Build or buy? Manufacturing engineers must answer that question with every automation project. Sometimes, the best solution to an assembly challenge is simply unavailable, and there's no other choice but to make a part or build a subsystem in-house. At other times, however, engineers can significantly reduce the cost of an assembly system by using off-the-shelf technology.
David Shealey knows the build-or-buy dilemma well. Shealey is director of internal production machine development at Autosplice Inc. (San Diego), which makes electrical connectors and the machines to install them. Shealey decided to outsource various machine components to Misumi of the Americas Inc. (Schaumburg, IL). He estimates that the move has saved Autosplice 25 percent to 70 percent on the cost of machine components, compared with making the parts in-house or having them made at a local machine shop.