Courtesy of Precision Machined Products
Association ( PMPA )
HOW TO REDUCE COSTS & PURCHASE MORE ECONOMICALLY
| WHAT | WHAT / HOW | WHAT / WHY |
| QUANTITY | Check annual requirements and advise supplier. On re-orders, advise supplier of any changes from the original prints. | With an annual contract the supplier can minimize: tooling, setup costs and material costs. Greater flexibility for the most economical method of manufacturing is allowed. |
| OVER AND UNDER RUNS | Ordering exact quantities increases costs. | Allowance must be made for overage in production which must be prorated in the quoted price. Over/under run quantities in the Precision Machined Products Industry may vary based on bar length, part size and equipment used to produce the parts. |
| DELIVERY | Allow sufficient lead time for normal planning. Provide your supplier with the best forecast you have. | Quick deliveries involve premium material and labor costs. A longer/better forecast permits more economical manufacturing runs. |
| PACKAGING | If special packaging, labeling or bar coding is required, advise the supplier of this when the request for pricing is made. | Unusual packaging requirements are expensive due to special material and labor. If advised in advance, a supplier may be able to provide alternative, less expensive packaging. |
| MATERIAL | Design and application permitting, specify standard sizes of free machining grades. | Standard sizes cost less and are more readily available. Free machining material yields greater production, improved finish and closer tolerances. |
| TOLERANCES | Specify no closer tolerance than absolutely functionally necessary. Be sure that the tolerances are shown on the drawing and are practical and consistent with the application of the part. | If required, suppliers of precision machined products can and will make the parts with close tolerances. However, higher costs can be expected the closer the tolerance requirements. |
| DIMENSIONAL RELATIONSHIP |
For slotting, cross drilling, milling, broaching, etc., do not specify definite relationships between dimensions unless required. Be sure all dimensions are shown clearly and add up. | Specifying a close relationship requires expensive fixturing and slows production. |
| CONCENTRICITY | Concentricity as a dimension should be specified to the maximum allowable limits. | Concentricity of dimensions often determines how a part will be produced. Holding closer limits than required can cause considerable problems in manufacturing and inspecting. |
| INTERNAL DIAMETERS | Hole diameters should be specified to the maximum allowable limits. | Suppliers of precision machined products stock standard drills, reamers and plug gages. Special internal diameters can be produced where required with special tooling. |
| SHARP CORNERS | Unless there is a functional need for a sharp corner, specify chamfers or radii at all intersecting surfaces. | Sharp corners nick easily and require special handling. It is also more economical to produce a part with "broken corners." |
| THREADS | Specify standard threads, American National Standards Institute (ANSI) Unified Inch Screw Threads (UN and UNR Thread Form) or other ANSI standard threads. Use class 2a or 2b fits where application permits. For I.D. threads choose the least percent of thread that gives the required strength. | Special threads require special tools and gages. Closer fits may require additional operations. Full threads are harder to tap. |
| BURRS | Do not specify burr removal unless necessary to part function. | Burrs are a natural result of any machining operation involving intersecting surfaces. Burr prevention and removal may require additional machining or second operations. |
| FINISH | Clearly specify surface finish no closer than necessary to meet functional requirements. | Finer surface finish may require special tooling, slower cycle time or additional second operations and special handling and packaging methods. |
| QUALITY | Be as detailed as possible with the quality requirements. Specify which characteristics are of greatest importance to product performance. Acquaint the supplier with any internal quality control requirements, so that production quality methods will be consistent. Indicate initial sample requirements, specialized data requirements and inspection routings as part of the request for quotation. | This will allow the supplier to focus on what is important and to follow parallel or compatible quality procedures. |
| GAGES AND GAGING EQUIPMENT | Wherever possible, part design should avoid the need for special gages. | Special gages and gaging equipment add to part cost. Customers may supply special gages to eliminate additional gage costs. |
PLATING AND HEAT TREATING
We specialize in machining and rely on outside
suppliers for plating and heat treating. However, proper results
can be obtained if the specifications are clearly and completely
spelled out.
When specifying plating, be sure to advise thickness of plate
desired and whether print tolerances apply before or after plating.
If possible, use specifications from ASTM, Military or Federal
Specifications or other recognized sources to remove any doubt
as to the requirement. Be sure to advise the supplier of any tests
which will be used by incoming inspection.
When heat treating is required, avoid general terms such as "Case
Harden" or "Heat Treat and Draw." Give complete
details covering depth of case required, core hardness, draw temperature
and times, proper hardness scale and tensile ductility requirements.