Entrepreneurs, inventors, and designers have great ideas for the next big thing. And the next best thing often requires sheet metal. These individuals call around, trying to get prototypes made, and are usually left feeling more confused than before and wondering how to design a product for metal fabrication. It involves manufacturable along with cost-effectiveness. If you are still in the design phase of your next product, here are some tips you can follow when working on your next product design.

Understanding How To Design a Product for Metal Fabrication

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If you've never been to a sheet metal fabricator, you might think they can be small, dingy pieces with loud machines clanging about all day. And that may have been true 30 years ago. Today's sheet metal fabricators are highly oiled machines and adhere to specific quality standards, such as ISO 9001:2015. They often have hundreds of employees working, and in the initial phases of your product design, some metal fabricators can only help you by pointing you in the right direction before your prototype is ready.

Leverage CAD Software

One of the best ways to get your product from dream into reality is to run it through a software program such as CAD. Building it out three-dimensionally will make it easier for you to go into a full-scale fabrication. Need help with how to use CAD? Find a CAD Designer on Upwork or Fiverr. Having some drawings available will go a long way with sheet metal fabricators.

Finding a Small Run Prototyper

A key to designing a metal fabrication product is finding a small-run prototyper to produce your initial designs. Since many sheet metal fabricators are set up for high-run productions only, it can be a challenge for them to run your product at scale. When you go to a small run prototype, they are built to take your product to the next level - before you go into full-scale production. Many of these companies will also have design and engineering services in case all you have is a napkin sketch to go off of. In addition, prototyping can help you validate your design for when you go into full-scale production mode. You'll better know if your product will work before investing significant capital into a large run.

Additional Considerations

1. When in the prototyping phase for a low-volume run, there are other considerations that you should be thinking about as you go along. An obvious consideration is the metal you want to build this product out of. Using carbon steel will be a cost-effective option if the product will be inside a warehouse, away from the elements. However, if the product is outside and exposed to the elements, designing it with stainless steel or aluminum might be necessary. If you have questions about a metal type, your prototype shop should be able to answer them, or they can point you to a partner for further assistance.
2. Many product developers and entrepreneurs often need to remember to do market research to determine if there is a need for the item they are about to create. Knowing your market and how many products you will need to launch your business is critical to choosing the right metal fabricator. Not all fabricators are the same; some have low volumes. Others are middle. And some high. Partnering with the right one for your needs is critical to your long-term success.

Engage Your Sheet Metal Fabricator

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You can engage a sheet metal fabricator once you have your market size, product, drawings, and prototype. Since the prints and initial engineering are complete, the fabricator can take that knowledge and work it into their system. Remember that when you send it to the fabricator, they may re-engineer it to make it more efficient for production. In fact, that is a critical element to look for when partnering with the right fabricator. Properly verifying that they have the latest equipment and services, such as powder coating and quality systems, and that an engineering team will ensure your product is made the right way time and time again.

Accurate Metal Fab - Ready to Help Your Product Design Questions

Designing a product for metal fabrication requires patience, planning, and collaboration. From prototyping to selecting suitable materials and consulting your fabricator, you can ensure that when your product is ready for production, it is functional, cost-effective, and manufacturable.

Ready to bring your design to life? At Accurate Metal Fabricating, we are prepared to partner with you on your next product design. We have state-of-the-art equipment, engineering, project management, and more under one roof. And our sister company, Accurate Perforating, is the perfect complement for high-volume perforating. Contact us today to get started!