When designers and engineers request quotes for metal fabrication services, our standard practice is to conduct a Design for Manufacturability (DFM) review to ensure that each part and assembly can flow through our shop efficiently.
In most cases, we identify opportunities to optimize designs to improve quality, cost, and lead time. Unfortunately, we don’t always have enough time to make these adjustments without impacting customers’ delivery timelines.
You deserve the best custom fabrications, and we love building perfect parts. That’s why we recommend involving us early in the design phase instead of waiting until you’re ready for a quote.
How Much Advance Notice Does Your Fabricator Need?
The amount of advance notice we need at Ameritex varies depending on the size and complexity of the custom fabrication. Here are a few guidelines to help you determine when to start the conversation with us:
- 1-3 days for simple parts
- 2-3 weeks for small assemblies (10-50 parts)
- 1 month for complex assemblies ( Dozens to hundreds of parts)
What happens if you request a quote for a part that needs design adjustments and don’t provide enough advance notice to your fabricator?
In the best-case scenario, we’ll figure out how to build the part to print without making any optimizations. In the worst-case scenario, we’ll need to take the time to fix the design, which often results in expedite charges and longer lead times.
Your best bet is to give your fabricator sufficient time to do the job, which includes the time needed to adjust the design.
Get Free Sheet Metal Fabrication DFM Advice—No Strings Attached
It’s no fun to work hard on a design only to have your fabricator tell you that it needs to be updated—we get it.
We encourage you to view us as your free manufacturing consultant for custom fabrications and involve us early on in your process. We’ll gladly take a look at your design—there are no strings attached, and you have no obligation to work with us. (Though we hope you will!)
An initial design consultation only takes about 5-10 minutes. Ideally, we’ll want to review your basic concept before you get deep into the 3D modeling process. If you don’t have a sketch yet, it’s probably too early. But once you’ve put pen to paper and have a rough design, reach out to us!
Got a design that you’d like us to review? Request a quote on our website and select “Design Consultation,” or email us at sales@ameritexllc.com. We want you to save time and money on the highest quality parts, and we’re here to help.
