There are many advantages to working with a true manufacturing partner invested in your success. They collaborate and provide design suggestions to improve part manufacturability, saving time and reducing costs.
Here’s one example of how our dedicated team at Axis Fab partnered with a company to improve a project’s manufacturability and drive cost savings.
Design Changes to Improve Manufacturability
EVRCool approached us with a new
laser chiller design. Our sheet metal manager worked closely with their engineers to review 3D CAD, providing recommendations to make the parts easier and more cost-effective to produce.
Many aspects made the original design complex, including:
- 20 separate parts: Each had to fit together perfectly.
- Tight bends: Many unusually intricate bends increased manufacturing difficulty and expense.
After prototyping and analyzing costs, EVRCool was open to design changes. Our goal was to make the assembly as easy to manufacture as possible and reduce costs while maintaining functionality.
Two Sides of a Successful Partnership
High-volume production and consistency can be challenging when components are complex. By iterating on the design together, we streamlined manufacturability.
Success required both sides.
Our Knoxville fabrication shop was committed to working alongside EVRCool to offer practical solutions. EVRCool was open to guidance and ready to implement suggestions.
Over a two-year partnership, we simplified many parts of the assembly, improving production efficiency and repeatability.
Key Cost-Cutting Changes
Our collaborative approach impacted the manufacturability across multiple areas.
- We eliminated welding and started bolting parts together with rivets, enabling consistent assembly without specialized welders.
- We simplified tight bends to reduce manufacturing complexity.
- We optimized parts for in-house tooling, consolidating production and leaving only one component for subcontracting.
By manufacturing almost every piece under one roof, EVRCool experiences improved efficiency, repeatability, and precise fitment.
Benefits of Partnering With Axis Fab
There are many benefits that come along with working with a full-service fabrication and machine shop.
Being a three-department shop (sheet metal, machining, and welding), Axis Fab brings a wide range of knowledge. We have the skillset to offer expertise across prototyping, iteration, and design optimization.
Our advanced equipment and skilled staff identified efficient and practical solutions early to save time and cost.
Scaling Together
Simplifying the assembly allowed EVRCool to expand production and offer three different sizes of the laser chiller. This opened new markets and allowed them to meet customer demand efficiently.
And our support goes beyond sheet metal fab. For instance, we manage inventory for EVRCool using blanket purchase orders, creating benefits for both sides of the partnership.
Looking Ahead
As EVRCool continues to grow, we look forward to supporting them with scalable, efficient solutions.
Choosing a true manufacturing partner fosters collaboration that improves manufacturability and efficiency, reduces costs, and strengthens your business.
For a true partner you can count on, contact Axis Fabrication and Machine today.