What Are Secondary Manufacturing Processes?

Secondary manufacturing processes are those processes that are done after the initial manufacturing processes—like injection molding, CNC machining production, and so on. As the name suggests, these processes are used to refine the workpiece in some manner.

It is important to remember the secondary processes are not the same as finishing processes. These two terms are sometimes interchanged, so it is easy to get confused by what they mean. To clarify, finishing processes are things like polishing, packaging, labeling, and final inspections before shipping the workpiece off to customers.

There are many different types of secondary processes that can be used with workpieces, depending on your specific needs and requirements.

Ultrasonic Welding

Ultrasonic welding is when high-frequency welds are made to weld joints together where glues, screws, or other such things are not desired or cannot be used. The welding machine uses high-frequency vibrations to cause the metal parts to join together.

Spin Welding

Spin welding is another type of welding process that is used when working with plastic workpieces. The parts that need to be welded together are loaded into a special machine. One piece remains stationary while the other spins. The friction created heats the parts up just enough to cause the plastic to soften and the parts to join together. Once the plastic cools, it becomes a strong “welded” joint.

Casting and Molding

This process is used to make complex workpieces where they can have multiple layers like a rubber exterior, solid plastic interior, and so on. This method is also used when standard machining methods are impractical or too costly.

Forming

This secondary process takes the existing workpiece and transforms it into the desired shape or design. Rather than adding or removing material, forces are applied to bend, stretch, and shape the workpiece.

Separating

This process is when workpieces have material removed from them so they can be separated. Separating is also used to describe processes where drill presses, lathes, and milling machines are used to remove material—like to drill or tap-out a hole.

Conditioning

The internal structure of the workpiece is altered in some manner using mechanical forces, heat, chemicals, or a combination thereof, to shape the workpiece.

Assembling

Assembling is putting workpieces together using various methods and materials, such as fasteners or bonding procedures. The bonds can be temporary or permanent.

How Can Secondary Manufacturing Processes Benefit Me?

By including secondary processes as part of your workpiece production processes, it will save you time later, especially when outsourcing workpiece production. What you receive is a finished workpiece that has undergone initial and secondary processes. You could even include finishing processes if you want to save even more time.

Another benefit of secondary processes is it saves money. For instance, you outsource the initial production of the workpiece, and then it is shipped to your business. Now, you must pay your employees to complete secondary processes when their time could be spent doing other things like enhancing existing product lines or developing new products.

There are other benefits as well, such as maintaining quality and consistency. For further information about secondary manufacturing processes, finishing processes, and other manufacturing processes, please feel free to contact Laszeray Technology, LLC at 440-582-8430 today!