Category: Contract Manufacturing

The MultiSource Manufacturing LLC network operates as several facilities across the Midwest. Our manufacturing locations have a comprehensive range of capabilities, technologies, and skilled team members. MultiSource was founded in 1998 and expanded to include all our branches today. Thanks to our trusted collaborating locations, we are able to manufacture precision-based parts, components, and full assemblies for multiple industries, including medical device, semiconductor, aerospace, defense, food packaging, and more. From the prototyping to the finishing processes, we can complete any project, big or small, for original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) worldwide. When it comes to managing the journey of these projects, our project management practices and teams are key for continued communication, direct results, and reliable quality. If you need a contract manufacturer for any parts, the MultiSource network has the attention to detail and customer care of a small shop with the machining and engineering capabilities of a global operation.

Project Management Systems

While it may seem like a broad concept historically, the development of the project management systems we utilize actually have direct roots in civil engineering and defense strategies.

History

Before the 1900s, engineering projects requiring specific project management approaches were done by individuals such as architects, master builders, and engineers. One of the oldest examples of a creative individual running his own project management systems is Vitruvius during the 1st century BCE. Vitruvius was an architect who created building principles that were largely adopted into all future Roman architecture.

Forefathers

After the turn of the 19th century, industrial growth required a more standardized approach to project management. Henry Gantt and Henri Fayol are both considered forefathers of the modern project management system. In 1910, Gantt created the Gantt chart, one of the first bar charts that outlines a project schedule while taking into account the interdependence of each building stage.

Henri Fayol

Henri Fayol developed a theory of business administration and scientific project management (sometimes called Fayolism). His theory included six kinds of project organization and categorized activities, including technical, commercial, financial, security, accounting, and managerial.

Project Management Practices

Project management practices progressed even further through both World Wars, and by the 1950s, it was recognized as its own discipline as management with the engineering model. Two main mathematical management systems were developed: the critical path method (CPM) and the program evaluation and review technique (PERT). By the 1970s, most automotive, defense, and other global industries were using standardized project management strategies.

Contract Manufacturer

Today, as a contract manufacturer for a wide range of industries, MultiSource utilizes highly optimized management systems that aim for overall success of part design, production, assembly, and integration. Our project management systems have been a foundation for our 40+ years of experience working as a contract manufacturer for OEMs worldwide.

To learn how our equipment can fit into your production line, contact Forpak at (612) 419-1948 or forpaksupport@multisourcemfg.com. You can also request more information online today or request a quote.

In the past two hundred years, the world has moved through several social, cultural, political, and technological changes, including three industrial revolutions. The First Industrial Revolution occurred between the mid-1700s and mid-1800s with a transition into steam and water power. The Second Industrial Revolution occurred between the late 1800s and early 1900s, when railroads became widespread and electricity was introduced for many different applications. The Third Industrial Revolution began in the late 1980s with the burst of computer technology and the internet. In the last 20 years, we’ve been moving through the Fourth Industrial Revolution, which came about through the rapid growth in the expanse of internet connectivity, machine learning, artificial intelligence, and augmented realities. As a contract manufacturer building precision-based parts, components, and full assemblies, MultiSource Manufacturing LLC grows and advances with the industries we serve.

Industry 4.0

Industry 4.0 is the conceptualization of the Fourth Industrial Revolution. Its core aspects emphasize the connectivity, automation, and rapid advancements in the technological capabilities of modern industry.

Contract Manufacturer

MultiSource works as a contract manufacturer for a broad range of industries that require extreme precision, highly reliable quality, and trusted materials, including the medical device, semiconductor, aerospace, and defense industries. We also work with our Forpak partners to build innovative automated food processing equipment that meets strict food safety standards.

All of the parts and assemblies we manufacture for these industries fit into the mold of Industry 4.0 through our prototyping, technology, and practices.

Prototyping:

MultiSource engineers practice reverse engineering based on proven specifications and geometries, but we also provide prototyping services using intelligent CAD systems, 3D printing, and CNC controls. Our prototyping strategies follow Industry 4.0’s core elements of information transparency, massive data collection, and computer support. Throughout the prototyping process, we have a fully open line of communication with all our clients.

