After more than 3-years of contraction and one of the longest slumps in the metalworking industry, things are looking up. Personally, I have felt the energy in the market building over the last few months, and now the January numbers are in and it’s official. The metalworking index is in growth mode at 53%. Now what?

As the market turns on and heats up the focus of many shops will soon turn from DIY to Get-it-Done. The goal being to get jobs out the door so you can bill it and get paid. Backlogs are not your friend. They may provide a false sense of security, but in the end, it is efficiency that wins the day.

Based on machine tool sales data it is evident that a lot of OEMs and tiered suppliers are still sitting on the sidelines waiting for market confidence to improve and stabilize further before investing in equipment. This same lack of confidence has driven many machine tool builders to reduce inventory exposure by cutting back on production. As demand increases, builders will find themselves in a backlog situation themselves with ever-increasing delays in delivery from months to more than a year.  In the meantime, your customer wants their parts - now.

Now is the time for deliberate planning and a hard look at options that can materially increase efficiency and overall throughput. As demand returns, the challenge many shops will face is not a lack of work, but the ability to execute quickly, consistently, and profitably. The reality of doing more with less over the coming months and years is unavoidable, driven by skilled labor shortages, rising costs, and increasing customer expectations around lead times and quality.

For many manufacturers, this naturally leads to evaluating automation strategies. Five-axis machining solutions are often one of the first considerations, as they consolidate multiple operations into a single setup, reduce handling, improve part accuracy, and free up labor for higher-value tasks. In many cases, five-axis machining is not just a productivity upgrade, it is a practical form of automation that delivers immediate gains without the complexity of fully automated cells.

Beyond the machine tool itself, pallet pools, pallet changers, and robotic or cobot-assisted tending solutions can significantly extend spindle utilization, particularly during unattended or lights-out operation.

Another solution to consider is to evaluate and reassign existing machine assets. Capable machines are often underutilized, tied up in low-value or non-critical operations such as material prep simply because “that’s how it’s always been done.” Reassigning these machines to higher-value work, while offloading secondary processes, can unlock hidden capacity.

This is also an ideal moment to revisit value stream mapping with fresh eyes. As volumes increase, inefficiencies that were tolerable during slower periods quickly become bottlenecks. Material flow deserves particular attention. Material sourcing and preparation (sizing, squaring, flattening, deburring, and cleaning) can represent 50% or more of total job time and are frequently the root cause of production interruptions and extended cycle times. Addressing these upstream processes often delivers faster and more sustainable gains than focusing solely on cutting time at the machine.

At this point I should avoid a shameless plug for pre-machined materials, but they are proven to increase machining throughput on production jobs by 25% or more.

Taking the time to plan now, before backlogs swell and delivery windows tighten, will put you in control of the next growth cycle rather than reacting to it. The winners in the next phase of the market will not be those who simply add work, but those who execute smarter, faster, and with greater consistency.

I am happy and relieved for your business, our business, and the metalworking industry at large. It’s been a long dry spell, but the market seems to be getting sustained lift and for this I am grateful.

Good luck - let’s get to work!

Thanks for reading -

Ben

January 29,2026, Gardena, CA - TCI Precision Metals, a leading supplier of precision Machine-Ready Blanks and custom material solutions, announces the appointment of Brittany Cabrera as Sales Manager. In this role, Cabrera will lead sales initiatives, support key customer relationships, and contribute to continued growth across TCI Precision Metals’ aerospace, medical, defense, and industrial markets.

Cabrera brings more than a decade of experience in the metalworking industry, with a strong background in B2B sales, sales management, and customer engagement. Her experience includes managing sales teams, overseeing complex quoting and order processing, and working closely with customers to support technical and production requirements.

In addition to sales leadership, Cabrera offers extensive expertise in digital marketing and social media networking, content development, email marketing, SEO, and social media management. She has successfully leveraged digital platforms to strengthen brand awareness, support lead generation, and enhance customer communication.

Cabrera also brings valuable technical knowledge to the role, including familiarity with AS9100/AS9102, ISO standards, ITAR requirements, and GD&T interpretation, supporting TCI Precision Metals’ commitment to quality, compliance, and precision manufacturing.

