Insights On How To Refine Product Design To Make The Most Of Metal Fabrication
If you are looking to have metal products manufactured, whether components, final products and so on, the key to a successful project is getting the design right. If you do not put careful consideration into the design, you will end up wasting materials and this will automatically inflate the costs. Moreover, poorly designed products typically translate into more labour as the metal fabricator will spend more time on your items and this translates into increased expenses. The good news is that optimising how your product looks does not have to sacrifice functionality. Not to mention that this does not have to be a complex process. This article provides insights on how to refine product design to make the most of metal fabrication.
Include comprehensive details in your RFQ
When sending out your quote request, do not be succinct. Some people may think that giving a generalised overview of the product will help with getting an affordable quote but the reality is that the metal fabricators will modify this quote when they realise how many details need to go into the fabrication of your product. Yoru best option is to include all pertinent information such as technical specifications, mechanical specifications, prototype drawings, engineering drawings, the deadline for the project and so on. This helps your metal fabricator understand the scope of the work required. Additionally, they will advise you on what elements can be left out to optimise both form and function of the product.
Select the right metal supplies
When choosing the right metal for your fabricate products, you can easily become overwhelmed by the sheer magnitude of options that are available to you. Some people may lean toward visually pleasing supplies, such as bronze or titanium, without deliberating on how these supplies will affect the overall cost. Rather than choosing metals solely on their aesthetic value, you should consult with the metal fabricator regarding how practical different metals are in relation to the function of the product. In addition to this, you should also factor in considerations such as the workability of the metal, the finishes available and so on.
Engage in testing before mass production
Once you are happy with the final prototype design, you and your chosen metal fabricator should begin testing it before you go ahead and have it mass priced. A newbie mistake to avoid is to go ahead and have your products fabricated without making sure that they are functional when it is placed in the various applications they are designed for. If the prototypes translate in real-life scenarios, you can go ahead and have them mass-produced. Conversely, if they do not function as they are meant to, you and your fabricator can go back to the drawing board and determine what modifications would optimise the function of the product.
For additional tips, reach out to a local metal fabricator.
