Why Is In-House Better Than Platform-Based Precision Manufacturer? – All to Know

Choosing between in-house capabilities and platform-based services in precision manufacturing is a pivotal decision for companies. This choice significantly impacts the quality, efficiency, and overall success of businesses. While both approaches have merits, in-house precision manufacturing often provides superior advantages. Thus, this article extensively highlights why in-house precision manufacturing stands out as the preferred manufacturing option over platform-based alternatives for many businesses.

Precision Manufacturer: In-House vs Platform-Based

an array of advanced precision machines within factory at Zintilon

When it comes to precision manufacturing, companies often debate the merits of in-house production versus platform-based services. Overall, note that both approaches have distinct advantages and drawbacks that can significantly impact the cost and quality of production. Therefore, it’s crucial for businesses aiming to optimize their manufacturing processes to understand these differences before deciding.

Below are key reasons why in-house outshines platform-based services in precision manufacturing:

Transparent Workflow

In-house manufacturing offers a transparent workflow that allows businesses to oversee the entire production process. This transparency ensures that every step, from design to final product, is closely monitored and controlled. Additionally, companies can quickly identify and resolve any issues, leading to higher-quality outputs and reduced production errors. 

Platform-based manufacturing, on the other hand, relies on a network of third-party suppliers. While this can provide access to a broader range of expertise and capabilities, it often needs more transparency. Moreover, the lack of direct oversight means that companies must rely on the platform’s assurances regarding quality and process integrity. Therefore, in-house models appeal to clients who prioritize consistency and direct supervision.

Robust Investment in Machines

Investing in state-of-the-art machinery remains a hallmark of in-house precision manufacturing. Companies that maintain their production facilities can ensure they have the latest and most suitable equipment for their specific needs. This investment bolsters their production capabilities and ensures that the machinery is always maintained to the highest standards. Furthermore, owning the equipment allows for greater flexibility in production scheduling and customization.

Platform-based services often benefit from economies of scale, allowing them to invest in various machines and technologies. This can provide companies with access to advanced equipment without significant capital investment. 

However, the downside is that these machines are shared across multiple clients, leading to scheduling conflicts and less control over the production timeline. Additionally, reliance on third-party maintenance can sometimes result in varying machine upkeep and performance levels. Hence, in-house manufacturing is preferable for clients valuing high precision and control over machinery.

Flexible and Controllable Production

Flexibility and control are also significant advantages of in-house precision manufacturing. In-house precision manufacturers find it easier to adjust production schedules, implement design changes, and respond quickly to market demands or unforeseen issues. This level of control is particularly beneficial for industries requiring rapid prototyping and iterative design processes. In-house production also allows for better inventory management and reduces dependency on external suppliers, which can mitigate risks associated with supply chain disruptions. 

While platform-based manufacturing offers flexibility through its extensive network of suppliers, it often comes at the cost of control. Platform-based companies must coordinate with multiple parties, which can introduce delays and complicate the implementation of changes. Additionally, the standardized processes these platforms use may only sometimes align perfectly with a company’s specific requirements, potentially leading to compromises in product design and functionality. Thus, for clients who need quick responsiveness, in-house production is ideal.

Non-third Party Communication

In-house manufacturing benefits significantly from direct, non-mediated communication. This setup ensures that all teams involved in the production process, including the designers, engineers, and manufacturing staff, can collaborate seamlessly. The absence of third-party intermediaries reduces the risk of miscommunication and ensures that the production team can address issues or changes immediately. This direct communication enhances the overall efficiency of the production process and helps maintain a high level of quality control.

On the flip side, Platform-based precision manufacturing often involves multiple layers of communication between different parties, such as the platform providers, third-party manufacturers, and clients. This can lead to delays as the platform may need to relay information through several intermediaries. 

While many platforms offer integrated communication tools to streamline this process, the inherent complexity of coordinating across different organizations can still introduce challenges. This can impact the speed and clarity of communication, affecting the final product’s quality and delivery timeline. Therefore, in-house manufacturing is more suitable for clients who prioritize seamless and efficient communication.

