Connecting Engineering and Production with the Ultimate Manufacturing Tech Stack for Machine Shops, Contract Manufacturers, and OEMs

In today’s fast-paced manufacturing environment, machine shops rely on a sophisticated suite of software solutions to stay competitive.

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From quoting and order management to production scheduling and quality control, a well-integrated Manufacturing Technology Stack is essential for optimizing workflows, reducing costs, and improving efficiency.

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In this post, we’ll break down the critical software categories used in machine shops and explore how they seamlessly integrate to create a cohesive digital ecosystem.

ERP/MRP/MES - Core Business Management

Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP)

ERP systems serve as the backbone of a manufacturing business, managing core business processes such as quoting, order tracking, purchasing, shipping/receiving, invoicing, etc. A tie-in with accounting software like QuickBooks Online of Xero is critical to keep your accounting team up to date with your day-to-day operations.

Manufacturing Resource Planning (MRP) & Manufacturing Execution Systems (MES)

MRP and MES are all about creating a plan and executing against it. Inventory management, job scheduling, and purchasing planning are table stakes here.

Best-in-class systems will do this by understanding your connected Bill of Materials and Work Routings and intelligently scheduling work and purchasing just-in-time with a focus on balancing on-time delivery and maximizing shop capacity. Dedicated modules for things like Outside Processing and Quality Management can also be critical for manufacturers in higher compliance sectors.

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A good shop floor interface is also crucial for your operators to get their work instructions, drawing packages, and capture crucial data throughout the process.

CAD/CAM - Engineering & Machine Programming

Computer-Aided Design (CAD) - Engineering Design

Software Examples: SolidWorks, Fusion 360, OnShape
CAD software is fundamental for designing parts and assemblies. These tools enable engineers to create 3D models, define part specifications, and generate detailed drawings.

As a job shop or contract manufacturer, you will likely be getting STEP/DXF and drawing files from external engineers, but most manufacturers still find it crucial to have CAD for modifying those files (like creating sane drawings), making fixtures, and a multitude of other uses.

As an OEM or full-stack design/engineering firm, you’ll have your team of engineers in-house using these tools, often paired with a PDM for product lifecycle management.

Whether your engineering is in-house or now, you have an incredible opportunity to deeply connect your CAD data with the manufacturing side of your business for improved communication and ultimately efficiency. Your MRP/MES system can help here by having strong import tools to bring your Bill-of Materials, purchased components, and more over.

Computer-Aided Manufacturing (CAM) - Machine Programming

Software Examples: Autodesk Fusion, MasterCAM, SolidCAM, iMachining, OnShape CAMStudio, ToolPath

CAM software translates CAD models into CNC machine instructions.

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These tools store CNC operations, tool selections, and cutting strategies, all of which can be imported into an MRP system as part of your work routings to inform the rest of the manufacturing process. Bonus points for passing in programs, setup sheets, and work instructions during. 

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For example, an MRP system can automatically determine if the required cutting tools are in stock or need to be ordered based on the CAM-generated tool list.