Technology:

Our facilities have always hosted state-of-the-art technology and highly precise machining centers. Today, we have access to a wide range of technology across our six fabrication locations. Intelligent automation is another key component of Industry 4.0. Our multi-axis CNC machining centers, advanced software programs, computer technology, and other tools push our production floor into the future.

Practices:

Throughout our facilities, from the customer service desk to the clean room, our practices continue to support Industry 4.0’s value for communication and connectivity. We find projects run smoothly and yield the highest quality products with a network of communication across all our departments and at every stage of the production process.

The Fourth Industrial Revolution

The Fourth Industrial Revolution will change many parts of our world, but manufacturers and engineers will see some of the first new standards take place. To learn more about our work as a contract manufacturer, contact MultiSource Manufacturing LLC today at (952) 456-5500, request more information, or request a quote.

 

For all the industries we at Multisource Manufacturing LLC serve, precision is a necessary factor in our machining, tooling, and other fabrication processes. We operate a network of facilities with access to over 140 computer numerical control (CNC) machines, including machines with 3-axis and 5-axis indexed milling capabilities. Our team of more than 300 employees operates with seamless lean manufacturing practices for all projects, including the production of original equipment manufacturer (OEM) parts, components, and full assemblies. For all our precision contract manufacturing work, quality is critical. Our quality control practices take place in every stage of fabrication, from prototyping to packaging. In compliance with international standards and our own personal goals for excellence, we perform rigorous quality control processes, including simulation diagnostics, testing of working components in high-stress environments, precise geometric measurements with Zeiss coordinate-measuring machines (CMMs), and vision system analysis for first-class inspection.

Quality Control

Quality control diagnostics with CMMs and vision systems provide us with unique solutions for guaranteeing the geometric accuracy of precisely machined parts. For contract manufacturing, CMMs are key in automating important parts of the quality control process.

Function

Our CMMs are free-standing machines that use bridge-type coordinate measuring controlled through state-of-the-art software for fast and accurate geometric readings. Using a probe along the three XYZ dimensional axes, each with a sensor monitor, the CMM can measure exact coordinates on an object surface. A coordinate measurement is recorded and the process is repeated until the CMM can detect and relay the precise geometry of a part. The readings are translated through an intelligent software program that compares information against design specifications. We utilize CMM diagnostics for most parts, but it is especially useful in testing parts before and after they are assembled.

Accuracy

The main benefit of using a CMM for quality control is the extreme accuracy of its readings and the precision we can achieve thanks to those systems. Repeatability of a sensor probe, multiple axes, and the angling capabilities of the coordinate measurements allow our CMMs to read tolerances within 0.001mm (0.00005 in). We calibrate our CMMs before each new part is tested to ensure baseline conditions are standardized.

Coordinate Measuring Machine

The first CMMs were developed in the 1950s and worked only along two axes. Three axis CMMs entered the industrial world in the 1960s, and early computer control systems for CMMs were introduced in the 1970s. Since then, the use of CMMs for high precision parts spread throughout many different manufacturing industries. Modern CMMs, while highly accurate, powerful pieces of technology, are commonplace in many facilities.

To learn more about the role CMMs play in our quality control processes, or for more information about our contract manufacturing services, contact MultiSource Manufacturing LLC at (952) 456-5500. You can also request more information or request a quote to get started with us today.

As an industry-leading manufacturer for a broad range of industries, including those requiring extreme precision, intricate components, and clean room handling, MultiSource Manufacturing LLC knows how important it is to source only the best materials for your production floor. We work with several types of metals, including exotic alloys and sheet metal as well as multiple plastics and polymers. MultiSource Manufacturing LLC pours its materials expertise into sourcing at each of our locations so we can get exactly what we need for every part and full assembly that we make. For all our contract manufacturing services, you can trust us to use the highest quality industrial materials without compromising excessive costs.

As a network of contract manufacturing facilities, the materials we source to fabricate components and full assemblies for OEMs and other customers include:

Aluminum:

Aluminum is one of the most common materials we use because of its versatility and durability. We use aluminum to build parts for a variety of industries, including aerospace and defense, medical, financial processing, and more.

Steels:

Steel is used in a broad range of fabrication processes. We use a variety of steels, including stainless steel for food-grade components, among many others; surgical steel for medical device production, military grade steel for aerospace and defense manufacturing; and basic steels such as low, mild, and high carbon grades.

