Combining technology and machining expertise for efficient sourcing of custom machined parts

“Artificial intelligence (AI) is always used as a tool where it helps to solve tasks in our automated part analysis based on the CAD file and 2D drawing, as well as in our algorithms for manufacturing planning. However, AI is always embedded in analytical methods that map the machining knowledge of our experts,” Lucas Giering, Head of Product at Spanflug explains. The high degree of automation eliminiates the need for users to make manual entries. The solution provides precise instant prices for most turning and milling parts. Another advantage of the platform’s automatic price calculation, as opposed to the RFQ process via the external supplier base, is that sensitive design data of parts never has to be passed on to third parties for quoting. Purchasers can also place orders for the quoted parts with just a few clicks, reducing the time for the entire procurement process, which would normally take several days, to just a few minutes.

Not for every manufacturing task and part, instant pricing is the ideal way of procurement, especially not for larger projects, larger order volumes, series parts and parts with special requirements. But even with such project RFQs, Spanflug wants to save its customers time and money by partially automating the quoting process. This is why the experts also make use of the platform’s algorithms here. Purchasers receive their quotes in a short time – usually within 2 working days. In this case, the part data is passed on to selected partners only. Despite all the advantages of digital technologies, customer managers in Spanflug’s operations team support customers with more complex procurement tasks. Spanflug therefore not only relies on modern software technology to ensure the success of its platform, but also employs a growing team of customer managers and machining professionals.

When parts are assigned to the best match among more than 6,000 CNC machines, an algorithm first selects possible manufacturing partners for each part. Not only are the results of the part analysis checked against manufacturing expertise and capacities available in the network to meet the delivery time. The distance to the delivery location is also taken into account in order to reduce delivery times and costs as well as CO2 emissions. Although manufacturing partners accept the part orders digitally and directly via the platform, Spanflug provides each customer with a personal support manager who also oversees the entire order processing. Spanflug coordinates all project steps and handles requests, such as technical queries. In this way, Spanflug makes the day-to-day work of purchasers much easier.