Speeding Prototyping and Pre-Production for Large OEMs

For many OEMs, the prototyping and pre-production processes are marked by both the excitement that comes with the introduction of a new product or component, and quality problems, delays and headaches.

Moving from prototyping to pre-production to production involves many steps, from determining a new product’s manufacturability to its eventual quality and reliability. To make the process successful, OEMs need contract partners that can deliver on attention to detail while being cost-conscious.

In the production of metal components, fluid cell forming has emerged as an ideal prototyping and pre-production method, thanks to its short lead times, low costs and precision results.

A process that utilizes a fluid-cell press, or bag press, to form sheet metal into difficult shapes, fluid cell forming exerts high pressure — up to 11,600 p.s.i. — onto a flexible rubber diaphragm that forms the sheet metal into shapes that meet precise tolerances.

Fluid cell forming requires the use of just one die, even for the creation of difficult components. This significantly reduces the tooling costs and time necessary during the prototyping process, allowing multiple iterations of prototypes to be formed quickly and efficiently.

Pre-production to Production

For OEMs who utilize overseas production contractors, moving from the prototyping and pre-production phase to the production phase typically comes with up to six months of lag time before overseas contract facilities are ready to move forward. Once again, fluid cell forming is an ideal production method to give OEMs a running start.

At Jones Metal, we have the capabilities to produce limited production runs that can bridge the gap between pre-production and production. Based upon field-proven technology, Jones Metal’s Quintus Technologies Flexform™Fluid Cell Press enables the formation of small parts, shallow components, large panels and complex  shapes. Because parts are made using the fluid cell forming process, they emerge with limited surface abrasion, which translates into fewer resources spent on downstream finishing.

Our fluid cell forming operations have the capacity to support limited production runs, which can help OEMs build inventory. This gives OEMs and their mass production partners the time and flexibility they need to bring production up to speed.

For small and mid-sized aerospace, commercial lighting and medical device manufacturers, choosing Jones Metal for fluid cell forming prototyping, pre-production and early production offers the promise of greater design flexibility, faster prototyping and a quick production start.

Do you have prototyping and pre-production metal forming needs? Call Jones Metal Products Company today at 888-479-9566.