Parts Only
Rapid Manufacturing | Parts Only
At Formero, we specialise in assisting product development teams at every stage of their journey. Whether you’re in the initial phases of evaluating a prototype, preparing for an early product release or wanting to keep your production runs small and cost-effective, our services are designed to meet your needs efficiently and effectively. We offer the unique capability to produce prototype or low volume production parts in true production materials, ensuring that you can assess the functional and aesthetic qualities of your product before full-scale production. This approach not only accelerates the development process but also provides a reliable alternative for market testing and early releases.
Introducing the Parts Only Service
Our Parts Only service is designed for businesses seeking a cost-effective and quick solution for prototype, pre-production, and low volume production applications. With an average lead time of just 2 to 3 weeks, this service ensures that your parts are delivered promptly, allowing you to keep your project timelines on track.
Key Features of the Parts Only Service:
- Fast Turnaround: Parts are delivered within 2-3 weeks typical.
- Cost-Effective: No capital tooling outlay; insert manufacture amortised over first production run.
- Flexible Quantities: Ideal for production runs ranging from 20 to 1,000 shots.
- True Production Materials: Utilise a wide variety of Polymers, TPE’s and Silicone materials and colours.
- Surface Finishes: Choose from a broad range of surface finishes and textures.
- Additional Services: Options include painting, pad-printing, chroming, over-moulding, and insert-moulding.
Efficient and Cost-Effective Production
Our Parts Only service leverages pre-existing mould bases and precision steel tool inserts tailored to your CAD drawings. This approach significantly reduces costs while maintaining high-quality standards, making it an ideal choice for small to medium production runs. Depending on the design and usage, the service can handle production runs up to 5,000 shots, providing flexibility to scale as needed.
How It Works:
- Submit Your CAD Drawings: Start by sending us your detailed CAD files.
- Quotation and Project Management: Upon receiving your CAD drawings, our Melbourne-based team will review your project and provide a comprehensive quote. We will also handle all communications and coordination with our manufacturing facilities to ensure your project runs smoothly.
- Tooling Preparation: We use our library of mould bases and create custom steel tool inserts based on your specifications.
- Production and Delivery: Our efficient process ensures quick production and timely delivery of your parts.
The Finer Details
| Suitability | Prototype | Pre-production | Low volume Production |
| Part Size | Up to 400mm x 300mm x 200mm |
| Lead Time | 2 – 3 weeks typical |
| Moulding Type | Injection | Compression | Over-mould |
| Shot Life | Up to 5,000 |
| Minimum Order Quantities | Flexible (20 to 1,000) |
| Design Analysis | Parting Line Position | Gate Position | Ejector Pin Position |
| Surface Finishes | Smooth | Polished | Textured |
| Tooling Cost | Amortised over initial production |
| Part Materials | Wide variety of Polymers, TPE’s & Silicones |
| Additional Services | Painting | Pad Printing | Plating | Threaded Inserts | Packaging |
| Insert Storage | Inserts disposed after 1 year of zero use. |
| Payment Terms | Invoiced on shipment of parts (account holders). 50% deposit with balance prior to shipment (non-account holders). |
| Additional | Engineering changes possible | Potential additional charges for re-insertion after long periods of no use. |
Ready to speak with us?
If you have questions please feel free to contact us.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Our Parts Only service is ideal for rapid prototyping and short-run production. Through our experience in manufacturing Injection Moulded Parts we are able to provide high-quality parts quickly and affordably, using a library of mould bases and custom steel tool inserts based on your CAD drawings. This reduces the cost and order times.
The average lead time for our Parts Only service is 2 to 3 weeks, depending on the size and complexity of the order.
Our Parts Only service caters to production runs ranging from 20 to 1,000 shots. In some cases, depending on tool life and part design, we can achieve runs exceeding 5,000 shots.
We offer a wide variety of thermoplastic materials and colours. Additionally, we provide various surface finishes and textures, as well as services like painting, pad-printing, metalizing, over-moulding, and insert-moulding.
Our Melbourne-based team handles all communications and project management, ensuring seamless coordination with our manufacturing facilities in China. This approach combines local expertise with global production capabilities. It also ensures that you are receiving competitive pricing and high levels of quality control.
The Parts Only service is very cost-effective as it requires no capital tooling outlay and utilises existing pre-existing mould bases. You only pay for the parts produced, making it an affordable option for prototyping and short-run production. The cost of the insert to be manufactured is amortised over first production run.
The Parts Only service utilises Injection Moulding to produce high-quality parts. This method ensures precision and consistency, making it ideal for both prototyping and short-run production.
Parts Only is designed for rapid prototyping and short-run production, with no capital tooling outlay and quick delivery times. Our Parts Only service utilises Injection Tooling & Moulding to produce the end parts, but it focuses on smaller quantities and faster turnaround. Injection Tooling & Moulding, on the other hand, is typically used for high-volume production runs and requires a more substantial upfront investment in tooling.
