Steel Fabrication: Four Important Tips for High-Volume Production

If you are thinking about fabricating large volumes of custom metal parts, you should plan for the undertaking with care. Poor preparation for the work could lead to delays in the acquisition of required goods. Moreover, if the planning is inadequate, the produced goods might be of poor quality. Here are some guidelines to keep in mind for high-volume steel fabrication.

Choose a Reliable Fabricator

The success of your project will depend on the steel fabricator. Therefore, you should choose a qualified specialist in the field. When looking for a manufacturer, focus on companies that can meet your production needs within the desired timeline. You can inquire about the maximum production capacity and turnaround time for a clear understanding of the capabilities. Also, evaluate the quality of their fabrication before signing a contract. You can reach out to past and current clients for a clear picture or even assess some of their products.

Consider Minimalist Design

A complex design is a limiting factor during high-volume steel fabrication. In simple terms, an intricate part will require special equipment, exceptional skills and plenty of time for production. Therefore, where possible, you should try to edit your complicated design and create a minimalist product. Eliminate unnecessary and aesthetic features which add no value to the core functionality of the product. Consult your fabricator for guidance when looking for superfluous elements that can be eliminated without compromising the desired custom part.

Provide Complete Information

Significant delays can occur during high-volume fabrication of custom steel parts due to incomplete information. If the details provided to the manufacturer do not answer all the questions about the project, the work might be postponed. You can avoid this problem by inquiring about the required information and discussing any concerns before commissioning production. For example, your custom design drawings should be shop-ready before submission. Simply speaking, they should meet the fabricator's standards in terms of profiles, engineering details and technical specifications. You should also include general information about the use of the ordered custom part.

Test a Prototype First

Finally, consider getting a prototype of your design before the high-volume production. This precaution can prevent major losses for your company. Keep in mind that a design might look perfect on paper, but some oversights could interfere with function. If you get a prototype, you can examine, test, and, if necessary, edit the design. If you do not have a prototype first, you could spend money on a high volume of faulty steel products. 

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