Get precision parts built for high-stakes industries—fast. At Hartmann’s, our defense precision machining capabilities are built around tight tolerances, strict compliance, and total reliability. We deliver custom metal and plastic precision machined components that meet the highest standards. ISO 9001:2015. AS9100D. ITAR registered. Get a quote in 72 hours.
Looking for Defense Precision Machining Services?
Whether you’re sourcing critical components for military vehicles or any other defense application, the stakes are too high to rely on assumptions. Defense precision machining it’s about meeting strict quality standards, maintaining full traceability, and protecting controlled technical data. Unlike commercial work, defense contracts involve long-term programs, security restrictions, and rigorous compliance requirements.
Suppliers must have systems in place to manage configuration control, documentation history, and revision tracking across multiple builds and years. Asking the right questions early on helps identify shops with the right precision machining capabilities, certifications, and experience to consistently deliver high-quality, compliant parts under pressure.
1. Is Your Shop Set Up for Defense Compliance?
For suppliers in the defense industry, ITAR-compliance (International Traffic in Arms Regulations) is a requirement. If your supplier isn’t ITAR registered, you could be looking at severe delays, compliance violations, or worse.
Why it matters:
- ITAR ensures that military components and technical data stay within authorized hands.
- A compliant supplier helps prevent legal risks and project disruptions.
Ask:
- Are you registered with the DDTC?
- How do you secure sensitive data?
- Are your staff regularly trained on ITAR?
A qualified supplier should have systems in place to prove compliance. When you’re dealing with military components and critical parts, this is non-negotiable.
2. What Quality Certifications Do You Hold?
High precision and high quality are requirements. Certified processes reduce fluctuations, improve consistency, and help you avoid rework.
What to look for:
- AS9100D Certification
- ISO 9001:2015 Certification
- Documented processes for inspection, deviation handling, and corrective actions
If your supplier can’t provide proof of certified processes and internal audits, you risk running into quality control issues later in production.
Looking for Defense Precision Machining Services?
3. What materials do you work with and what tolerances can you hold?
Precision-machined parts for the defense industry often involve exotic metals and complex geometries. Your supplier, therefore, demonstrates advanced precision-machining capabilities and experience with difficult materials.
Ask your supplier:
- What materials are you qualified to machine? (Look for titanium, Inconel, stainless steel, and nickel alloys)
- What tolerances do you hold? (Look for 0.0002” or better)
- What secondary processes do you manage in-house? (Heat treating, anodization, lapping, etc.)
This level of capability helps confirm whether the supplier can take your part from blueprint to shipment without delays or outsourcing risks.
4. How Do You Communicate During the Job?
Defense precision-machining projects often evolve during production. That means your supplier must have a system for providing clear and prompt updates.
Look for:
- A designated point of contact for updates and issue resolution
- Digital job tracking and paperless documentation
- Quick turnaround on RFQs and design questions
Effective suppliers act as partners, not vendors. Strong communication is a core tool in delivering high-precision, on-spec precision-machined parts on time.
5. How Do You Handle Prototyping, Low Volumes, and Engineering Changes?
Not every defense project is high-volume or fully defined from the start. In many cases, the first parts require tight collaboration, quick pivots, and on-the-fly adjustments. The ability to adapt is a significant advantage.
Ask:
- Do you support high-mix, low-volume production?
- Do you handle prototype runs and incorporate design feedback?
- Do you have the capability to reverse-engineer parts based on a physical sample alone?
A supplier who can handle uncertainty and still meet deadlines reduces the risk of stalled production or expensive rework.