3、 Production and quality inspection: eliminate the scrapping of semi-finished products
Key node acceptance
For sheet metal parts with high precision requirements (such as electronic casings and mechanical structural components), it is recommended to conduct phased acceptance after cutting, bending, and surface treatment, with a focus on checking:
Cutting: Edge burrs and dimensional tolerances from laser cutting/CNC cutting;
Bending: bending angle, consistency of R-angle, and deformation of the sheet metal;
Surface treatment: coating thickness, adhesion, no scratches/bubbles. Discover problems and stop losses in a timely manner to avoid bulk rework.
Small batch ‘customization’ trap
Some suppliers may use “universal molds” instead of “customized solutions” to reduce costs, resulting in finished products that cannot meet special requirements (such as non-standard hole positions and irregular bending). It is necessary to confirm in advance whether the supplier is willing to invest specialized tooling for small batch orders, and to stipulate in the contract that “the supplier shall bear the cost of rework for accuracy deviations caused by universal molds”.
4、 Cost and Contract: Locking in ‘Hidden Expenses’
Contract terms’ no loopholes’
Clear agreement:
Acceptance criteria (based on drawing tolerances and the national standard GB/T 13914-2008 “Metal Coating”);
Payment method (recommended “3-4-3” mode: 30% prepayment, 40% payment before shipment, 30% payment after acceptance);
Liability for breach of contract (compensation of 0.5% of the total order amount per day for delayed delivery, full refund for substandard quality, and responsibility for rework costs).
Logistics and after-sales “full coverage”
Small batch orders are usually shipped by express delivery/logistics, and the responsibility for transportation damage needs to be confirmed (the supplier is responsible for packaging reinforcement, and any damage during transportation will be reissued by the supplier). Simultaneously agree on the “after-sales response time limit” (such as providing solutions within 24 hours for quality issues and completing returns and exchanges within 3 days).
Summary: The core of small batch sheet metal processing for start-up enterprises is “detail control”. From clear demand, supplier screening to production acceptance, every link needs to avoid the three major risks of “fuzzy communication, low price trap, and hidden costs”. It is recommended to prioritize selecting “small batch friendly” suppliers (such as small-scale factories specializing in CNC/sheet metal customization), and control the rework rate within 5% through phased acceptance and contract lock responsibility, ensuring a balance between cost and efficiency.