Project snapshot: a UK manufacturer of recycling and material sorting equipment needed a stainless steel fabrication partner for 316L hoppers, guards and control enclosures. Over 14 months the project moved from a single trial order to a quarterly release schedule, with lead time reduced by 35% and first-pass yield raised from 88% to 98.5%.
Client Background
ItemDetail
IndustryRecycling and material sorting equipment
LocationUnited Kingdom
Company sizeMid-sized OEM, 120 to 150 staff
Parts in scope316L hoppers, side guards, control cabinets, mounting frames
Annual volumeAround 2400 fabricated assemblies
Service usedOEM sheet metal fabrication, welding, powder coating, kitting
The Problem
The client had been buying fabricated 316L parts from a local UK subcontractor. Three issues kept repeating. First, delivery slipped: quoted at 8 weeks, actual delivery ran to 12 weeks in peak season, which pushed machine assembly dates and forced expensive overtime. Second, weld quality was inconsistent. Hoppers that must hold liquid were failing leak tests on roughly one unit in eight, and rework had to be done after powder coating, which meant stripping, re-welding and recoating. Third, dimensional drift appeared on multi-part assemblies: brackets that passed inspection individually would not line up on the assembly line, because each part had been made from a different drawing revision.
Cost per part looked acceptable on paper, but the true cost including rework, line stoppage and air freight for urgent replacement parts was far higher than the purchase price suggested.
What We Changed
Drawing and revision control: one master drawing set was locked at project start, and every batch was produced against the same revision with a revision stamp on each part
Welding fixtures: jigs were built for the three highest-volume weldments so hoop distortion stayed within 1.5mm and leak tests became repeatable
First article approval: a full first article with CMM dimensional report and weld photographs was approved before any batch production
Material traceability: 316L mill certificates were filed per heat number and referenced on the packing list
Kitting: parts for one machine were packed and labelled as a kit rather than as bulk quantities, cutting line-side sorting time
Surface treatment: powder coating applied after all welding and leak testing, with 480-hour salt spray verification on test coupons
Execution Timeline
Week 1: drawing review, DFM report issued with 11 cost and quality suggestions
Week 2: quotation approved, NDA signed, welding jigs designed
Week 3 to 4: first articles produced and shipped by air for approval
Week 5: client engineering sign-off, minor bend radius change incorporated
Week 6 onwards: batch production in 3-week cycles, sea freight with 2 weeks buffer stock at client site
Results After 14 Months
MetricBeforeAfter
Average lead time12 weeks7.5 weeks
First-pass yield88%98.5%
Leak test failures per batch12 unitsFewer than 1 unit
Rework and recoating costBaselineDown 42%
Emergency air freight events5 per year0 in 14 months
Assembly fit-up complaintsRecurringNone since batch 2
Client Feedback
"The difference is predictability. We stopped building buffer stock to protect our assembly line, because the parts arrive when promised and they fit the first time," said the client's purchasing manager. "The DFM notes in the first quote paid for themselves in the first three batches."
Why The Project Worked
Three things made the difference: fixtures instead of skill-dependent welding, one locked drawing revision across every batch, and inspection data shipped with the parts so the client could verify rather than guess, and a single English speaking engineer accountable for the account.
Similar Project?
We fabricate 304 and 316L parts for recycling equipment, food machinery, medical housings and water treatment systems. Send your drawing with material, thickness, finish and annual quantity, and our engineering team will reply with a costed quotation and DFM notes within 12 working hours.
Our Solutions | 私たちのソリューション
✨ 当社は、お客様が精度、品質、納期における課題を解決できるよう、エンドツーエンドのステンレス鋼板金加工サービスを提供しています。
✅ Key Solutions | 主要なソリューション
Custom Fabrication | カスタムファブリケーションTailor-made stainless steel sheet metal parts based on drawings or samples. | 図面またはサンプルに基づいて、オーダーメイドのステンレス鋼板金部品。図面またはサンプルに基づいてステンレス鋼板金部品をカスタマイズ。
Precision & Quality Control | 精度と品質管理Strict tolerance management and 100% inspection before shipment. | 出荷前の厳格な公差管理と100%検査。厳格な公差管理、出荷前の100%検査。
Flexible Production | 柔軟な生産From prototypes to large-scale orders, we adapt to your needs. | プロトタイプから大規模な注文まで、お客様のニーズに合わせて対応します。試作から大量生産まで対応。
Fast Lead Time | 短納期Rapid prototyping and efficient production to meet urgent schedules. | 緊急のスケジュールに対応するための迅速なプロトタイピングと効率的な生産。迅速な試作と効率的な生産で、緊急のスケジュールに対応。
One-Stop Service | ワンストップサービスDesign support, laser cutting, bending, welding, surface finishing, and assembly. | 設計サポート、レーザー切断、曲げ、溶接、表面仕上げ、組み立てを提供します。設計サポート、レーザー切断、曲げ、溶接、表面処理から組み立てまで、全工程のサービスを提供。