Typical Manufacturing Project Life Cycle
STEP | DESCRIPTION | CUSTOMER ACTION | OUR ACTION | TURNAROUND (calendar days or weeks) |
1 | Quoting | Fills in RFQ form and provide product design (2D/3D) for us to provide a quote. | Engineering studies RFQ and provides quotes based on volume. | 1-2 weeks. |
2 | Project go-ahead | Approves our quote. | Project kick-off. | |
3 | Design & specs update | Sends latest CAD drawings, design notes, and specifications. | 3D (igs/stp)/ 2D (dxf/dwg) drawings for casting, machining and finishing are preferred. | |
4 | Tooling design | Provides tooling design guidance or transfers existing tooling. | Designs new tooling or modifies existing tooling. Provides new tool design drawings for approval. | 1 week. |
5 | Build/modify tooling | Reviews and approves tooling design. | Builds or modifies tooling. | - New tooling: 30-60 days. - Modification of existing tooling: 3-15 days. |
6 | First sample production | Examines first production sample from us to determine if any modifications are needed (e.g., minor sizing adjustments). | Changes tooling based on customer feedback. | 3-15 days. |
7 | First batch production | Examines first production batch and approves production readiness. | 2-3 weeks. | |
8 | Production | Places order and schedules production. |