In-House Precision Manufacturers

an operator working on a sophisticated precision machine at Zintilon

In-house precision manufacturers provide direct control over production, ensuring high-quality output and consistent performance. 

Here are some prominent in-house precision manufacturers:

Zintilon (ZTL)

Zintilon (ZTL) is a leader in precision manufacturing. It stands out with its extensive self-owned machining capabilities, which include a range of state-of-the-art machines, such as 5-axis CNC machining centers and Zeiss coordinate measuring equipment. This advanced machinery enables Zintilon to produce highly complex and precise components. 

The company invests heavily in its facilities, ensuring all equipment remains at peak performance. Zintilon’s commitment to quality is reflected in its multiple industry certifications. Zintilon has five certifications—ISO 14001:2015, ISO 9001:2015, ISO 13485:2016 (automotive), IATF 16949: 2016 (medical certification), and AS9100D (aerospace certification)—making it the most qualified metal manufacturer. These certifications guarantee that their processes meet stringent international standards. 

Additionally, Zintilon serves over 50 countries, trusted by over 15,000 businesses worldwide. This demonstrates its global reach and reliability. Thus, Zintilon’s in-house model is highly appealing to clients seeking consistent quality and reliability, particularly for industries where precision is critical.

Rapiddirect

Rapiddirect specializes in rapid prototyping and low-volume production, focusing on precision and quick turnaround times. Its in-house facilities are equipped with various CNC machines, 3D printers, and other advanced manufacturing tools. 

This allows Rapiddirect to offer services such as CNC milling, turning, and precision sheet metal fabrication. Their streamlined processes enable them to deliver high-quality prototypes and parts within days, making them an excellent choice for clients who need rapid, high-precision production.

Starrapid

Starrapid combines advanced technology with craftsmanship to deliver high-quality precision parts. Their in-house manufacturing capabilities include CNC machining, injection molding, metal casting, and vacuum casting. Starrapid’s CNC machining services cover various materials, including aluminum, steel, and titanium, catering to different industrial needs. 

They also offer secondary processes such as anodizing, powder coating, and laser engraving, providing a one-stop solution for clients. Starrapid’s commitment to quality is underscored by its ISO 9001:2015 certification, which ensures that every part they produce meets strict quality standards.

Protolabs

Protolabs also dominates digital manufacturing, offering rapid prototyping and low-volume production services. Their in-house facilities are equipped with advanced CNC machines, 3D printers, and injection molding equipment, enabling them to handle complex geometries and tight tolerances. 

Protolabs prides itself on delivering parts in as little as one day, making them ideal for time-sensitive projects. They also provide an online quoting system with real-time DFM analysis, allowing clients to receive immediate feedback on their designs and costs. Protolabs serves a wide range of industries, ensuring high-quality and reliable manufacturing.

Platform-based Precision Manufacturer

Platform-based precision manufacturing offers a network of third-party suppliers that can provide a wide range of manufacturing services. These platforms aim to simplify the production process by aggregating various capabilities and resources, making them a convenient option for many businesses. 

Here are some prominent platform-based precision manufacturers:

Xometry

Xometry is one of the leading platform-based precision manufacturers, offering a vast network of over 5,000 manufacturing partners. Their services include CNC machining, 3D printing, injection molding, and sheet metal fabrication. Xometry’s platform uses AI-driven algorithms to match client projects with the best-suited manufacturing partners, ensuring efficient and cost-effective production. 

In-house manufacturing often provides better control over production processes, leading to higher quality and precision. Partnering with an experienced injection molding company can ensure that your manufacturing needs are met with tailored solutions that align with your specific requirements, resulting in more consistent and reliable outcomes compared to platform-based alternatives. This approach ultimately supports long-term efficiency and product excellence.

They offer instant quoting and DFM feedback, allowing clients to iterate on their designs quickly. In addition, Xometry’s global network enables it to serve various industries, including aerospace, automotive, medical devices, and consumer products. For clients looking for a broad range of capabilities and quick turnarounds, Xometry provides a highly flexible solution.

