Manufacturing in Taiwan. Notes on factories, systems, and supply chains.
How I think about manufacturing
Problems rarely stay in the process where they start.
A casting issue can show up later in finishing. Surface prep can decide whether coating works. Inspection is often where trust is either protected or lost.
I use this page to map the production layers I’m focused on: materials, forming, machining, finishing, inspection, assembly, and logistics.
My focus is the handoff between those layers — where risk appears, where specialists matter, and where control needs to stay close.
| Layer | Examples | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Material | Aluminum, zinc, steel, stainless steel, plastics, copper alloys, recycled vs. virgin inputs | Strength, weight, cost, corrosion resistance, thermal behavior, surface compatibility |
| Forming | Die casting, gravity casting, investment casting, stamping, injection molding | Shape, tooling cost, production volume, porosity risk, shrinkage, repeatability |
| Machining | CNC, drilling, tapping, honing, datum features, tight-tolerance surfaces | Precision, fit, threads, sealing areas, bore finish, assembly alignment |
| Surface prep | Trimming, deburring, tumbling, bead blasting, cleaning | Burr control, adhesion, appearance, coating consistency, paint/anodizing readiness |
| Finishing | Painting, powder coating, anodizing, nickel plating, passivation, masking | Durability, color, corrosion resistance, coating thickness, conductivity, wear resistance, feel, customer perception |
| Inspection / testing | X-ray, CMM, dimensional checks, leakage testing, MEK rub test, salt spray testing, material certs | Hidden defects, tolerance control, coating adhesion/cure, corrosion resistance, documentation, customer trust |
| Assembly / logistics | Component assembly, packaging, staging, shipping, production coordination | Delivery reliability, handling damage, supplier handoffs, field performance |