Design Assistance

Some basic ideas that can help in reducing the overall cost of a part by designing the part to be manufacturing friendly are provided below. For a more in depth analysis send us your drawings, or call one of our engineers.

* Laser cutting considerations
* Minimum hole diameter. General rule of thumb is minimum hole diameter is equal to or greater than the   material thickness. A 5/16"DIA hole can be put in 1" thk plate but not with great speed and reliability. The   cutting speed and pierce routine must be adjusted which increase time and part cost.
* Sheet Metal Forming
* Use the same ISR for all bends unless required
* A hole or slot put near a bend will distort. Critical holes placed in the affected bend area will have to be put in   after bending or opened up resulting in an additional operation and added cost.
* Tolerances
* The tighter the tolerance, the greater the cost. Don't pay for something you don't need.
* Where possible open all tolerances and deviate from engineering block tolerances when appropriate.