[Webinar Recording] Serial Production with Xometry

All of our partners enter mutual NDAs with us before we get started, similar to the ones we establish with our customers, forming a closed-loop system internally. We also redact sensitive information and specifications. Our ERP also allows us to identify trusted manufacturers who have worked on previous projects for you so we can offer bespoke manufacturing solutions.

"Tooling" is defined differently for different processes. For CNC projects, tooling often refers to specific tools like cutters, endmills, etc., which are procured as needed. Tools for these types of projects are expected investments and are often trivial in terms of overall cost.

For processes like injection molding or casting, tooling (e.g., molds) is a large part of the project, and there is no way around producing multiple tools if production needs to occur simultaneously at different locations. If a customer prefers to have two locations ready to do the work, but only one location has the tool and the other is intended as a backup, such as for geopolitical derisk reasons, then an NRE is associated with the backup location so they fully understand the project, are prepared and are ready to take over if needed.

We try to manage as much as possible on the supplier side via dedicated production managers who are intended to be the primary point of contact. Minor ambiguities can usually be addressed this way. However, in some instances, a three-way conversation between supplier, customer, and Xometry is the most effective approach. We are happy to facilitate these discussions to ensure a rapid resolution for any amendments or concerns.

As a company that has helped manufacture millions of parts, the occasional issue is bound to arise, and we have the personal experience to handle virtually any problem that crops up. Our QMS (quality management system) dictates specific processes and procedures to be followed to handle non-conformances. This includes investigating the issue, understanding how it happened through root-cause analysis, understanding who the responsible party was, etc. Once we fully understand why an NCR occurred, we can properly address it in an appropriate manner and offer remediation.

In most cases, we aim to have the same supplier complete repeat work or production orders, presuming there were no issues with previous orders. However, there are instances where resourcing may be necessary, such as if the production quantity is beyond the capacity of the original supplier.

Challenges vary; for example, a large enterprise will have different experiences and challenges than a fresh startup will. A common pain point is time, whether it's waiting for additional data or drawings to move forward or trying to align and synchronize everyone's timelines. We try to mitigate that as much as possible through our engineering resources and project managers.

Xometry is familiar with applying dozens of finishes to various standards (e.g., MIL-Specs); however, there are cases where uncommon requirements arise. This is where we apply our dedicated finishing network, which is made up of suppliers who only specialize in finishing and are experts at what they do. We have established strong connections with various different types of finishing suppliers, allowing us to catch potential callout mistakes early on, hit unique specifications, and offer special testing to meet your quality control requirements. If you have a list of approved finishers, we are happy to work within that list as well.

At Xometry, a large part of our work is data-driven engineering. We've built a robust ERP and database that tracks each supplier's exact capabilities and even which machinery they have available. This allows us to rapidly sort and assign the right suppliers to the required work. We maintain active relationships with our suppliers as well to foster a collaborative environment. With inventory management, Xometry is able to coordinate and assist with managing safety stocks in our facilities and is able to work with our suppliers to regulate production volume to match your current demand.

Yes, Xometry does this routinely, especially when it comes to production orders. We can facilitate on-site tours to meet your quality system requirements and offer advanced inspection options, such as source inspections.

We utilize a PPAP (Production Part Approval Process) and accompanying documentation to achieve manufacturing consistency between suppliers and ensure the same group of suppliers is utilized for a given project.