Build-to-print manufacturing represents the ultimate turnkey solution for companies seeking comprehensive production services from a single, trusted partner. This approach involves manufacturing parts exactly according to customer-provided technical drawings and specifications, eliminating the need to manage multiple vendors and streamline the entire production process. At Fairchild Precision Parts, we’ve perfected our build-to-print manufacturing process over 80 years, delivering precision components complete to print for industries ranging from aerospace to medical devices.
What Is Build-to-Print Manufacturing?
Build-to-print manufacturing is a comprehensive service where manufacturers produce parts based entirely on customer-provided engineering drawings and specifications. This turnkey approach means the manufacturer handles all aspects of production, from material procurement to final quality control, delivering finished parts ready for use. Unlike traditional manufacturing arrangements, where customers may need to coordinate multiple suppliers, build-to-print consolidates the entire process under one roof.
The complete manufacturing solution encompasses material sourcing, machining operations, secondary processes, quality control, and logistics coordination. Customers provide detailed technical drawings with specifications, tolerances, and material requirements, while the manufacturer assumes responsibility for all production aspects.
Our process at Fairchild demonstrates how build-to-print manufacturing streamlines production while maintaining the highest quality standards. We leverage our comprehensive capabilities overview to deliver complete solutions that meet or exceed customer expectations.
The Complete Manufacturing Solution
A true build-to-print solution begins with raw materials and ends with finished, inspected parts ready for immediate use. This comprehensive approach encompasses material verification, machining operations, secondary processes such as heat treatment or plating, and final inspection. Quality control integration throughout the process ensures parts meet all specifications before shipment.
The turnkey nature eliminates the need for customers to coordinate multiple vendors, manage separate quality systems, or track materials through various suppliers. Instead, customers receive finished parts with complete documentation, including material certifications and inspection reports. This consolidation reduces costs, improves quality consistency, and accelerates time-to-market for critical components.
The Build-to-Print Process at Fairchild
Our build-to-print manufacturing process begins with comprehensive analysis of customer technical drawings and specifications. Our engineering team reviews each drawing for manufacturability, identifying potential improvements or risks before production begins. This proactive approach prevents costly issues during production and ensures optimal manufacturing efficiency from the start.
Material sourcing follows strict protocols to ensure compliance with customer specifications and industry standards. We work with certified suppliers and require material certifications for all raw materials used in production. Production planning integrates our Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system to track progress throughout every operation until completion.
Build-to-print process steps:
- Technical drawing analysis and manufacturability review
- Material sourcing and certification verification
- Production planning and scheduling optimization
- Manufacturing execution with in-process quality control
- Secondary operations coordination and management
- Final inspection and dimensional verification
- Documentation preparation and certification assembly
- Packaging and on-time delivery coordination
Engineering Review and Design for Manufacturability
Our engineering review process commences immediately upon receipt of the customer’s drawings and specifications. Experienced engineers analyze tolerances, material specifications, and geometric requirements to identify the most efficient manufacturing approach. This analysis often reveals opportunities for cost reduction or quality improvements that benefit both production efficiency and final part performance.
Design for manufacturability considerations include tool access, setup requirements, and sequence optimization to minimize production time and costs. When potential issues are identified, we proactively communicate with customers to discuss alternatives or modifications that could improve manufacturability without compromising part function.
Quality Assurance in Build-to-Print Manufacturing
Quality assurance in build-to-print manufacturing requires comprehensive systems that ensure every aspect of production meets stringent standards. Our AS9100D and ISO 9001:2015 certifications provide the framework for consistent quality management throughout all operations. These certifications ensure that our processes meet the requirements of the aerospace and defense industry, while providing the reliability that all customers demand.
Quality control measures:
- Material certifications verification for all raw materials
- In-process inspection checkpoints at critical operations
- Final dimensional verification using calibrated equipment
- Certificate of Conformance documentation for traceability
Documentation requirements vary by industry and application; however, our systems are designed to accommodate the most stringent standards. Material certifications, inspection reports, and compliance documentation accompany every shipment, providing complete traceability. This documentation proves invaluable for customers operating under strict regulatory requirements.
Secondary Operations and Value-Added Services
Build-to-print manufacturing often requires secondary operations beyond basic machining to deliver complete, ready-to-use parts. Heat treatment services modify material properties to meet strength, hardness, or stress relief requirements specified on customer drawings. Surface treatments, including plating, anodizing, and coating, provide corrosion resistance, wear protection, or cosmetic enhancement.
Assembly services enable the delivery of complete sub-assemblies rather than individual components, reducing customer labor and ensuring proper fit and function. Special testing and certification services cater to industry-specific requirements, including non-destructive testing, hardness verification, and dimensional inspection, utilizing specialized equipment.
Common secondary operations:
- Heat treatment and stress relief for material property modification
- Surface treatments and coatings for protection and appearance
- Assembly and sub-assembly services for complete solutions
- Special testing and certifications for regulatory compliance
Vendor management for secondary operations ensures consistent quality and delivery performance across all services. Our value-added services leverage established relationships with qualified suppliers who meet our quality standards. This management eliminates the need for customers to qualify and coordinate multiple secondary service providers.
Managing External Vendors and Suppliers
Effective vendor management ensures that all secondary operations meet the same quality standards as in-house manufacturing operations. Vendor qualification processes verify capabilities, quality systems, and delivery performance before approval for customer work. Quality standards enforcement includes regular audits and performance monitoring to ensure continued compliance.
