Job Shop vs. High-Volume Production Machining: What’s the Difference?

When you need to source precision CNC machined parts, you’re probably weighing the merits of going with a job shop vs. a high-volume production machining facility. Both have CNC machining services, but their capabilities, processes, and ideal project types differ.

Fortunately, at M2M Machining, we specialize in both. We’re uniquely positioned to help you choose the right path: job shop or production machining for your next project. Let’s break down the two options and where each approach excels. 

Job Shops: Built for Flexibility and Precision

Job shops are the ideal solution for machining low-volume, highly customized parts. Whether you need to run a one-off or a prototype, a job shop can give you the customization and detail you need.

At M2M, we use our job shop for those complex components that must be machined to spec. Our team of skilled machinists uses multi-axis CNC machines, turning centers, and manual tools to ensure that each unique, precision part is exactly as expected. 

When Do You Need a Job Shop:

• Small runs and one-off components
• Flexibility required for setup
• Changeovers are needed
• High-precision components
• Customized components
• During collaboration with engineers 
• During R&D, prototyping, and legacy part production. 

Production Machining: High-Volume, High-Efficiency Manufacturing

Once your component is perfected, or if you need a large run of a component, you’re ready to go with production machining. Production CNC machining is all about getting the volume, repeatability, and efficiency you need for producing parts. 

At M2M, we manufacture many of our long-term contracts in our production facility. Often these projects require cast iron castings provided by our customers (tier 2) or by M2M (tier 1). We use dedicated machining cells (2-4 CNC machines per cell) to guarantee consistent quality and performance, even with high throughput part machining. 

Production machined components are typically tier 1 or 2 supply chain parts. These are often the ideal solutions for automotive, heavy equipment, and industrial manufacturing industries. With a tier 1 supplier agreement, M2M can improve supply chain efficiency by directly managing the raw material supply. This process streamlines OEM inventory management and reduces cycle time for our customers.

When You Need Production Machining:

• For high-volume component production
• When repeatable processes are required
• For many cast iron and aluminum components
• When you need continuous throughput
• Long-term, fixed contract projects

Quality Control Across the Board

If you’re looking at job shop vs. production machining, one thing is mandatory—superior quality. 

CNC (computer numerical control) machines are highly precise. They follow computer-coded instructions, typically programmed in G-code, to ensure exacting cuts and shapes. CNC machines will drill, turn, or grind materials like metal, plastic, or wood for the parts and components needed for your job.

Even in high-volume production, quality is essential. Whether you’re turning out 10 components or 10,000, you need to know that each one will be exactly as expected. CNC machining verifies that the parts are made to exact specifications from the first to the last. 

At M2M, we govern our production machining process with customer-defined inspection standards. Often, this is done through the PPAP or Production Part Approval Process. Typically, this means we 100% inspect every first part machined and perform in-process checks on key dimensional features throughout the production run.

We also maintain a dedicated quality lab with advanced metrology tools available to scrutinize different components—guaranteeing that every part we create meets the customer’s specs and requirements. This level of attention to detail allows us to deliver consistent, reliable parts to all our customers, no matter the scale. 

So Which Do You Need—Job Shop vs Production Machining?

Trying to choose the right answer for your next project? The best course of action is to contact us and discuss the best path for your components. The basic guidelines are as follows:

Job Shop

• One-off components and parts
• Prototypes
• Low volume
• Custom Runs
• Frequent design changes

The job shop is ideal for milling and turning a variety of materials from titanium and steel alloys to plastics. We can turn, mill, perform 5-axis, and even horizontal milling. A typical run consists of 5 to 500 pieces, but we can scale up or down to meet your needs. 

Production Machining

• Large orders of a single part 
• Contract manufacturing projects
• Cast iron components
• High level of repeatability 

In our 40,000-square-foot cellular production facility, we mill and turn a vast selection of components. From iron castings to steel forgings, we offer vertical and horizontal milling on production runs from 100 pieces up. We also have the capacity to be a tier 1 supplier. 

Some component machining shops specialize in one or the other—job shop vs. production machining. At M2M, we do an excellent job with both approaches, so we can scale to meet your needs.

Whether your next project requires a single, complex, custom part or thousands of consistent components, we have the equipment, personnel, and processes to ensure the job and outcome are exactly as expected. 

We work right here in the United States at our state-of-the-art facility in Mukwonago, Wisconsin. That means fast lead times and access when you need it. 

If you need assistance or want to figure out the job shop vs. production machining question for your next project, our team is here to help. We’ll guide you toward the most cost-effective, quality-focused solution for flexibility, volume, or both.