“Brittany’s combination of metal industry experience, sales leadership, and modern digital marketing capabilities makes her a strong addition to our team,” said Ben Belzer, President and CEO of TCI Precision Metals. “Her customer-focused approach aligns well with our commitment to helping manufacturers improve efficiency, reduce lead times, and improve machining throughput by 25% or more.”

Founded in 1956, TCI Precision Metals is a family-owned precision manufacturer producing precision Machine-Ready Blanks from aluminum, stainless steel, and other alloys. With sawing, grinding, milling, and finishing operations, and the added benefit of plate and sheet distribution, TCI Precision Metals provides customers with a single-source solution for high-quality precision materials.

TCI Precision Metals serves the medical, aerospace, defense, oil & gas, semiconductors, industrial equipment, and other manufacturing industries.

Thank You.

It’s a simple phrase, but it carries a lot of weight. “Thank You” acknowledges effort, signals connection, and recognizes that whatever was accomplished, we accomplished it together.

This time of year, we say those words more often - to family, friends, coworkers, customers, vendors, and pretty much everyone we interact with. And they deserve it.

But here’s the real question: Why limit it to this season?

If you’re reading this, chances are you’re part of America’s manufacturing community—an industry that builds remarkable things, rises to tough challenges, and delivers world-class quality day after day. None of that happens alone. It happens because people show up with skill, dedication, and a willingness to work together.

So maybe this is the moment to make gratitude part of every day, not just the holidays. To acknowledge one another more freely. To strengthen the connections that make our work possible.

Because when we appreciate each other, we don’t just feel better, we do better. Together, we can accomplish more.

 

Thank you.

Ben

Top 10 Industries that Rely on CNC Machining (by Market Size)

This report ranks the top 10 industries that rely most on CNC machining, based on market size, precision requirements, and manufacturing intensity. Data reflects the latest available global industry research from 2024–2025.

Key Market Insights
• The global CNC machine tools market is estimated at around USD 95–110 billion.
• The precision machining market is projected to reach USD 193.5 billion in 2025.
• The global machining market (including CNC) is estimated at USD 402.6 billion in 2024.
• Aerospace parts manufacturing reached USD 913 billion in 2023.
• Automotive manufacturing equipment (including CNC) is projected at USD 32 billion in 2025.

Ranked Industries by Market Size and CNC Dependence
1. Aerospace & Defense
Massive global market (~US$913 billion in 2023). High reliance on CNC for precision parts such as turbine blades, airframe structures, and landing gear. Materials include titanium, Inconel, and aluminum.

2. Automotive
Global automotive production heavily depends on CNC machining for engines, transmission housings, molds, and tooling. Equipment market ~US$32 billion in 2025.

3. Electronics & Semiconductor
Precision CNC parts are used for enclosures, molds, and fixtures. The market is large due to demand for semiconductor equipment and high-tech manufacturing.

4. Medical & Dental
Rapidly growing segment. CNC machining is essential for implants, surgical tools, and prosthetics. High precision and biocompatibility requirements.

5. Industrial Equipment & Automation
Includes robotics, factory systems, and heavy machinery. CNC machining ensures precision for gears, frames, and mechanical assemblies.

6. Oil, Gas & Energy
CNC machining supports valve bodies, pumps, and turbine components. Operates in extreme conditions, requiring tight tolerances and material integrity.

7. Tool & Die / Moldmaking
Foundational CNC market segment. Used for injection molds, dies, and fixtures. High complexity and accuracy demands.

8. Consumer Products
Used for prototyping, molds, and low-volume precision parts. CNC reliance is lower relative to the overall market size.

9. Marine & Shipbuilding
Used for propeller shafts, housings, and corrosion-resistant parts. Smaller CNC share compared to automotive/aerospace.

10. Electronics Hardware & Telecommunications
CNC machining is used for enclosures, mounts, and connectors in communication and high-frequency applications.

Key Takeaways
• The largest CNC machining demand (by dollar value) is in the aerospace and automotive sectors.
• High-growth sectors include medical/dental and electronics manufacturing.
• Although the consumer and marine industries are large, CNC's share of manufacturing spend is smaller.
• CNC machining continues to expand across all advanced manufacturing sectors.

