World class design and manufacturing engineers don’t react to metal finishing problems. They anticipate using electropolishing and other metal finishing processes from the start as an advantage for design and for manufacturability. In many cases, metal finishing is an afterthought in the process of bringing a new product to market.
Able's Finish First Methodology involves R&D input, prototyping and validating your manufacturing process on production finishing equipment, not in a laboratory setting. We run your prototypes in our state of the art facility, and work with you to ensure your parts are optimally designed for metal finishing helping reduce WIP and getting your finished product into assembly sooner, with optimal fit and function.
If you want a true partner with skin in the game, our goal is to invest in the relationship through our Finish First Methodology and make your project a success! Let us help you increase yield and avoid unforeseen surface finish issues.
Companies like Amazon have created an environment where the bar is constantly being raised to satisfy customer expectations for speed, consistency and ease of use which has carried over to manufacturing.
Decreased speed to market gives the competition the advantage when it comes to innovation, allowing them to reach consumers with new products, services or offers before you do. It also provides your competitors the opportunity to dominate the market, even with a substandard product—simply because they got there first.
In addition, unplanned defects related to metal finishing are risks not only to your business but to the consumers as well. Fall out, delay to launch, non-functional parts, material and personnel costs are all contributing factors to hindering a successful launch of a product.
Unforeseen defects such as grinding, burrs and discoloration lead to unplanned costs and delays. As a side effect, OEMs and contract manufacturers are faced with the challenge of reduced revenue and margin.
OEMs understand the opportunity cost associated with the impact delays present in bringing a product to market not to mention giving their competitors an advantage. But seldom do we look at the disruption this creates to current operations and the attention it draws away from more strategic work.
In the example below, let’s assume we are a medical device manufacturer and we have a metal finishing problem related to the part design. We have a requirement for electropolishing since we need to improve RA by 50% and the surface must not allow bacteria to grow during surgeries. Since we did not engage expertise in metal finishing early in the process, we are behind schedule due to the inability for hospitals to properly rinse the part in production due to a design flaw.
We are now two months behind schedule. Below is a breakdown of the opportunity and resource costs associated with the delay.
We deliver the experience and speed that your business demands in order to bring products to market faster than your competition. From R&D Guidance, education, and prototype testing on production equipment, we create tailored solutions to your metal finishing needs that deliver results to your customers and improve your bottom line.
Able OEM and contract manufacturer clients are constantly faced with the challenge of improving their product from a metal finishing perspective based on varying requirements. There are many benefits to Electropolishing including deburring, microfinish improvement, aesthetic value, corrosion resistance, ultracleaning, etc. Our goal at Able, based on our 70-year history and being a pioneer in the electropolishing space, is to not only to provide electropolishing services to our clients but to provide valuable insight and perspective to our customers’projects.
Able dives in with our clients to understand the challenges they are having and where electropolishing may provide benefits. As your metal finishing partner, we want to invest early in the process to provide as much insight and perspective based on our experience to ultimately improve quality and reduce time to market.
The outcome of this phase is intended to provide budgetary information, input as to whether electropolishing will benefit their particular project, and defined next steps.
Able provides a “lunch and learn” format that provides education for engineers, management, project managers, R&D staff, and buyers on the electropolishing requirements and benefits in an easily consumable format. We typically bring in delicious food, great presenters, and make this a fun and interactive session.
In the workshop, Able addresses the following areas amongst others. Please contact sales@ableep.com to coordinate your Electropolishing lunch and learn.
Input into the metal finishing process during the R&D phase can help eliminate many problems once a product is developed and begins the metal finishing phase for the first time. Unfortunately, many times metal finishing is not considered a strategic aspect of developing a new product or part which leads to the inability to properly fixture and rinse the parts resulting in an inadequate finish in some cases.
Able collaborates with our clients to document all drawing finish requirements, which includes special handling and special work instructions specific to each part.
Able works with our clients to establish processing parameters for each part which involves determining proper material removal/processing time and fixturing. In addition, we ensure shipping materials and process supports production requirements at scale which is often overlooked and contributes to damaged parts. Able has the ability to develop custom solutions in conjunction with our clients in order to maintain the integrity of each lot shipped.
During this phase, Able's Performance Qualification varies the parameters to show the process is capable of achieving the desired result and finish in a consistent manner. The goal is to eliminate multiple finishing steps and to lower manufacturing costs by deburring, improving surface finish corrosion resistance, ultra-cleaning and improving cycle life all in one step and at one location.
Able performs regular status calls as production ramps up to ensure the highest yield and consistency.
Our hope is that we have delighted our customers with the approach outlined above, which will lead to new metal finishing projects in the future.
Able will work with you and your team to develop parameters for your prototypes that result in a great finish for your product. Able will provide a shipping label and process your prototype at no cost.
Contact us to learn more about Finish First electropolishing
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