What is low-volume manufacturing in rapid prototyping?
Low-volume manufacturing is a faster approach to the manufacturing of the prototypes of a design in lesser volumes.
This type of manufacturing is getting more and more popular in the manufacturing sector due to increased demand for scalable, rapid prototyping.
The clients are looking to get ample copies of their prototype at a quicker and affordable rate utilize the low-volume manufacturing process.
Hence, fabricators or manufacturers will have absolute demand flexibility. Besides, it will rid them of the hassle of production tooling, which is relatively expensive and takes much more time than low-volume production.
Thus, if you are in urgent need of several copies of your prototype for modification and improvisation then, First Part low-volume manufacturing is the best option for you as you get the ultimate flexibility of quantity that is 100-50,000 pieces.
Materials used in low volume manufacturing at First Part:
First Part offers two types of materials for low-volume manufacturing of the parts or prototypes metal and plastic.
Now, it’s up to you that, which material you want to go with. Still, it should be kept in mind that one of the material may not be that suited for the parts or prototype so evaluate thoroughly and decide which material is best suited for your prototypes or parts.
Applications of low volume manufacturing:
There are several applications of low-volume manufacturing, and today, I’m going to highlight some of the most prominent applications of low volume manufacturing in the list below:
1.Functional prototypes that match the final product
2.Production grade engineering prototypes
3.Rapid bridge tooling
4.Pre-production components for testing purpose
5.Customized soft volume CNC machine parts
5.Plastic injection molding parts
6.Low volume sheet metal production
7.High-quality custom products
8.Urgent short-term production of products
Advantages of low volume manufacturing:
Saving Costs:
Low-volume manufacturing is the ideal way to avoid large investments and high expenses. Suppose the final product does not need to withstand high levels of pressure. In that case you can use a less durable material for the prototypes and test the final product’s functionality product through these prototypes, and if needed modify them accordingly.
Furthermore, large volume manufacturing tends to have minimum pieces per order policy: which forces the designer or manufacturer to invest large sums of money in producing parts, and prototypes that may not be used in the final product’s design and production.
Design Flexibility:
Low volume manufacturing is one of the best methods to get parts and prototypes produced with the liberty of changing or modifying the design. This is possible because in large orders changing the design in the middle of the production can significantly affect all manufactured parts and prototypes. Still, it doesn’t make a difference in small volumes, so manufacturers can change or alter the design if they want.
Disadvantages of low volume manufacturing:
No economies of scale:
Low-volume manufacturing enables avoiding large investment; however, it might lead to higher costs in the long run because the client can enjoy no economies of scale as the product’s quantity usually is low.
Mismanagement of market demand:
To save costs and minimizing expenses, low-volume manufacturing is hugely influential. Still, when you’re manufacturing lower amounts of products, you are uncertain about the market demand in the market. It may be difficult for you to manage the orders and respond to the market demand on time.
This can lead to severe loss in sales and overall revenue, which can ultimately affect the enterprise’s overall profit. Hence, there is a great risk attached to this type of manufacturing style.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ):
Q. Can I use my material to arrange the production?
A. We accept customer-supplied material for machining if it fits with our machine capabilities.
Q. Will my design be protected?
A. Indeed, A nondisclosure agreement “NDA” would be arranged at the beginning.
Q. What is the advantage of First Part which compare to other suppliers?
A. First Part China Limited has our machine that could directly make the client’s drawing and provide the one-stop service for all the after treatment, such as the anodizing, powdered coating, bead blast, etc.
Conclusion:
Low volume manufacturing is beneficial for getting your initial prototypes manufactured. Moreover, it can also be used for urgent orders and on-demand projects.
However, there are some drawbacks of low-volume manufacturing, including a lack of economies of scale.
Nonetheless, low-volume manufacturing is gaining attention in the market, and many businesses are utilizing this facility.
And suppose you want to get your parts or prototypes manufactured from one of the market’s best manufacturers. In that case, you can use First Part low-volume manufacturing services that are reliable and provide you with your manufactured products on time.