Purpose

The following process guide is designed to identify value-added and non-value-added materials steps to improve machining operations, eliminate waste, and streamline material flow for improved efficiency, cost reduction, and consistent quality.

Once steps one through eight are completed, compare your areas of improvement to the benefits of Machine-Ready Blanks (listed at the end of this guide) to determine if they are a suitable fit to improve your manufacturing process.

Many shops report increases in efficiency and overall throughput of 25% or more when using Machine-Ready Blanks.

Step 1: Define Scope and Objectives

Select the machining process or material flow to map (e.g., raw material to finished part).
Clarify objectives: reduce lead time, lower scrap, improve machine utilization, standardize workflow.

Step 2: Gather Baseline Information

Walk the process ("go to gemba").
Collect key data:
Material types and starting formats (bar, billet, casting, plate).
Process sequence (cutting, turning, milling, grinding, finishing).
Setup/changeover times.
Cycle times per operation.
Wait/queue times between steps.
Inventory levels (WIP, raw stock, finished goods).
Transport distances.

Step 3: Map Current State

Draw a process map from material receipt to finished part shipment.
Capture:
Process steps (value-added).
Inspections, rework, delays (non-value-added).
Material handoffs and movements.
Information flow (work orders, travelers, ERP updates).
Use lean symbols (manual process, machine process, inventory, transportation, delay).

Step 4: Identify Waste (The 8 Wastes in Machining)

Defects: scrap parts, rework.
Overproduction: making more than required.
Waiting: idle machines or operators.
Non-utilized talent: underuse of operator skills.
Transportation: unnecessary movement of materials.
Inventory: excess WIP or raw stock.
Motion: inefficient operator/tool movements.
Extra-processing: redundant setups, unnecessary machining passes.

Step 5: Develop Future State Map

Redesign the process to reduce or eliminate waste.
Strategies:
Cellular machining or one-piece flow where possible.
Optimize setups with SMED (Single Minute Exchange of Dies).
Standardize tooling and fixturing.
Reduce handling by integrating operations (multi-axis machining, palletization).
Apply pull scheduling (Kanban).
Place inspection at the point of machining (in-process probing).

Step 6: Create an Action Plan

List prioritized improvement opportunities.
Assign owners and deadlines.
Define metrics (cycle time reduction, scrap %, machine utilization, on-time delivery).

Step 7: Implement and Monitor

Pilot improvements on a single process or material family.
Track KPIs against baseline.
Adjust and standardize successful practices.

Step 8: Sustain and Improve

Standardize work instructions.
Train operators and supervisors.
Establish regular review cycles.
Keep visual process maps updated.
Promote a culture of continuous improvement (Kaizen).

Key Tip: Start small—map a single machining cell or material family first. Achieve a quick win, then expand lean process mapping to broader operations.

 

Lean Materials Solution: Precision Machine-Ready Blanks

Machine-Ready Blanks from TCI Precision Metals make materials processing leaner? Consider the following benefits to determine if they are a good fit for your business.

Prepping material for finish machining can account for as much as 50% of the total time on the job. Custom Machine-Ready Blanks from TCI Precision Metals eliminate material prep, shorten setup time, reduce scrap, improve quality, and increase overall machining throughput by 25% or more – all without increasing overhead.

Custom Machine-Ready Blanks are made to order and arrive ‘machine-ready.’ Typically, they are square, rectangular, or round stock milled to your custom net specifications. They can be produced as close as +/-.0005” dimensionally and as close as .002” in flatness, squareness, and parallelism. Machine-Ready Blanks eliminate the need for squaring up the material prior to finishing the part. Flatness is especially important as it reduces the tendency for part movement during the machining process.

By starting a production job with Machine-Ready Blanks, you reduce the need for specialized machines or tying up machines that are better served performing other operations. Bottlenecks created by time-consuming setup and squaring operations are avoided, resulting in even more time being saved. This increases shop capacity without adding overhead. Machine-Ready Blanks are deburred, clean, and vacuum packaged to avoid damage during shipping – ready to go directly from your receiving dock to your CNC machines.

