A company can often cut metal part costs and lead times simply
by modifying an existing part specification, or changing the
procedures by which it is manufactured, tested or shipped.
Even the simplest material change or process modification
has helped many Scot Forge customers realize significant savings.
Below are just a few examples.
Product Specification Type:
Previous Problems:
Thermal Treatment
Past practices on a customer
part called for normalizing, quenching, and double
tempering. These practices ran up costs and production
times.
Previous requirements on a customer application
called for meeting both a minimum tempering temperature
and a hardness range on certain parts. This often
resulted in a requenching operation, which lengthened
lead times.
Modified Solution:
By eliminating the normalizing and second tempering
operations which were unnecessary, the customer
saved over 7¢ per pound, as well as 1 to 2 weeks'
lead time.
Changing the temperature by just 25°F not only
allowed Scot Forge to meet the specification the
first time, but also shorten the lead time.
Product Specification Type:
Previous Problems:
Material Grade
A customer was looking for cost reduction assistance with a gear application which needed to meet Brinell requirements and was formerly specified as 4340 material.
A customer was previously specifying V.A.R. material
for a pinion shaft. Lead times were unacceptably
long, and the material costs were extremely high.
Modified Solution:
The
substitution of 4150 for 4340 lowered part costs
by 10%, while still meeting minimum Brinell requirements.
By switching from V.A.R. Material to AMS 2304,
lead times were reduced by months, and base material
costs were reduced by over 45% without sacrificing
product quality.
Product Specification Type:
Previous Problems:
Marking/Stamping
For
part identification purposes, a customer previously
specified elaborate markings on each part, then
routinely machined them off upon receipt.
Modified Solution:
Now,
a simple purchase order and heat number identifies
each part, saving time and excess marking costs.
A copy of Successful Cases of Modified Specifications is available in pdf format. To view pdfs, you will need Acrobat Reader. Download a free copy if needed.
Successful Cases of Modified Specifications
