Insights from the team at P.D. Peterka & Associates
Simple Essentials: The Importance of Gaskets
Most manufacturers are familiar with gaskets, because they keep machinery running smoothly by preventing leaks of essential and often noxious or volatile substances. However, gaskets have even broader applications in just about every area of life that everyday folks...
Manual Milling Applications in a Tech-Dependent World
We’ve written in the past about the importance of maintaining manual milling skills in our own workshop. It helps P.D. Peterka take on delicate repair jobs, as well as small order runs that can clog up the works when put through our CNC machines. However, we also...
Specialization in Lean Manufacturing
The beauty of lean manufacturing is the ability to cost-effectively focus on your favorite forms of fabrication, while outsourcing jobs you’d rather not take on in-house to trusted partners instead of turning away that extra business. Whether your area of expertise...
Almost Anything Can Be Made With CNC Machining
At PD Peterka, we talk a lot about the kinds of CNC machining projects we’ve worked on in the past and the ease of working with a CNC machine shop as an outsource manufacturer. However, not all of our readers know what kinds of products and prototypes are even...
Made in America: Manufacturing & Machining
Since the 1990s, outsourcing manufacturing & machining to other countries has become quite normal, with many Americans simply accepting it. However, the idea of “made in America” has gained a lot of momentum in recent years, with people pushing for manufacturing...
The Benefits of Going Old School with Manual Machining
If you ask an experienced machinist which kind of machining technology is better, manual or CNC machines, most will respond with, “It’s not about which is better, it depends on the job”. CNC machines can complete large orders of machined parts quickly and accurately...
Close the Skills Gap with Outsource Manufacturing
Close the Skills Gap with Outsource Manufacturing U.S. Manufacturing is well-aware by now of the widening skills gap of capable tradesmen and skilled workers. Like other areas of manufacturing such as medtech, automation, oil and gas, and technology, machining is in...
Back to School: Training Programs vs. Apprenticeships
These days, the myriad educational opportunities available to people looking for better career opportunities can be overwhelming. With the often expensive price tag attached to higher education through four year colleges and trade schools, personal development and...
Time Is Money: Reliability in Railway Machine Parts
PD Peterka has maintained a stellar relationship with a rail company manufacturing a large percentage of all railway tie replacement machinery since 2009. However, at one point in that relationship, a competitor offered to do the same work at a lower price, and the...
Manufacturing Apprenticeships: The Answer to Costly Higher Ed
The Cost of Tech School Thinking about going back to school to improve your manufacturing credentials, or changing careers to something more hands on and creative? What about manufacturing apprenticeships? For many, tech school has provided the opportunity to meet the...
Outsource Manufacturing Keeps the Mining Industry Digging
The mining industry involves heavy, durable machinery that can withstand extreme force over and over when digging through layers of bedrock. However, unless we start carving machined parts out of Captain America’s shield, they’re going to wear down at some point....
Outsource Manufacturing: Moving 2 Million People a Day
Outsourcing your parts machining to another manufacturer can seem like a serious leap of faith at first, especially when you’re used to controlling the product from start to finish. However, letting fear curtail innovation and the push to build a leaner, more...
Introducing Our New CNC Turning Center: Hyundai-WIA L2100SY
CNC Turning Center: Hyundai-WIA L2100SY. Improving efficiency offerings. The mission at PD Peterka is to make outsourcing the comfortable choice for you. In order to do this, keeping up to date with the most innovative technology and CNC Turning center machines is...
Stress Free Project Management
Multitasking doesn’t always come natural to everyone. For tips on stress free project management just in time for the holidays, read our latest blog.
Outsource Manufacturing: Leaner, Better, Faster, Stronger
Why Try Outsource Manufacturing?
With changing markets and business models, some manufactures are becoming leaner, more efficient, and more focused in how they operate. This means that how they service customers inevitably shifts as well. Read more…
PD Makes Your Machine Part Repair Their Priority
As a local and understanding fellow manufacturer, PD Peterka makes your machine part repair a priority. Read how.
Process of Creating a Gasket: 3 Questions to Get Started
Gaskets are some of the most important parts of any machine. Though they’re small and simple components, these seals ensure that gases and liquids don’t seep out of a sealed connection or space, which can lead to various safety hazards or equipment malfunctions…
Reaching Optimum Machinability When Machining Steel Depends on Composition
Machining steel can be a tricky process when fabricating precision parts. Steel and other metals originate from the Earth, and therefore have varying levels of mineral composition…
Live Turning and Milling
The live turning and milling machines have enhanced the process of manufacturing. Live turning and milling machines allow for multiple processes to occur in just one set up in that machine, without setting up individual turning and milling machines for each process.
Why do Companies Outsource Manufacturing?
Outsourcing is a term that is being heard more and more throughout the business sector. The reason for this is because people are asking themselves the simple question, Why do something yourself when it can easily be done by someone else?