For more information about Machine-Ready Blanks, CONTACT US

To request a quote, CLICK HERE

TCI Automation-Ready Blanks

In today’s competitive manufacturing environment, automation is a critical lever for increasing productivity and reducing costs. But automation alone doesn’t guarantee success—consistency does. At TCI Precision Metals, our materials experts work hand-in-hand with shop floor managers to develop tailored materials strategies that ensure automation runs smoothly from the start.

A successful materials strategy begins well before a part hits the machine. It starts with identifying the right material type for the job and then engineering the pre-production process to match the needs of the automated work cell. This includes essential considerations such as heat treating, part handling, gripping, clamping, and other tooling requirements. Every detail matters because every variable eliminated increases the odds of a predictable and efficient production run.

Once a plan is in place, TCI produces test materials for validation. Only after shop floor approval are full batches of Automation-Ready Blanks produced. These blanks are delivered in sync with Just-In-Time (JIT) production schedules and arrive certified to spec, flat, square, dimensionally accurate, and ready for immediate use in automated cells.

Automation-Ready Blanks from TCI help manufacturers get the most from their investments in CNC machining centers, robotic handling systems, and multi-axis automation platforms. They reduce setup time, eliminate secondary operations, and keep workflows moving without interruption. By engineering consistency into the raw materials themselves, TCI helps ensure that every part starts out right, reducing waste, improving throughput, and unlocking the full potential of automated manufacturing.

If you’re investing in automation, don’t overlook the foundation - your material supply. TCI’s Automation-Ready Blanks may be the missing link between what your shop floor is doing now, and what it is capable of achieving.

Thanks for reading
– Ben

 

The following is an overview of what AI says are the biggest issues facing manufacturers today. Do You Agree?

The biggest issues facing manufacturing today include persistent labor shortages and a widening skills gap, along with supply chain disruptions and the complexities of digital transformation and cybersecurity.

Key Challenges in Manufacturing:

TCI Precision Metals introduces custom-cut, Ready-to-Ship blanks. Customers can now order custom-sized, pre-machined materials that ship fast and arrive ready to go directly from receiving to finish machining.

“Ready-to-Ship blanks, available online from TCI Precision Metals, are pre-configured in hundreds of dimension/alloy combinations. Each blank arrives at the customer flat, square, parallel, and +/-.002" of stated dimensions. When customer dimensional requirements fall between standard available sizes, they can order the custom-cut option and get exactly what they need. This is important, especially when customers want to go directly from receiving to machining without any further prep.” said Ben Belzer, President and CEO of TCI Precision Metals.

Ready-to-ship Blanks help shops shorten setup time, reduce scrap, and increase overall throughput by up to 25% by eliminating material prep. Blanks arrive machine-ready for production and are ideal for short-run and production machining, tooling, and prototype applications.

Precision blanks eliminate the need for in-house sawing, grinding, flattening, squaring operations, and outside processing. Blanks are consistent, part-to-part, which reduces setup time. In the case of flat blanks, the production process alleviates residual stress in the material, which results in reduced part movement during finish machining. Each blank is deburred, cleaned, and individually packaged to avoid damage during shipping.

Founded in 1956, TCI Precision Metals is a family-owned manufacturer producing precision Machine-Ready Blanks from aluminum, stainless steel, and other alloys. The company also provides sawing, grinding, milling, and finishing operations for customer-supplied materials. For more information, visit www.tciprecision.com

Machine-Ready Blanks from TCI Precision Metals

Ready-to-Ship or Custom Made-to-Order

Eastec, Booth #5030

April 10, 2025, Gardena, CA - TCI Precision Metals will show customers its precision Machine-Ready Blanks capabilities at EASTEC, May 13-15, 2023, at the Eastern States Exposition, Booth #5030. Machine-Ready Blanks from TCI Precision Metals help shops shorten setup time, reduce scrap, and increase overall throughput by up to 25% by eliminating material prep. Machine-Ready Blanks are guaranteed to arrive machine-ready for production. Ready-to-ship blanks in low quantities are available online and typically ship the same or the next day. Custom made-to-order blanks can be ordered to exact specifications in production quantities with fast turnaround.

