Jul. 14, 2025
When you outsource your custom parts to be manufactured, you’ll typically fall into one of two categories – those that ultimately save money on equipment, parts, and labor and get a better return on their investment or those that end up spending more than they should be, capping their profit. If you find yourself in the latter category and wanting to cut costs while still maintaining the integrity of your parts, these five manufacturing cost cutting techniques are for you.
You can find more information on our web, so please take a look.
Adding small divots, cuts and holes are very difficult to mill, adding costs for time and labor. Eliminate any unnecessary elements to your parts in order to reduce the milling time that’s required and reduce your overall manufacturing costs.
Simply changing the material that you use to create your custom manufactured part can save you tremendously in the long run. For example, instead of using stainless steel, switch out your machining material with a durable plastic material.
By agreeing to a blanket purchase (pre-arranged order of manufacturing and delivery on multiple dates over a period of time), most contract manufacturing companies will offer their services at a lower price and they’ll make sure that you’re a top priority when it comes time to manufacture your parts.
The more holes and the deeper those holes have to be drilled, the more time and money the parts require. Try limiting to only what you need to create the best and most cost-efficient part.
If you’re still manufacturing your parts internally, that may be consuming more of your time, energy and resources than it should be. From owning and servicing the manufacturing machines, to hiring certified machinists to operate the machines, the costs associated with running parts in-house may be more than you bargained for. When you outsource your parts to a qualified manufacturing company, you can save money on manufacturing the parts all together and be able to focus more on other areas of your business.
When it comes to prototyping a custom part or enclosure, selecting the right manufacturing process can make all the difference for your project. Two of the most popular methods – sheet metal fabrication and CNC machining – each offer distinct advantages. Depending on your specific requirements, you can choose the method that best suits your needs. At Protocase, we can custom manufacture your part or enclosure using either method, and best of all, we can do it in just 2-3 days.
In this blog, we’ll guide you through the key factors to help you decide between sheet metal fabrication and CNC machining.
Sheet Metal Fabrication involves shaping thin sheets of metal through cutting, bending and assembling.
CNC Machining (short for Computer Numerical Control machining) uses software-driven tools to cut material from a solid block with incredible precision.
The complexity of your prototype’s design will largely determine which method is best:
Sheet Metal Fabrication: Suited for simpler, flat designs or prototypes with angular shapes, it’s therefore an ideal choice for box-like enclosures, as well as chassis and housings with bendable or folded structures.
CNC Machining: Best for highly detailed designs, which have intricate geometries and blind features. For example, if your enclosure needs tight tolerances or integrated features like threads or grooves, then sheet metal fabrication might not be the right fit.
Xin Jiyuan supply professional and honest service.
Both manufacturing methods produce durable prototypes, but their applications differ:
Sheet Metal Fabrication: Produces strong, resilient parts, ideal for general use cases. However, sheet metal parts may not provide the same level of durability as machined parts for high-impact applications.
CNC Machining: Offers superior strength with tighter tolerances and better surface finishes. Machined enclosures are more robust and better suited for harsh environments, such as aerospace applications, and offer excellent protection against water and moisture.
Consider the type of features you need in your prototype:
Sheet Metal Fabrication: Ideal for adding perforations, vents, or access panels. Moreover, it’s great for lightweight designs that require ventilation cutouts or fasteners, latches, and hinged panels.
CNC Machining: Allows for high-precision, single-structure parts with integrated features like heat sinks, gaskets, or complex pockets for electronics.
We understand that tight deadlines are common while prototyping. While CNC machining typically takes longer due to programming and setup, our High Velocity Mass Customization (HVMC) process ensures lead times of just 2-3 days for fully finished custom parts and enclosure, whether you choose sheet metal fabrication or CNC machining. However, note that the complexity of the machining process can impact lead times (check our guide for more information). So, plan accordingly.
At Protocase, we stock a wide range of materials to match your project’s requirements:
Sheet Metal Fabrication: Steel, galvanneal, stainless steel, aluminum, copper and perforated sheet metal.
CNC Machining: Aluminum, cold-rolled steel, stainless steel, as well as plastics like Delrin, acetal, UHMW, acrylic and polycarbonate.
Ultimately, the choice between sheet metal fabrication and CNC machining depends on the specific needs of your custom prototype. Here’s a quick summary:
Sheet Metal Fabrication: If your design features flat, folded, or modular shapes and doesn’t require tight tolerances.
CNC Machining: If your prototype needs precision, tight tolerances, or is a solid block.
If you are interested in sending in a Guest Blogger Submission,welcome to write for us!
All Comments ( 0 )