Lead time coordination integrates secondary operation schedules with main production timelines to ensure on-time delivery. Single-source convenience means customers receive finished parts with all operations complete, eliminating the complexity of coordinating multiple suppliers.
Industries Served with Build-to-Print Solutions
Aerospace and defense contractors rely heavily on build-to-print manufacturing for critical components where quality, traceability, and regulatory compliance are paramount. These industries require comprehensive documentation, material certifications, and adherence to strict quality standards that build-to-print manufacturers like Fairchild routinely provide. ITAR registration and AS9100D certification enable us to support defense contractors with sensitive applications.
Medical device manufacturers benefit from build-to-print services that accommodate FDA regulations and biocompatibility requirements. The comprehensive quality systems and documentation capabilities essential for medical applications align perfectly with professional build-to-print manufacturing processes. Industrial equipment companies utilize build-to-print services for custom components and replacement parts where drawings specify exact requirements.
Key industries for build-to-print:
- Aerospace and defense contractors requiring certified processes
- Medical device manufacturers needing FDA-compliant production
- Industrial equipment companies seeking custom components
- Measurement and instrumentation firms requiring precision parts
Our experience across diverse aerospace applications and defense manufacturing provides the expertise necessary for success in these demanding markets. Each industry brings unique requirements that our build-to-print process accommodates through flexible, comprehensive service offerings.
Regulatory Compliance and Certifications
Regulatory compliance requirements vary significantly across industries, making certified build-to-print manufacturers essential for companies operating under strict standards. ITAR registration enables support for defense contractors working with controlled technologies and sensitive applications. AS9100D certification provides the quality management framework necessary for aerospace applications, where safety and reliability are paramount.
Medical device standards, including ISO 13485 and FDA regulations, require comprehensive quality systems and documentation that professional build-to-print manufacturers routinely maintain. Industry-specific compliance needs often include special testing, material certifications, and process controls that experienced manufacturers can provide.
Benefits of Choosing Build-to-Print Manufacturing
Reduced supplier management represents one of the most significant benefits of build-to-print manufacturing. Instead of coordinating multiple vendors for materials, machining, secondary operations, and inspection, customers work with a single point of contact who manages all aspects of production. This consolidation reduces administrative overhead, simplifies purchasing processes, and improves communication efficiency.
A single point of contact means customers receive updates, delivery schedules, and quality information from a single source, rather than tracking multiple suppliers. Risk mitigation occurs through consolidated responsibility and accountability, with the build-to-print manufacturer assuming responsibility for all aspects of part production. Cost savings result from bulk purchasing power, reduced administrative costs, and optimized production planning.
Time-to-market advantages arise from streamlined processes, reduced coordination complexity, and the ability to initiate production immediately without the need for extensive vendor qualification processes. These benefits become particularly valuable for time-sensitive projects or new product introductions where speed and reliability are critical.
Cost Savings and Efficiency Gains
Consolidated vendor management eliminates duplicate administrative costs and reduces the resources required to manage multiple supplier relationships. Bulk purchasing power enables better material pricing and improved availability, particularly for common materials used across multiple projects. Reduced administrative overhead includes simplified purchase orders, receiving processes, and quality documentation management.
Streamlined logistics coordination involves single shipments rather than multiple deliveries from various suppliers, resulting in reduced freight costs and complexity. These efficiency gains translate directly into cost savings, while also improving service quality and delivery reliability. The cumulative effect often results in lower total costs despite potentially higher per-hour manufacturing rates.
Technology and Equipment for Build-to-Print Success
Advanced CNC capabilities enable build-to-print manufacturers to handle diverse part geometries and tolerance requirements using modern equipment and programming techniques. Swiss machining integration offers exceptional precision for small-diameter parts that require tight tolerances and high-volume production. Inspection equipment, including coordinate measuring machines and optical comparators, ensures dimensional verification meets customer specifications.
ERP system tracking provides real-time visibility into production status, material availability, and delivery schedules. This technology integration enables proactive communication with customers and ensures on-time delivery performance.
Our Swiss CNC turning capabilities complement traditional cnc milling services to provide comprehensive manufacturing solutions. This equipment diversity ensures we can handle virtually any precision machining requirement within our build-to-print service offering.
Quality Control Technology and Inspection
Coordinate measuring machines provide precise dimensional verification for complex geometries and tight tolerance requirements. Optical comparators enable rapid inspection of profiles and surface characteristics while maintaining measurement accuracy. Surface finish measurement equipment verifies texture requirements specified on customer drawings.
Dimensional verification tools, including micrometers, height gauges, and specialized fixtures, ensure comprehensive inspection capabilities. This equipment investment demonstrates a commitment to quality while providing the measurement capabilities necessary for demanding applications.
Start Your Build-to-Print Project with Fairchild Precision Parts
Fairchild Precision Parts brings over 80 years of precision manufacturing experience to every build-to-print project, ensuring superior quality and reliable delivery performance. Our comprehensive capabilities, including build-to-print manufacturing expertise, span aerospace, defense, medical, and industrial applications where precision, quality, and reliability are non-negotiable. Contact our team to review your build-to-print requirements and learn how we can streamline your supply chain while enhancing quality and delivery performance.