Fictiv

Fictiv is another major player in the platform-based manufacturing space, known for its extensive network of vetted manufacturing partners. They offer services such as CNC machining, 3D printing, urethane casting, and injection molding. Their platform emphasizes speed and reliability, providing instant quotes and automated DFM analysis to help clients optimize their designs. 

Fictiv’s digital manufacturing ecosystem is designed to streamline production, reducing lead times and costs. They focus on quality assurance through rigorous partner vetting and ongoing performance monitoring. Hence, Fictiv’s approach is particularly beneficial for companies needing rapid prototyping and short production runs with high precision.

Hubs

Hubs (formerly 3D Hubs) connects clients with a network of manufacturing partners offering CNC machining, 3D printing, injection molding, and sheet metal fabrication. Their platform provides instant quoting, DFM feedback, and various material options to cater to multiple project requirements. 

Hubs’ global network ensures clients can access diverse manufacturing capabilities and receive parts quickly, regardless of location. Hubs serves various industries, offering a flexible and scalable solution for precision manufacturing needs.

Shapeways

Shapeways specializes in 3D printing and has expanded its services to include CNC machining and injection molding. Their platform connects clients with a network of manufacturing partners capable of producing high-quality parts with a quick turnaround. 

Shapeways offers an easy-to-use online interface for uploading designs, receiving instant quotes, and placing orders. Further, they provide several material options and finishes, catering to prototyping and production needs. Shapeways’ focus on digital manufacturing and customer service makes them a reliable choice for clients looking to bring their designs to life quickly.

Here’s a table comparing the general characteristics of in-house precision manufacturers versus platform-based precision manufacturers:

Criteria	In-House Precision Manufacturers	Platform-Based Precision Manufacturers
Investment in Machines	In-house precision manufacturers invest heavily in advanced CNC machines and other equipment. This direct control over machinery ensures high performance and precision.	Platform-based manufacturers provide access to a wide range of advanced machines through their extensive network of partners, eliminating the need for direct capital investment.
Lead Time	Controlled and reliable turnaround times are a hallmark of in-house manufacturing. Companies can effectively manage and schedule production to meet tight deadlines.	Platform-based services typically offer quick turnarounds due to streamlined processes and often provide instant quoting, which helps in rapid decision-making.
Communication	Direct and seamless communication within the company ensures faster decision-making and cohesive project management, reducing the risk of miscommunication.	Integrated tools and digital platforms streamline communication in platform-based services, but multiple communication layers can still introduce delays and complexities.
Quality Control	In-house manufacturers maintain stringent quality control with in-house inspections and direct oversight, ensuring that all products meet high standards consistently.	Platform-based manufacturers manage quality assurance through vetted partner networks, which maintain certain quality standards but might vary across different partners.
Maintenance	In-house manufacturers have direct control over equipment maintenance, ensuring consistent performance and high standards of operation by regularly servicing and upgrading their machinery.	Maintenance responsibility in platform-based manufacturing lies with the network partners, which can lead to varying levels of upkeep and performance depending on the partner.
Flexibility	In-house production offers key advantages, including high flexibility and control. Companies can quickly adjust production schedules, implement changes, and respond to market demands.	Platform-based services offer flexibility through a broad range of capabilities and scalable solutions, making them adaptable to varying project requirements and sizes.

Conclusion

In-house precision manufacturing surpasses platform-based services, offering unparalleled control, consistency, and flexibility. This approach ensures direct oversight, seamless communication, and stringent quality control, making it ideal for industries requiring high precision.

In contrast, platform-based precision manufacturing provides access to advanced technologies and quick turnaround times through a vast network of suppliers. Even so, the multiple communication layers involved in this approach sometimes introduce challenges such as production delays and quality issues.

Zintilon is a superior choice for companies that value high standards and direct control over their production processes. Moreover, we boast advanced machinery, rigorous quality control measures, and extensive global reach, guaranteeing precision and reliability in every project. Contact us today to discuss your manufacturing needs and experience the benefits of top-tier in-house precision manufacturing.