Precision blanks eliminate the need for in-house sawing, grinding, flattening, squaring operations, and outside processing. Each blank arrives deburred, clean, and individually packaged to avoid damage during shipping. Ready-to-ship blanks can be ordered online for same-day or next-day shipping, and arrive square, flat, and parallel within ± .002” of specified dimensions all around. Custom made-to-order blanks are made to customer specifications and are guaranteed as close as +/- .0005” dimensionally and as close as .0002” flatness, squareness, and parallelism. “Customers can use the time they previously spent in setup and prep for more productive use of CNC machining centers, adding to their bottom-line profitability. And with our ability to consistently produce close tolerance, flat blanks, part movement is reduced, improving overall quality,” said Ben Belzer, President of TCI Precision Metals.

TCI is offering new customers a special offer to try machine-ready blanks on their next job. Customers ordering ready-to-ship blanks online will receive 15% off their first order by entering code BLANKS in the coupon field at checkout. Customers considering made-to-order blanks in production quantities can receive a free sample blank made to their exact specifications along with their estimate. Restrictions apply; ask your TCI sales representative for more information.

Founded in 1956, TCI Precision Metals is a family-owned precision manufacturer producing precision Machine-Ready Blanks from aluminum, stainless steel, and other alloys. With the added benefit of being a plate and sheet distributor, Sawing, Grinding, Milling, and Finishing operations make TCI Precision Metals a one-stop source for quality aluminum, stainless, and other alloy blanks. TCI Precision Metals offers customers rough CNC milling and turning services when large amounts of material need to be removed or features added to solid parts.

TCI is a warehouse plate and sheet distributor for Alcoa, Kaiser, and Hulamin Aluminum, including 6061, 2024, or 7075 aluminum plate and sheet, stainless steel plate, and other alloys. TCI stocks over 500,000 lbs. of material for quick turnaround on customer requirements.

TCI serves the needs of the medical, oil & gas, aerospace, industrial equipment, defense, food packaging, semiconductor, and other industries.

TCI Precision Metals
Phone 800-234-5613
Email sales@tciprecision.com
www.tciprecision.com

A secret sauce isn’t just for cooking; it’s an essential ingredient for any process-based business, including manufacturing. Every successful shop has one, and it’s crucial to identify and maximize it as your point of difference. In today’s highly competitive manufacturing landscape, knowing what sets you apart and nurturing that advantage is key to sustained success.

Listening is the best way to uncover how your unique approach to manufacturing resonates with customers, suppliers, and employees. By asking the following questions to a diverse sampling of these groups, you can gain valuable insights:

What are our strengths and weaknesses?
What is the one thing we do better than anyone else?
What is our corporate culture/personality?
The answers to these questions define your brand identity. While brand image reflects how you want others to view your company, brand identity represents how your customers, suppliers, and employees actually perceive you. Aligning these two concepts should be a priority. Once you’re aware of your true brand identity, you can begin making course corrections to bring it closer to your desired image.

One effective way to focus on your unique strengths is by eliminating or outsourcing materials and processes that don’t directly enhance what you do best. This approach frees up resources to further develop your core competencies and sharpen your competitive edge.

An Example from TCI Precision

At TCI Precision, our secret sauce is efficiency. We prep materials for finish machining more efficiently than anyone else—and that’s all we do. For metalworking manufacturers, focusing on high-value finish machining processes might be the heart of their expertise. Tasks like squaring, flattening, and milling materials to net or near-net dimensions, while necessary, don’t add as much value as the final machining processes that determine quality and precision. By outsourcing these preparatory tasks, shops can redirect resources to their primary, high-value activities.

Benefits of Focusing on Core Competencies

Concentrating on high-value processes allows you to:

Trying to handle too many processes can dilute your focus, strain resources, and lead to subpar performance. For example, taking on material preparation without the right expertise or equipment can create inefficiencies and quality control issues, ultimately affecting your core operations.

By sticking to your strengths, your shop can remain at the forefront of technological advancements. This strategic focus ensures that resources are channeled toward relevant R&D, enabling you to adopt cutting-edge techniques and materials that further bolster your competitive advantage.

At TCI, we understand the value of focusing on what you do best. Material preparation is our secret sauce. We start with full sheets and plates and prepare them for finish machining, so you don’t have to. This allows our customers to concentrate on their high-value processes, delivering superior results with greater efficiency.

 

Thanks for reading -
Ben