With so many forging companies, it’s tough to know where to turn when you need the right closed die forging for your needs. In this article, we will discuss a few helpful tips when choosing a forging company so you can keep these thoughts in mind when it’s time to make a decision on a manufacturer.
THE REPUTATION OF THE FORGING COMPANY
If you’re in the metal fabricating business, ask your peers what they know about certain closed die forgers. You can also look for online reviews. A forging company that gets results and offers not only high-quality products but also a track record of support becomes known for its excellent customer service.
Good companies ask questions and want to understand your needs. They’ll even suggest a completely different type of manufacturing process if they feel it will suit your needs better than their own forging process. Look for honesty, integrity and follow-up. Don’t choose the company that only promises fast
results……choose one that has proven itself to be accurate, thorough, trustworthy and one who is available for questions and concerns.
CERTICIFATIONS OF FORGING COMPANIES
Look for forging companies that meet the latest and highest industry standards. These companies will stay current with certifications. Certification proves to current and potential customers that the company strives for and maintains the highest standards in the industry.
Forging companies should have certifications such as ISO 9001:2015 which shows customers that a quality management system is in place. To be ISO certified, requires continuous internal and external audits and inspections.
WHAT’S THE LEAD TIME?
Every component has different manufacturing needs as do customers. It’s important to remember that the engineering design time to develop tooling is a detailed and lengthy process. A credible company will provide a lead time for samples and productions. Lead time can also be affected by the alloy and diameter of that material.
If a forger is not willing to provide lead times, you should ask yourself will this company really meet my needs.
HOW MUCH WILL IT COST?
The big question, right? How much is a forged part going to cost? Unfortunately, that question is impossible to answer until you discuss your part with a forger. Keep in mind, the process is very detailed meaning your choice of material, press type, size of part and how many parts are produced in a production run will all affect price.
As you ask about price, make sure you understand the end-use requirements of your part. Compare prices between several manufacturers along with their certifications, lead times and customer service record. Cutting corners when choosing a forging company can cost you time and money.
The company you choose should have APQP (Advanced Product Quality Planning) in place to review the feasibility of producing your part to print. The APQP process aids in helping the forging company understand your requirements therefore giving a more accurate price.
THINK LONG-TERM
If you are a business that needs forged components, it’s essential to think long-term about your relationship with a forging company. Yes. You need parts, but you also need a company that will be there for questions, concerns and possible issues that need to be addressed. A good company has a reputation for immersing itself into your business to understand all of your needs.
Companies that simply manufacture and sell with no follow-up are the ones to avoid. A forging company that seeks to be involved by asking questions, stating their concerns and checking in to make sure their parts are made to print are the best ones to choose.
At Cerro Fabricated Products, we believe in a lifetime partnership with our customers. This is our goal with each and every customer.