Engineering Support to Reduce Your Manufacturing Costs
At Gemini Industrial, we offer two core capabilities: machine building services and sheet metal fabrication. But our shop’s engineering support is what lies behind our success in both of these seemingly distinct areas.
Our engineering team is integrated into all of our processes, ensuring that every decision on the shop floor is the best one for our customers. Through their experience building custom machines and their deep design for manufacturing (DFM) knowledge, they reduce your project’s costs by making your manufacturing process more efficient.
A Case Study in Design Optimization
One recent custom metal fabrication project demonstrates the value of our engineering support. A customer approached us with an excellent design for an attractive product. But as a manufacturer, we saw that the long pieces of material involved could potentially add cost to their fabrication quote.
That’s because pieces of that size often require specialized bending equipment. We suggested some other options to the customer that could help lower the cost of their manufacturing.
For instance, several large pieces required a high number of bends. By splitting the material into more manageable sections, we could process the parts using the equipment we already had without affecting appearance. In addition, some deep bends would have required specialized punches. Our team suggested changes to these features to achieve them with conventional press brake setups.
By collaborating with the customer on small changes, they were able to improve lead time and help their bottom line without affecting functionality or aesthetics.
Engineering Expertise in Custom Machine Building
Our engineering support plays an equally important role in custom machine building projects. We help customers solve unique manufacturing challenges and eliminate production bottlenecks. That requires exactly the sort of careful analysis and innovative thinking our team is known for.
Recently, for instance, one customer talked to us about upgrading their extrusion winder machines. Initially, they requested more of the machines we had already built for them, only this time with newer components to simplify maintenance. As we discussed the plan with them, our team saw a chance to deliver even greater value.
After diving into conversations about their goals and challenges, we proposed a redesign. The investment amount would be similar to their original request, but the productivity gains would be higher. They agreed, and the new machine enabled not only simpler maintenance but greater capacity, as well.
Partnership Beyond the Quote
These examples illustrate a core principle at Gemini: when we see opportunities for cost savings, we always explore them with our customers. Whether you need a metal fabrication company or a custom machine builder, our engineers are ready to think deeply about your project and find potential cost savings.
Request a quote today to see the difference engineering support can make!