Designing Parts for Quick Turn Manufacturing

Quick turn manufacturing is rapid manufacturing when parts are ordered as needed. Save money and time by following these design considerations, whether just starting out or a seasoned engineer, you may find something in this guide to help with your next project!

If you have questions, don’t hesitate to reach out to us by calling 1-800-403-9777 or emailing us.

There are a few things that can affect whether or not your part is considered ideal for quick turn manufacturing, for example, complexity – does your part require multiple positions, have a lot of features, need additional hardware, specialty tooling, or advanced post-processing? If so, this may disqualify your part as “quick turn,” leading to longer lead times and extra costs. Other things that can affect whether or not your part is considered “quick turn” would be whether or not you have a CAD file of your part, the size of the part – a large part may need special shipping or to be crated, and if unique materials need to be sourced for your project.

We can handle challenging projects; however, they will not be considered for “quick-turn” manufacturing. The following design considerations will help create parts for quick turn manufacturing, meaning shorter lead times and cost savings.

1. Complexity – The less complex, the easier to manufacture and the more likely to be a quick turn part.
2. Size and Number of Features –  The smaller the size and limited features, the easier to manufacture and more likely to be a quick turn part.
3. Tight Tolerances – Limiting tolerances, especially tight tolerances, the easier to manufacture and more likely to be a quick turn part.
4. Quantity of Parts – The number of parts (>25 pieces), the faster the time to manufacture and ship, the more likely to be a quick turn part.
5. Complex Finishes – Complex finishes such as highly cosmetic or needing a lot of masking the longer the part will take and the less likely it will be considered a quick turn part.
6. Welding and Grinding – Welding and grinding take time, and the less likely a part will be considered to be quick turn.
7. Added Hardware – Adding hardware post-manufacturing, such as helicoils, will add cost and time, and the less likely the part will be considered to be quick turn.
8. Large Parts – large parts that need additional considerations for shipping, the less likely the part will be considered quick turn.
9. Hard-to-Source or Hard-to-Machine Materials – Cost and manufacturing considerations will need to be made for hard-to-source or hard-to-machine materials, making a part less likely to be a quick turn part.
10. Large Assemblies with Multiple Pieces – these will likely need welding or extra hardware, like 6. and 7. these parts will more than likely not be considered quick turn parts.
11. No CAD Model – A CAD model will need to be created for the machines to read to create the part.  Creating a CAD file will take time, and the part won’t be considered quick turn.
12. Post Fabrication Testing (Pressure Testing, Leak Testing, and More) – These tests are not done in-house.