One of the biggest hurdles in CNC machining is designing for manufacturability. While creating parts in CAD and transitioning them to a 3D printer has become a common practice, moving into full-scale production presents a whole new set of challenges.
Marc Hanchak, founder of Link Product Development, leads a Denver-based design firm that helps clients navigate the complexities of product development and CNC machining. His team specializes in solving design issues while optimizing products for efficient manufacturing.
“We do everything from concept ideation all the way through to manufacturing support,” Hanchak explains. “Our clients come to us with everything from a sketch on the back of a napkin all the way to having a product that has an issue that they can’t solve.”
Speeding Up Product Development with CNC Machining
Prototyping is an essential step in the design process, but long lead times from machine shops can slow down production. That’s where in-house CNC machining makes a difference.
“Our Tormach has allowed us to circumvent all of those long lead times that you run into with traditional machine shops,” says Hanchak. “If we had a design that we’re looking to get prototyped, we were waiting 12 to 14 weeks to get it. That’s tough on our clients.
“This CNC machine allows us to very quickly make the part, realize what it looks like, test it, and just speed up the whole process.”
By using a Tormach CNC machine in-house, Link Product Development can iterate quickly, test new designs efficiently, and ensure that parts are optimized before moving into full-scale manufacturing.
The Benefits of Using Tormach CNC Machines
For Link Product Development, Tormach’s CNC machines provide an all-in-one solution for prototyping and small-scale production.
“The one thing I do like about Tormach is it’s almost like a one-stop shop for all of the tooling needs,” says Hanchak. “You guys have tools online, you have all the holders, the TTS system is great. Instead of going to another company to buy parts, you guys have all that in one spot, which is pretty cool.”
Beyond convenience, the compact size and capabilities of Tormach machines make them ideal for smaller design firms like Link Product Development.
“The machine is really well put together. I like how compact and tidy it is, and you guys have done a really good job of actually leaving all the full features. It’s basically a fully functioning large CNC machine in a smaller package, which fits well in a space like ours because we didn’t have the real estate for a very large class.”
Bridging the Gap Between Engineers and Machinists
As CNC machining becomes more accessible, engineers and machinists are finding common ground. The availability of tools like Tormach CNC machines allows both parties to collaborate more effectively and streamline the manufacturing process.
“There’s this mutual respect now between machinists and engineers,” Hanchak explains. “The engineer kind of goes, ‘Hey, it’s really hard to machine stuff. It’s tough to get to that fourth axis point or those undercuts.’ So it makes the engineer more aware of the machinist’s challenges.
“And at the same time, the machinist can now understand what the engineer is trying to get to, so they kind of help each other out in that way.”
By leveraging Tormach CNC machines, Link Product Development not only accelerates the product development cycle but also enhances collaboration between engineers and machinists—resulting in better designs, improved manufacturability, and faster production.
