How to choose the right type of manufacturing

Industrial design is a complex process that requires expert knowledge of production types, for example injection moulding. For those who are new to the world of industrial design and production, it can be difficult to understand the differences between the various types of production and processes. In this blog post, we’ll break down some of the basics about industrial design and types of production processes, so you can have a better understanding of how we create products.

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Production types

There are three main types of manufacturing processes: subtractive manufacturing, additive and formative; each with its own set of advantages and disadvantages. The most common types of production processes are assembly, sheet metal forming, milling, injection moulding, and casting. Manufacturing parts involves producing items from raw materials using specialized machines; assembly is the process of putting together components to create a complete product.

SUBTRACTIVE MANUFACTURING

This is a process whereby parts are cut or removed from a larger material using drills or cutting tools (for example milling). This type of production process is typically used for creating precision components such as screws, machine parts and mechanisms. It is very accurate but costly as it takes expensive machines a lot of time to remove material to shape parts.

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ADDITIVE MANUFACTURING

Utilizing 3D printing technology to create objects by depositing plastic or metal layers one at a time until a desired shape is achieved. This type of manufacturing is ideal for creating intricate shapes or prototype components. However, it takes much longer than formative manufacturing since each layer has to be added separately.

Formative manufacturing

This involves forming raw materials into products through injection moulding or other casting techniques. This production type allows for large-scale production runs with relatively low costs compared to subtractive or additive methods. It also allows manufacturers to create complex shapes with intricate details quickly and efficiently without sacrificing quality control standards. However, it does require specialized equipment and expensive custom moulds to enable making parts this way.

Types of injection moulding

Injection moulding is a process that allows for the mass-production of identical items quickly and cost-effectively. The process involves injecting molten plastic into an accurately machined mould which then cools off until it reaches its final form. There are several different types of injection moulding including hot runner systems (HRS), cold runner systems (CRS), multi-component systems (MCS), gas assisted injection moulding (GAIM) and more.

Finding a factory

An Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) factory is a third-party contractor that manufactures products for other companies. In essence, they are responsible for taking your product design and turning it into a tangible item. These types of facilities usually specialize in producing certain types of products, such as electronics or clothing and are widely used by companies small and large.

Through outsourcing your manufacturing needs to an OEM factory, you can save time and money while still creating high-quality products. The main purpose of outsourcing production to an OEM factory is to benefit from their expertise in mass-producing items quickly at lower costs than if they were made in-house. For example, there are television factories that only manufacture television sets for dozens of brands, which allows them to completely adapt the production process and save a great deal on component purchases.

Other advantages are: eliminating the need for investing in expensive equipment and materials or hiring skilled labor for production. Working with an OEM allows you to focus on other aspects of your business, such as marketing and customer service. Most clients of ManGo work with OEM factories, either overseas or in their own region as they can be found all over the world. And some of our clients have their own manufacturing plants with whom we collaborate to bring their products to life.

Conclusion

During the industrial design process at ManGo we always carefully consider which production type is appropriate for your project in order to ensure quality results every time. Most products are made up of components coming from a multitude of different production types of which there are hundreds in total. Different types have their own strengths based on what you’re creating – whether it’s mass-produced items or small batches. Depending on your product requirements, moulding budget, desired costs and projected volumes ManGo Product Design can propose the most suitable type of manufacturing for your product. Also, it is of the utmost importance to find the right OEM specialized what you need to have made, at ManGo we have a vast network and can assist you in making the right selection.

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More information

Not sure about the most suitable production type for your product, we can help you make the right choice. Contact us by phone, our online form or send an e-mail to:

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