The biggest cost of custom manufacturing is not materials or tooling—it's communication. Incomplete drawings and unclear specifications are the main causes of delays and rework. This article shares how to communicate your requirements clearly in one go.
Step 1: Prepare Your Drawings or Samples
Supported drawing formats (by priority):
When sending, always specify: material grade requirement, quantity, delivery timeline, operating conditions (temperature, pressure, medium).
Step 2: Technical Evaluation (1-2 Business Days)
Upon receiving drawings, we will evaluate:
- Material suitability: Whether drawing requirements are reasonable, if material selection is appropriate
- Mold feasibility: Can existing molds be modified, or is new tooling needed
- Dimensional tolerances: Are drawing tolerances achievable, do we need confirmation from customer
- Cost estimation: Tooling cost (if new mold needed), unit price, total cost
We will respond: Can produce / Need drawing modification / Cannot produce (with reasons). Over 15 years, we've declined many unreasonable custom requests—this benefits both of us.
Step 3: Prototyping (7-15 Business Days)
After confirming the solution, sample fee is charged (for new molds). Prototyping phase:
- New mold: Small batch (5-50 pieces) for validation
- Mold modification: Quick adjustment then sampling
- Sample inspection: Full dimensional inspection per drawing, inspection report provided
Pitfall Prevention Tips
- Don't specify overly tight tolerances: Unnecessarily strict tolerances increase cost. For general mechanical parts ±0.05mm is usually sufficient.
- Be specific about material: Don't just write "phenolic resin", specify grade or performance requirements (e.g., PF2, heat-resistant, glass-filled).
- Order reasonable sample quantities: Don't order just 1 piece—order at least 5-10 pieces to verify dimensional stability.
- Allow buffer time for delivery: Rush orders incur expedite fees; advance planning saves significant costs.
Send us your drawings for evaluation. Email: liu@hualing-machinery.com
Contact Engineer Liu