Outside Operations
Resolute Precision Manufacturing coordinates outside operations heat treating, nitriding, EDM, precision grinding, and waterjet cutting through our vetted supplier network so you receive fully finished parts from a single purchase order. We manage scheduling, shipping, quality inspection, and documentation for every outside operation. Request a QuoteThe Problem with Managing Outside Operations Yourself
A precision machined part frequently requires one or more post-machining operations before it is ready for assembly. Heat treating changes the material hardness. Grinding removes dimensional distortion introduced by heat treat and achieves final surface finish. EDM produces features that conventional machining cannot. Nitriding adds a surface hardness layer without dimensional distortion.
When you manage these operations yourself, each one requires a separate purchase order, a separate shipping and receiving transaction, an incoming inspection, and a scheduling integration between your machine shop and each outside processor. A part requiring machining, heat treat, and grinding passes through three facilities with three opportunities for scheduling conflict, damage in transit, and dimensional non-conformance before reaching your dock.
Our Services
One Purchase Order
When you designate Resolute Precision as your outside operations coordinator, we take ownership of the complete process. We machine your parts, ship them to our qualified outside processors, receive them back, inspect to your drawing requirements, and ship finished parts to your dock. One PO covers the entire chain. One call resolves any issue. One invoice summarizes all work.
Specifications
| Heat Treating | Quench and temper, stress relieving, normalizing, annealing, carburizing, and through-hardening for all alloy grades |
| Nitriding | Ion nitriding and gas nitriding for surface hardening to Rc 60–72 with minimal dimensional growth |
| EDM | Wire EDM for precision contour cutting; sinker EDM for cavities, slots, and features not machinable by conventional methods |
| Precision Grinding | OD, ID, surface, and centerless grinding to final dimensions with Ra 16 or better surface finish |
| Waterjet Cutting | Abrasive waterjet cutting for plate profiling and shape cutting of all materials, including hardened steel |
| Supplier Qualification | All outside processors are approved in accordance with RPM’s ISO 9001 approved vendor procedures |
| Documentation | Heat treatment certificates, hardness reports, and grinding reports collected and delivered with finished parts |
| Certifications | ISO 9001:2015 |
When Outside Operations Are Required
The following combinations of machining and outside operations are the most common programs we manage:
- Machine — heat treat (Q&T) — grind to final OD: for hardened shafts and bearing journals
- Machine — ion nitride — finish grind: for wear-resistant surfaces on gears, cams, and tooling
- Machine — wire EDM: for thin-wall slots, precise contour cuts, and hardened material features
- Machine — carburize and case harden — shot peen: for high-cycle fatigue and wear applications
- Waterjet cut — machine — anodize: for aluminum structural components requiring profiling and coating
Frequently Asked Questions
How does RPM qualify outside suppliers?
All outside processors are evaluated against our ISO 9001 approved vendor procedure. Qualification includes capability review, quality system assessment, sample part evaluation, and ongoing performance monitoring. We re-qualify suppliers annually and after any quality escape.
What heat treating specifications can RPM coordinate?
We coordinate heat treating to AMS, ASTM, MIL, and customer-proprietary specifications. Common specifications include AMS 2759 (steel heat treat), AMS 2770 (aluminum), AMS 2753 (plasma nitride), and customer-specified hardness and case depth requirements.
Can RPM provide a single certificate of conformance covering machining and all outside operations?
Yes. We issue a certificate of conformance that covers all operations performed on your part machining, heat treating, grinding, and coating with supporting certifications from each outside processor attached.
What is the lead time impact of outside operations?
Outside operations add one to three weeks to standard machined part lead time depending on operation type, material, and current capacity at our outside processors. We schedule operations in parallel where possible to minimize total elapsed time.