth knowledge of the physical and chemical properties of any given components. This knowledge allows our engineers to understand the limitations and tolerances of an assembly based on the structure of each component. Our process engineering is critical for predicting how a part will react to any stresses, expected or otherwise.

For aerospace and medical device production alike, every step of the fabrication process requires attention to detail, understanding of the materials involved, and state-of-the-art equipment. The cross-functional teams at MultiSource Manufacturing can provide this degree of excellence as a contract manufacturing provider. To learn more about our manufacturing services contact us at (952) 456-5500, request more information, or request a quote online.

Quality CNC Precision Machining Practices for Custom Manufacturing

Despite the changes in industrialization and global incorporation most of the world sees today, many parts of the manufacturing industry are still quite diversified. Custom manufacturing in particular is comprised of many different companies ranging from home-garages to multi-branch facilities. Because there are so many skilled custom manufacturers, the industry is highly competitive, and companies must continue to improve and update systems, equipment, and technology to hold their place.

 

MultiSource Manufacturing is committed to hold our own in this industry and strives to produce high-quality parts designed and built in-house and deliver excellent customer care at every step in the process of custom manufacturing.

 

Because CNC precision machining is an integral part involved in the process of MultiSource custom manufacturing, it’s critical that the way we perform that operation adheres to tried and true practices.

 

The MultiSource network has six locations across Minnesota and Colorado, each facility follows the same practices for quality CNC precision machining in the production of reliable custom parts.

 

Best MultiSource Machining Practices

 

  1. Invent: To successfully machine a part that precisely fits customer specifications, our engineering team utilizes advanced prototype software and imaging systems to design a cutting pattern. This pattern will provide our CNC machines with the most efficient program to lathe, mill, and machine a part.
  2. Instruct: Our engineering teams will then instruct a CNC machining center to follow the design of the cutting pattern. This involves programming the designated geometry and pattern into CNC software.
  3. Select: Our facilities host a wide range of 140 CNC machines with 3-axis and 5-axis indexed milling. Selecting the appropriate tools for the machining of a part is critical to successful production. Our machinists and engineers have a deep understanding of which mills, lathes, and turning machines will offer the most efficient and reliable cutting depending on the part.
  4. Monitor: Our CNC precision machining centers may be automated but continued human monitoring of the process is an important practice that should never be disregarded. On each MultiSource floor, operations are continuously monitored for worker safety and to prevent production mishap.
  5. Record: When a machining operation is complete, our engineers, technicians, and machinists all take part in thorough recording and analyzing of the data our CNC software provides as well as quality inspection of machined parts.
  6. Communicate: Throughout the full production process our team is also communicating with customers to continue understanding their needs and provide consistent information about part design, production, and assembly.

 

The MultiSource network has developed a strong system of CNC precision machining and custom manufacturing with a set of quality practices. To learn more about our services and locations, submit a request more information, or request a quote today.

Understanding Guidelines for Surgical Steel Used in Quality Medical Manufacturing

Among the many high-quality services MultiSource Manufacturing, LLC, provides with our network of facilities is the design and fabrication of medical device components. When it comes to manufacturing parts and components for medical devices, it’s critical to the health and safety of every patient across the world to establish extremely high standards for reliability, quality, and precision. MultiSource is dedicated to maintaining manufacturing practices that exceed standards for the medical device industry, including responsible materials-sourcing for all projects we take on. For many medical manufacturing projects, the parts and components require surgical-grade steel in order to fabricate the most reliable medical devices.

 

Surgical-grade steel is a nonspecific term for a variety of stainless steels used in the fabrication of many different tools, including most medical devices and other biomedical purposes.

 

Surgical Steel

 

The surgical steel utilized in most medical applications includes:

 

  1. Austenitic 316: This surgical steel is an alloy of nickel, chromium, and molybdenum that is highly resistant to corrosion and has adequate strength for medical devices and implants that are pressure-bearing. Alloys also used for pressure-bearing biomedical implants are typically titanium (Ti6Al4V, specifically), but the surgical steel 316 is also suitable, and it’s more economical than titanium.
  2. Martensitic 440 and 420: These steels are used for cutlery production, but they are also well suited for surgical-grade applications of the material. As high-carbon steels alloyed with chromium, 440 and 420 surgical-grade steels are very resistant to corrosion, though less so than 316. However, they are much harder than 316. Because they are harder than 316 but not as resistant to corrosion, 440 and 420 are often used to manufacture surgical implements and medical cutting tools.

 

The MultiSource network utilizes 316, 440, and 420 surgical-grade steels as well as a range of additional industry-approved and safely-sourced materials to fabricate many key components that go into a variety of medical devices. From surgical equipment to implantable devices, medical providers can rely on MultiSource to manufacture the highest quality parts and components that are the most reliable in the long term thanks to the materials used and the expertise of our fabricators.

 

Some of the more unusual and advanced medical manufacturing projects that we take on, like designing and producing parts for surgical navigation or ablation devices, benefit especially from our surgical-grade materials and our excellence in fabrication because of their unique complexities and relatively new introduction into medicine.

 

To learn more about our services in medical manufacturing or to partner with us, request more information or a quote online.

Expanding the Basics of Fulfillment Services for Smart Manufacturing with MultiSource

The MultiSource Manufacturing network spans across the Upper Midwest to Colorado, but our contract manufacturing services offer global availability. From the high-powered aerospace and defense manufacturing industry to the precise intricacies of the medical device production industry, the MultiSource network provides excellence in design, manufacturing, and service that OEMs and other customers across the world need.

 

Because the scope of our services is wide enough to cover the globe, each of our facilities must adhere to strict quality assurance and basic principles for fulfillment services to maintain a reliable manufacturing operation.

 

While the standard principles for quality control and fulfillment services are excellent for outlining the foundation of MultiSource practices, our network of facilities works to expand those basic principles daily.

 

Basic Fulfillment Services Standards

 

  1. Logic in production from initial designs to finally shipping.
  2. Automation of production equipment and processes.
  3. Inventory management for parts, materials, components, and final products.
  4. Communication, including basic customer service and conversation between parties involved.

 

Expanding Beyond the Basics

 

For the last 20 years, MultiSource has taken those basic principles for fulfillment services and ran with them, expanding above and beyond in our practices. Respectively this includes:

 

  1. MultiSource uses lean manufacturing processes and precision-based procedures at all stages of production to fabricate highly complex, reliable, and long-lasting components for a wide range of industries. Our equipment is state-of-the-art from the simplest finishing tool to the most advanced machining center.
  2. In every possible application, MultiSource works to automate, eliminating human error and creating a low-waste, rapid production mindset. Not only does this include multiple formats for CNC machining and design with CAD/CAM prototyping, but also CMM and vision systems for quality control.
  3. With our rapid production processes, perfection in inventory management is critical. Our teams of project managers work with continually-updating software and inventory record systems to keep exact, to-the-minute data. With our materials expertise and lean manufacturing processes, we’re able to maintain a well-tuned system of inventory flow.
  4. Because the MultiSource network is comprised of multiple facilities with varying capabilities, communication between all parties is just as important as the production process itself. Our teams keep a constant path of communication between our facilities, management teams, technicians, engineers, and of course, customers.

 

Without the basic fundamentals of service fulfillment and quality control practices, our contract manufacturing services would not be the industry-leading quality they are today. Building on top of that foundation, the MultiSource network expands beyond with fulfillment services and quality control that’s so much more than what’s described here. To learn more about our contract manufacturing services, contact MultiSource at (952) 456-5500, request more information, or request a quote today.