The design of a product is one of the most critical aspects of its manufacture. While it is important to consider the aesthetics and functionality of a product, it is also essential to consider how it will be produced. This is where design for manufacturability comes in.
Design for manufacturability is about designing a product with an understanding of the manufacturing processes and capabilities. It involves considering factors such as the type of materials used, production volume, tolerances, tooling requirements, and cost to ensure that it can be produced efficiently. It also allows designers to optimize product design, leading to cost savings, better quality control, and faster production times.
When it comes to manufacturing metal components, there are a variety of different processes that can be used. However, not all methods are equal in terms of efficiency and cost-effectiveness. It is essential to carefully consider the options and select the best process for each component.
For example, casting is a popular manufacturing method, but there are several different types of casting, each with its advantages and disadvantages. The same applies to forging, stamping, powder metal, and injection molding. By evaluating the different options, manufacturers can ensure they use the most efficient process for each component.
A Holistic Approach
Design for manufacturability considers all aspects of production, from materials selection to assembly methods. By taking a holistic approach to design, manufacturers can ensure that their products are fit for purpose and easy and cost-effective to produce.
Designing stage is crucial for the success of any custom-manufactured metal product. It helps reduce costs and avoid quality issues while taking full advantage of the capabilities of the manufacturing process. To select the most efficient manufacturing process, designers must consider various factors, including geometry, weight, projected annual usage, etc.
By consulting with experts in metal processing technologies, designers can get unbiased and accurate information on the different manufacturing options available, helping them choose the most suitable process for each component.
When Designing for Manufacturability is Practiced
Involving potential suppliers as early as possible allows designers to integrate their feedback into the product design and make changes that reduce cost or improve the quality and performance of the product. This is much easier to do before finalizing the design, as changes made at later stages may affect other product components.
Prevalent practice
The prevalent practice in many industries is to finish designing all components that make the product before contacting potential suppliers. This can be problematic, as it can be much harder to implement input from suppliers at this stage that could reduce costs or improve quality and performance.
This is because changes that need to be made may affect mating parts that have already been fully designed. As a result, it is often advisable to involve potential suppliers early in the design process to get the best possible outcome for the product.
Maximize the quality and reduce cost by Designing for Manufacturability
Manufacturers can create cost-effective, high-quality products by consulting with experts and involving potential suppliers early in the design process.
Designing for manufacturability, companies can ensure the success of their custom-manufactured metal products and get the best value out of their manufacturing process.
Manufacturers may boost quality, reduce costs, and shorten lead times by applying design for manufacturability concepts to both new and existing products.
Manufacturer’s Representatives are independent salespeople doing business development for multiple companies. They are the cost-effective alternative to hiring factory paid sales force. Manufacturer’s Representatives have expertise in their specialty of products or services and generally operate in geographically defined territories. They represent multiple companies that are complementary and synergistic but not competing.
Chaparral Technologies, Inc. is a Manufacturer’s Representative Agency specializing in made to drawings and specifications, custom made, metal components, assemblies, and products. The sales team at Chaparral is composed of Metallurgical, Mechanical, and Industrial Engineer professionals with about 80 years of combined experience in metal component manufacturing technologies, and processes. Chaparral represents highly qualified manufacturers, covering a wide range of metal processing technologies, that are dedicated to serve our customers. Chaparral has been in operation in the Southwestern United States for over 54 years, developing deep knowledge of products and needs of the Original Equipment Manufacturers in the region.
Value of a Manufacturer’s Representative for a buyer:
A professional Manufacturer’s Representative offers the customer multiple solutions for their applications. Thus, the buyer spends far less time working with a Manufacturer’s Representative than with multiple direct salespeople who are tasked to promote just once option for the application. The Rep essentially acts as a consultant offering accurate information about each manufacturing option and is motivated to allow the buyer to choose the most efficient manufacturing process for their application.
Once the optimal manufacturing process is selected, the Reps act as the buyers advocate with the manufacturer they represent and facilitate design for manufacturability efforts to eliminate cost drivers and future quality issues with the product. Being focused on a much smaller geographical territory, the Reps are able to serve the customer through the life cycle of the product and able to offer continuous improvement ideas.
Value of a Manufacturer’s Representative for a seller:
Manufacturer’s Representatives have a well-established credibility in the markets they serve through past successes on selling complementary products or services. This allows a seller an opportunity for faster market penetration than starting from scratch with a direct sales force. A professional Representative has established customer and prospect base that take years to build.
The cost of hiring a Manufacturer’s Representative is fixed and only payable on a successful sale. Therefore, selling through independent Manufacturer’s Representative is much more cost effective than a direct sales force. There are little or no upfront cost like salaries, benefits, and expenses to pioneer a new region from scratch.
In today’s business environment, customer knowledge and value identification from customer standpoint is the greatest asset that a Manufacturer’s Representative brings to the table. They provide insight into customers problems, applications, and needs to allow the seller to make an intelligent proposal which gives them the best chance of getting the business. This knowledge requires the investment of lots of time that is hard for a direct salesforce to allocate to a very large prospect pool.
Why Chaparral Technologies, Inc.
The entire team is made up of graduate engineers.
Expertise in application engineering, design for manufacturability, value engineering, and continuous improvements.
Successfully operating for over 54 years in Texas, Oklahoma, Louisiana, Arkansas, and Kansas.
Hands on coverage of the territory utilizing a team of 4 Certified Professional Manufacture’s Representatives.
Long standing performance-based relationships with both the Customers and Principals.
Proven record of leveraging full assets of the Principals to complement the core competencies of the Customer.
