The design and engineering that goes into your custom metal products is equally as important as the manufacturing technology used to produce them.
While S&W is not a design or engineering firm, we offer our customers a collaborative partnership which integrates design for manufacturing – in other words, we can help optimize your products for high-quality, efficient, and cost-effective production.
Going beyond basic contract manufacturing services, S&W serves as an ongoing partner to your project, actively participating every step of the way to eliminate waste and ensure design compatibility – with our fabrication technologies as well as with your end product requirements in cost, quality, and performance.
Design for Manufacturing (DFM) at S&W Metal Products:
- Optimizing Tolerances – Relaxed or easier-to-achieve tolerances where possible can substantially reduce your production costs, cycle time, and scrap rate.
- Simplifying Design – Likewise, making product designs less complex where possible minimizes costs and quality issues.
- Alignment with Our Manufacturing Processes – We can also help you optimize product design elements in accordance with S&W’s specific manufacturing technologies. That inevitably facilitates smoother, more efficient production to follow.
How Design for Manufacturing (DFM) Benefits Your Project
Essentially, DFM involves designing your custom parts with our manufacturing processes in mind from the start. We aim to minimize part complexity where possible, thus minimizing production time and the potential for errors. That alone can lower your production costs, while also preventing the need for costly design modifications down the line.
However, achieving effective DFM is not a one-size-fits-all affair. Each project brings its own set of challenges: some require difficult-to-machine materials, challenging product specifications and exceptional tolerances, while other challenges may relate to production volume and regulatory requirements. Backed by more than 75 years of manufacturing experience, S&W knows how to approach successful collaboration according to the unique needs of your products – from design assistance to final delivery.
Quality American Manufacturing and Design Collaboration Since 1946
At S&W Metal Products, we approach every DFM aspect as an additional opportunity for collaboration. Whether you bring us a basic drawing, a complete 3D CAD model, or a legacy part in need of reengineering, our team works hand-in-hand with yours to evaluate design intent and potentially propose modifications. Our goal is to help you improve the manufacturability of your products while never sacrificing quality or performance.