Decreasing production lead time is a common and practical aim in manufacturing. While it’s impossible to eradicate all potential issues that can cause unwelcome delays in your project, a number of these situations are preventable, in which the original equipment manufacturer (OEM) has control over.
As a fabricator of custom aluminum extruded parts, Fab Masters Company, Inc. strives to maximize efficiency in the manufacturing processes of our customers. Our 30+ years of experience as a contract manufacturing partner has helped teach us areas that could often use streamlining.
Productive Design Time to Decrease Production Lead Time
The importance of proper planning cannot be overstated. Design is arguably the most critical element in the manufacturing of your part. Rather than bouncing prints back and forth between development, engineering, and the supplier, you can reduce time spent on revisions by involving an expert contract manufacturer in the design process. An experienced extruded aluminum fabricator can aid in project design support, process development, and validation of manufacturability.
Other Areas to Pursue Productivity
Providing clear prints to your contract manufacturing partner is another way you can reduce potential hiccups. Including accurate tolerances, contact information, any specified materials, and more can save time that could be wasted inquiring about these details later in the process.
Finally, reasonable estimations and a comprehensive timeline can help keep your expectations accurate. Your timeline should account for any custom extrusion die or tooling production. Solid shapes or bars need roughly a week of additional lead time. Depending on the complexity of the extrusion, it can take up to six weeks to make a custom die. Being surprised with a six-week delay can be frustrating, to say the least. Knowing what to expect can help you set practical deadlines.
Discover Six Tips to Decrease Production Lead Time
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