Share enough to manufacture. Control what happens to the information.
Contract manufacturing often requires customers to share drawings, CAD files, specifications, samples, prototypes, process requirements, forecasts, and other technical information with suppliers and outside processors.
Manufacturing programs can involve several different types of proprietary or controlled information.
Sensitive project information can exist in both physical and digital forms.
Drawings & CAD
Models, drawings, tolerances, geometry, material specifications, notes, and revision history may contain core product information.
Prototypes & Samples
Physical parts can reveal geometry, materials, assembly methods, finishes, interfaces, or product-development direction.
Tooling
Molds, dies, fixtures, gauges, patterns, and related design data may reproduce customer-specific geometry or process knowledge.
Manufacturing Methods
Process parameters, assembly methods, test routines, fixtures, work instructions, or production techniques may contain supplier or customer knowledge.
Supply Information
Approved vendors, materials, component sources, forecasts, annual quantities, pricing, and sourcing strategies may be commercially sensitive.
Production Records
Inspection data, serial numbers, test results, revisions, corrective actions, and production history can contain controlled project information.
Information control should follow the flow of data through the supplier relationship.
Provide project information to people and organizations that need it to perform the manufacturing scope.
Old and new technical files should be clearly identified so obsolete information does not remain in active production.
Understand when customer information may be shared with outside processors, toolmakers, laboratories, or subsuppliers.
Tooling, fixtures, samples, prototypes, and supplied materials should be identifiable and controlled where appropriate.
Define expectations for returning, retaining, archiving, deleting, transferring, or destroying project materials when the relationship ends.
The primary supplier may not be the only organization that sees project information.
Contract manufacturers often rely on toolmakers, finishers, heat treaters, testing laboratories, material suppliers, freight providers, and other subsuppliers to complete production.
Supplier changes can require careful transfer of both physical assets and technical information.
Files
Confirm which drawings, models, process records, inspection programs, or other files need to move to the new production source.
Tooling
Customer-owned molds, fixtures, gauges, patterns, and associated documentation may require controlled transfer.
Production Knowledge
Setup details, validated parameters, inspection methods, lessons learned, and known process risks may be important to a successful transition.
Residual Information
Determine whether former suppliers should return, retain, archive, or dispose of project files and physical customer property.
Information control belongs inside the broader supplier-selection process.
Evaluate technical capability, operational fit, communication, quality systems, program risk, information handling, and production support together.
Manufacturing Partner Selection →