Tool and die makers fabricate fixtures, dies, molds, jigs, gauges, and tools, such as cutters, used in manufacturing. Their employees are often skilled artisans and craftspeople who work in close consultation with manufacturing engineers. The abilities of tool and die makers to meet specific needs vary widely, causing the search for an appropriate provider to be both confusing and time-consuming.
The following tips will help your business utilize the information from IndustryNet to identify tool and die service suppliers who will best fulfill your unique manufacturing requirements.
1. Specialization
Most businesses address particular industry sectors. It is important to find a tool and die maker whose specialization is compatible with yours. For example, if you produce bumpers or brackets for light trucks, a firm such as Superior Die, Tool, and Machine Company could be a good match for your needs. Their emergency assist program provides for the rapid start-up of lines producing those vehicle parts.
2. Range of services
While a vendor can create much of the tooling your business needs through methods like computerized numerical control (CNC), additional fabrication techniques such as welding may be necessary. A company like CGS Machine, with certified welders and a Certified Weld Inspector on site, can fulfill such specialized production demands.
3. Quality assurance
Most customers will tolerate very few rejects before searching for another source. To assure the integrity of your output, you must insist on the highest level of quality assurance from a supplier. Selecting one like Marion Die and Fixture, whose tools and dies are all extensively tested on the machinery of The Bradbury Group, ensures the reliability of the products the company provides.
4. Customization isn't always the answer
While custom components may be necessary to some types of production, it can be quicker, easier, and more cost effective to use off-the-shelf tools. Finding a supplier such as Southern Tool and Machine, which stocks 14,550 miniature and specialty cutting tools and has 160 product lines available for one-day shipping, can enable you to respond promptly to your clients' needs.
5. Timing is everything
Consistently meeting delivery dates is essential to growing and maintaining a customer base. One primary key to fulfilling your shipping deadlines is a supplier who adheres to a "Just in Time" philosophy and can meet your tooling needs on short notice. A company such as Cambron Engineering, with diverse machining capabilities and extensive experience supplying tooling for time sensitive industries, can enable your production team to meet the tightest schedules.
For more information
IndustryNet is a single resource that connects industrial buyers with suppliers. To connect with tool and die makers near you, as well as with 400,000+ U.S. industrial suppliers, visit IndustryNet. Here, you can obtain a quote, download catalogs, connect on social media, pinpoint a company's location, and more, all in one place and all for free. For more information start your search today. By employing IndustryNet's free tools to request quotes and information, you can be confident of making the best choice to fit your company's production needs.