Titanium:

As one of the strongest metals available to the manufacturing world, titanium is highly useful for many production applications. It is especially key in fabricating components that are durable, flexible, and can hold up to high-stress scenarios when used in aerospace, defense, and medical industries.

 

Other metals: In addition to sheet metal, steels, and titanium, we source several other high-quality metals for fabricating different parts. This includes aluminum, magnesium, and brass in addition to high-nickel alloys.

 

Exotic metals: Along with exotic alloys of steel, titanium, magnesium, brass, and aluminum, we also source and manufacture with exotics like inconel, hastelloy, molybdenum, platinum, chromium, cobalt, monel, tungsten, and more.

 

Plastics: Plastics are highly effective materials for many industrial applications. MultiSource performs expert plastic welding, bending, forming, and other techniques with different polymer materials. We utilize basic polymers that we source and make in-house, but we also work with Teflon™ and exotic plastics.

Because we have multiple locations that manufacture components and assemblies used worldwide in such a broad range of industries, it’s highly critical that we can count on our materials to meet the same quality we promise all our customers. To ensure that quality, we dedicate time and money to our sourcing departments and partner with trusted suppliers.

Contract Manufacturing:

To learn more about the contract manufacturing services we provide for global original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) and other customers, contact MultiSource Manufacturing LLC at (952) 456-5500. Request more information or request a quote to get started with us today.

 

 

 

 

 

 

MultiSource Manufacturing LLC provides comprehensive contract manufacturing for a wide range of industries. We supply OEMs and other customers with precise components and full assemblies. The materials we source for fabrication projects include sheet metals, multiple grades of stainless steel, titanium, aluminum, high-nickel alloys, brass, magnesium, exotic metals, and various plastics and polymers. If you’re looking for complete design/build manufacturing services for any size project, the MultiSource network has the facilities, equipment, expertise, material sources, and design capabilities to get the job done quickly and efficiently.

Customers who partner with MultiSource for contract manufacturing will benefit from our foundational values as a company and our extensive production floor capabilities.

Customer Focused:

MultiSource is a network of locations throughout the Minnesota and Colorado, but we serve customers globally. We work with the customer-focused mentality of a small business, yet we have the operational capacity of an industrial plant. From prototyping a design to shipping final parts with Just-in-Time delivery, MultiSource works with a strong emphasis on meeting exact customer specifications and communication with clients throughout.

Precision Based:

With over 200 CNC machining centers, including 3, 4, and 5-axis indexed mills, MultiSource can perfect the accuracy and precision of all production results. Our prototyping process predetermines part guidelines to the closest tolerances. Not only do our fabrication practices meet our own high standards for precision, we also maintain multiple ISO manufacturing certifications.

Equipment: In addition to the many CNC mills, lathes, and swiss machines on our production floors, we have laser marking, welding (for both polymer and metal), plating, heat treating, painting, and other finishing technologies. Our prototyping equipment uses precise CAD/CAM software paired with additive manufacturing and 3D printing systems. MultiSource prototyping, machining, assembly, and finishing equipment all make it possible for our engineers and technicians to provide the highest quality parts possible.

Specialty Capabilities: On top of our precision-based main production technologies, we also have specialized equipment that allows us to manufacture for very demanding industries, including the medical device, aerospace, and semiconductor industries. Our engineers and technicians can fabricate intricate parts for semiconductors with wet processing and microchip handling methods, surgical-grade components for medical devices, rocketry systems for the aerospace industry, and more.

Contract Manufacturing:

MultiSource is an industry-leading provider of contract manufacturing for many industries. Our commitment to excellence with a precision and customer focus is what drives us to always deliver the best results we can. To learn more about the benefits of working with MultiSource Manufacturing LLC, contact us at (952) 456-5500. Request more information, or request a quote for more information today.

At MultiSource Manufacturing LLC, we continually strive to improve our services and practices as a contract manufacturer. A significant part of how we improve is with the feedback of our customers, our partners, and our own employees. Taking feedback into account is the first step in improving our operations, expanding our role in the industry, and meeting our customers’ needs. The next step in that process, however, is analyzing the feedback we receive and understanding how to develop new practices where needed. Once new practices are developed, the final step is determining how to implement these best practices without compromising other systems. This method of improvement is a largely cyclical process of gaining feedback, making improvements, and diagnosing the performance of the changes and operations floor overall. The most effective way to establish a system that enacts that cycle is to embrace lean innovation concepts for contract manufacturing.

