Como escolher o fabricante certo para o seu projeto

How to choose the right manufacturer for your project

WayKen

You may have a question: I have a great design and I need to make a prototype of it. What should I do to make it work perfectly? Or another question: My project needs a reliable manufacturer to help me make the parts I want. What do I need to work on?

Before answering these questions, you need to consider how you will go about finding a supplier. How much does it cost to build a prototype? How protected is your design? And so on.

I will try to answer with my knowledge and experience.

3 ways to contact the manufacturer in China

CNC Factory

Before then, it's a good idea to look for fabrication services from a manufacturer near you. A manufacturer that allows you to keep an eye on your project's progress and communicate with your project in a timely manner can help your project run more smoothly.
However, you have more options. We live in the era of economic globalization and therefore it can also be supplied by manufacturers from surrounding areas or even neighboring countries.

If you want to choose a cost-effective manufacturer, I recommend you try your luck in China. Being a global industrial hub, the country has thousands of factories that are unmatched when it comes to any part that needs customization. This will save you a lot of time searching for the right manufacturer – after all, it is much easier to find water in the sea than in the desert. And Chinese production has a price advantage over industrialized countries like the US or Britain.

1. Use the Internet to search

Using the Internet and channels like Alibaba to post and search information is a good way to find and contact the relevant manufacturer. Note that the best option is to communicate with them via traditional email. Try to describe the details of your project so that they can provide you with better service.

2. Visits to exhibitions

Visiting different fairs in search of suppliers is also a great option. You can communicate with them personally, discuss your needs, and get an initial idea of ​​their services and manufacturing capabilities. Of course, attending trade shows during the pandemic involves a certain amount of risk.

3. On the recommendation of an experienced person

First, you should make sure that the recommended manufacturer already has a good working relationship with the recommender. You can determine if it's right for you by looking at the projects they've shared with each other. Cost, delivery time, communication details, etc. These are things that can be used as an assessment.

If you have found several target suppliers through the points above, ensure close communication with them for your project. Here it takes some time to work with them, each supplier has different advantages, and you can determine which supplier you need for which project through quotation and trial order. Of course, I believe you will find a quality manufacturer with whom you can cooperate smoothly.

What costs should you consider when selecting a manufacturer?

1. Communication and time costs.

During project planning, you may have spent a lot of time discussing options and working out details. Therefore, during the manufacturing phase, you want to save time and complete the prototype as quickly as possible. Therefore, try to inform the manufacturer about the details and possible uses of your project during the communication phase. A quality manufacturer will suggest multiple DFM and cost reduction options based on your product, which can save a lot of communication time.

Also, describe your requirements as precisely as possible. For example, you need a black appearance, but black includes matte black, glossy black, and various tones. If you do not specify your requirements, it will be difficult for the manufacturer to provide a product that satisfies you, which will obviously consume both parties' communication time. Additionally, repeated attempts will significantly increase costs.

Describe your project and requirements, drawings and details to the manufacturer in as much detail as possible so that your project can be completed faster.

2. Production costs

We all know that the price of a prototype is significantly higher than the price of a finished product. Therefore, make sure you have the ideal design and manufacturing solution and determine manufacturing specifications taking into account various requirements (materials, surface finishes, dimensional tolerances, etc.) before starting mass production of the product.

Additionally, when it comes to cost savings on prototypes, a quality manufacturer will offer a range of options based on their proven team and years of experience, saving you time and money while maintaining product quality. If your manufacturer asks a lot of questions about your prototype and makes a lot of suggestions for improvements, congratulations on finding a manufacturer who is truly willing to provide value to you. He is willing to spend time on your prototype to make suggestions and communicate effectively, not just make an offer. This will help you avoid surprises and save a lot of money on any project you work on together.

3. Manufacturer costs

A manufacturer needs a certain amount of time to determine whether they are a quality manufacturer and whether working with them is a good idea.

In the early stages of finding partners, you will need to avoid some intermediaries in project delivery as they will send your project information to multiple manufacturers and you don't want your product to be copied before launch, which can be costly. When you find a manufacturer you think is a good fit for you, ask them to provide you with their certifications, factory profile, and sign a confidentiality agreement before working with them. Visit your local factory if necessary.

University Degree

Rapid prototype

A manufacturer must be punctual, keep costs under control, offer flexible manufacturing options and advice. For example, if your project is urgent but the manufacturer cannot plan the manufacturing of your project in advance, that is bad news. A quality manufacturer can be considered the manufacturing department of your company. Through long-term and stable cooperation, you can save a lot of time and costs and focus on your product. This will definitely help you and your business grow.

If you don't know how to find a quality manufacturer.

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