As a result, it is usually challenging to keep pace with all the dos and don'ts of part design. But reducing the cost of machined parts while improving functionality can nonetheless be achieved by a few not at all hard adjustments to your account design or material selection Rapid Prototyping China. At Protolabs, we use automation software to quote parts and highlight features which need design consideration based on a process developed around producing parts rapidly. The software will catch features which might be unmanufacturable in the beginning, nonetheless it will also highlight areas that don't necessarily require change, but sometimes improve the design's overall machinability---corner pockets, engraved text, thin walls, deep pockets and holes, and sophisticated geometries.
Shop owners might choose to consider purchasing more manufacturing equipment to meet existing and future orders. This can be a difficult decision to create, as future growth isn't guaranteed and purchasing equipment has several upfront costs. On the positive side, however, new machinery equipment raises production capacity and improve cycle times, that could in turn create more opportunities on your business. Business owners must weigh the potential risks versus the rewards --- and again, communicate your time and effort to your team accordingly.
If buying new machinery isn't an alternative, see if you can modify increase your current equipment. This approach uses a much lower investment than purchasing new items, but it really can still help to improve your production capacity and cycle speeds.
A design which utilizes standard tap hole sizes and standard drill sizes helps save money in several ways. For tap holes, both tap size and thread depth can increase costs. Threaded holes smaller compared to a 2-56 in. size will demand hand tapping, adding some time and labor costs, so they really should be avoided. Standard tap sizes, just like the more common 4-40 taps, tend to be more available than 3-48 taps, for example.
Threads only three times the outlet diameter make the perfect rule of thumb, and also lower ratios are better. If threads are extremely long, tapping time rises therefore you run the risk of tap breakage.For drilling, using standard number, letter, or fractional drill sizes is effective in reducing machine time by reduction of the need for reamers or end mills to do holes to non-standard sizes.