While most industry players have a deep understanding of implementing lean manufacturing and a general definition of lean innovation practices, they don’t always know that today’s idea of lean innovation is a much newer concept. Lean innovation is targeted to the design and engineering processes more so than the manufacturing process itself.

What is lean innovation?

Five key phases need to be taken into account when applying lean innovation practices for today’s production world.

1. Listen: Receive feedback from your customers at various integrals in the timeline of product function.
2. Target: Find where the issue is from an engineering standpoint, taking into consideration all stress and factors of the customer’s facilities.
3. Solve: Develop a solution for the targeted issue.
4. Prototype: Using precision-based tactics, create a prototype to replace any parts and assemblies that posed an issue.
5. Test: Implement rigorous testing practices on the prototype before generating a final product.

How does it work for contract manufacturing?

In the world of contract manufacturing, implementing lean innovation concepts for improving previous projects or altering any final components past the build phase can be difficult. This is partly because many products are uniquely tailored to customer specifications and partly because it may not be helpful to rethink past projects that won’t need to be produced again. On the other hand, lean innovation results can be universal within a component or full assembly function. For example, if a customer needs a product that is new to your engineers, lean innovation tactics come in by taking into account feedback from past projects that used similar components. This can be as simple as a threaded screw design that needed correction from a failure after years of use.

Lean innovation is a largely generalized process we are all doing a little bit all the time. However, when it comes to targeting issues and improving in something like precision contract manufacturing, it can be incredibly important to break each phase down into as much detail as possible. To learn more about our services, contact MultiSource Manufacturing LLC at (952) 456-5500. You can also request more information or request a quote online today.

In any modern manufacturing facility, the use of software systems and digitally controlled equipment is necessary. Even the simplest, smallest fabrication facility most likely uses software for some purpose, whether that means automated equipment, inventory tracking, engineering and design, simulations and troubleshooting, or general calculations.

At MultiSource Manufacturing LLC, we utilize software programs for a wide range of purposes. From the office to the production floor, intelligent digital tools make it possible for us to provide OEMs and other customers with the precision and excellence we’re known for. As an industry-leading provider of contract manufacturing, we use software to improve our company daily and continue to provide the broad range of fabrication and design services we offer.

MultiSource Manufacturing produces components and full assemblies for many different industries, including medical, defense, aerospace, food, semiconductor, and more. Software programs are used comprehensively on each part of the production floor for all manufacturing and general day-to-day needs. Some primary examples of how we implement software include:

 

• Project management: For the scheduling, outlining, and delegating of any project we take on, software plays an important role in generating information, estimating timelines, determining materials and tools, and sharing all that information among the parties involved.
• Prototyping: For CAD/CAM design and general virtual prototyping, software systems are key. We use software specialized to engineering a digital 3D image, projecting specifications, generating calculations and predictions, and producing a 3D printed part.
• Automated equipment: A large majority of our equipment on the production floor is automated. From versatile horizontal and vertical machining centers to calibrated plastic welding equipment, our equipment relies on software programs for direction. This automation provides the precision and accuracy required for the many intricate or complex parts and full assemblies we manufacture.
• Inspection and simulation: When prototypes or finished components are completed, our team of expert technicians utilize specialty software programs to run thorough diagnostics of the condition of fabricated parts. They also perform comprehensive simulations that predict the behavior of components and full assemblies in a functioning setting with likely stress factors.
• Maintenance program: To protect the integrity of our manufacturing practices, MultiSource adheres to a well-oiled maintenance program and upkeep schedule. With maintenance-scheduling software, predictive software technologies, and digital analysis, we can maintain an optional condition in all areas of our facility.
• Inventory tracking: From materials and parts we use in daily production to cleaning supplies and staff safety tools, our inventory tracking database relies on a software program that can handle complex records. Our inventory tracking software makes sure we have what we need to keep our production schedule streamlined while continuing to meet global industrial certification standards and OSHA goals.

 

In addition to the preceding uses, software plays an important role at MultiSource facilities. To learn more about our contract manufacturing capabilities and the software we use, contact MultiSource Manufacturing LLC at (952) 456-5500. Also, you can request more information or request a quote online to get started with us today.

At MultiSource Manufacturing LLC, our network of facilities manufactures custom components and assemblies for an extremely varied and wide range of industries using a broad spectrum of equipment and operations. Because of the range of our manufacturing services, quality control and safety at every step are the most critical aspects of our daily standard practices. To meet national and global standards for quality contract manufacturing and excellence of service, the MultiSource network continually works to maintain certifications annually. Our current certifications with the ISO (International Organization for Standardization) and the SAE International meet some of the highest levels of excellence in advanced contract manufacturing and design.

 

Each of our multiple branches is certified for the specific industries it serves. For example, some branches are certified for aerospace manufacturing, while others are specialized for medical devices and equipment production. Our current ISO and SAE certifications include:

 

ISO-9001: This ISO certification is a more generalized umbrella describing the standards set for a quality management/control system for the comprehensive practices of a contract manufacturer. To qualify for this certification, our facilities and staff must show that we practice standards that offer consistent quality and long-term reliability of product, meet customer satisfactions, and stay within government and legal operation regulations. For all our facilities, the standards involved in an ISO-9001 certification are met on a daily basis in all areas of operations.

 

ISO-13485: This specific ISO certification applies directly to the production of medical devices, surgical equipment, and other medical components. It’s especially important to hold this certification for manufacturing medical equipment that could be key in saving a life or providing long-term treatment. Meeting these standards means our contract manufacturing services protect the safety above all in any medical design, fabrication, assembly, packing, and shipping.

 

AS-9100D: When it comes to aerospace and defense manufacturing, the advanced technology involved requires extremely specific design, assembly, and materials. Because of this, the SAE AS-9100D certification is key in practicing quality control and managing intelligent fabrication systems in each of our aerospace manufacturing facilities. This certification pairs with an ISO-9001quality management standardization to support the best practices possible in the production of aviation, defense, aeronautics, and space travel mechanics and equipment.

 

ISO and SAE certifications are key in maintaining standardized quality across the board for contract manufacturing in many different industries. To learn more about our custom manufacturing and the MultiSource network, contact us at (952) 456-5500. Request more information, or request a quote to get started with us today.

At MultiSource Manufacturing, we provide an extensive range of contract manufacturing, fabrication, and assembly services. Because we offer such a wide variety of manufacturing at very different scales, it’s important to us that we implement waste reduction and efficiency at all times. To meet standards of low environmental impact and for in-house efficiency, we operate using lean manufacturing practices.

 

Lean manufacturing was developed by Toyota in the 1970s and has since been applicable globally in many industries. As a contract manufacturing provider, we use lean manufacturing practices to provide precision-based production, rapid prototyping, and Just-In-Time (JIT) delivery of components and assemblies to OEMs and our other customers. When you work with the MultiSource network for any of your fabrication needs, you gain the benefits that our lean manufacturing practices promote daily.

 

The elements of a lean manufacturing system include as-needed production, flawless project management, quality materials sourcing, and intelligent engineering. With our fully-outfitted production floor, skilled technicians, design and prototype program, and expert engineers, we’re able to operate with lean manufacturing practices from the start to finish of any project.

 

Design: Using advanced CAD/CAM systems and reverse engineering, we’re able to create a digital or physical model that meets your specifications for form and function. With virtual testing, simulation, and field projections, we’re able to understand the stresses that a component or system will endure in operation and create a manufacturing process that will be the most precise and efficient. With this design program we’re able to manufacture only what’s needed and reduce waste in production.

 

Fabrication and Assembly: With a quality prototype, our CNC machining centers, assemblers, and finishing equipment can quickly fabricate and assemble the final pieces. Our production processes benefit from the use of multi-directional mills and lathes as well as Swiss machines and other finishing equipment. We also utilize a Class 3 clean room, laser marking technology, welding tools, and plastic fabrication.

 

Delivery: Because we can quickly generate an exact prototype and rapidly perform fabrication operations, MultiSource is able to offer customers Just-In-Time delivery. This means that we can get products to your facilities exactly as you need them. This JIT delivery eliminates your need for backstock, allowing you to save room, time, and cost of storage.

 

No matter what type of component or assembly you need for your facilities or production line, you can rely on Multisource Manufacturing LLC to fabricate that product with lean manufacturing practices. To learn more about our contract manufacturing services, or to get started with us today, contact us at (952) 456-5500, request a quote, or request more information.