When you’re producing a product, you’re faced with a plethora of decisions. You have to think about the costs of manufacturing and how to keep them low while still getting a high-quality finished product. You also have to think about who you’ll work with to create your product.
For example, you might outsource manufacturing of your low injection molding production to a company in China so that you can cut costs and improve efficiency.
One of the big decisions you’re going to face and maybe you don’t even realize how significant it is, is what type of material to use. Material is going to determine much of the quality of your product, but also your cost.
You have more options than ever before in terms of manufacturing materials as well.
The following are some key considerations when you’re choosing a manufacturing material for a product.
Look at Material Specifications
The specifications of your product and product design can be helpful when you’re considering the right materials for your project. Similarly, knowing the material specifications of the raw materials themselves is useful too.
When you look at the core features of raw material, it can sometimes be easier in the evaluation process.
If you do go with raw material, you’ll likely find your production timelines and your expenses in terms of production itself are lower because raw materials are easier and they also product fewer leftovers.
When you go into the process of choosing a production material, try to let go of any old ideas you have and start with a fresh slate. You may be surprised at what you discover and what could work well for the project that you would have otherwise ignored.
What Are the Most Important Features of Your Product?
When you designed your product, what did you hope it would ultimately achieve above all else? What makes it distinctive, and what is going to allow it to be highly appealing to your targeted customers?
Keep this in mind when you’re choosing a material. You may not think one has to do with the other, but that’s not the case.
For example, if durability is your top priority and your differentiating feature, then you want a similarly durable material.
Along with durability, when it comes to function, you’re going to want to think about life span, aesthetics, and whether your design is driven by cost or performance.
What Environment Will the Product Be In?
Put yourself into the mindset of the average person using your product. What environment is it most likely going to be in, the majority of the time? If it’s an outdoor product, you have to factor in considerations like corrosion and chemical interactions as well as the need for protective finishes.
If it’s a primarily indoor product that will be used in climate-controlled environments, this may be less important to you.
Something else to keep in mind—is your product going to be part of something larger? For example, is it a vehicle part that is just one small component in a much larger product? If so, you have to think about longevity and the timeline of the material you’re choosing because you don’t want a product that shows signs of age or fails before the other components it works alongside.
What Industry Requirements or Regulations Do You Need to Adhere To?
Depending on what type of product you’re manufacturing and what industry you’re in, there may be larger things to keep in mind, such as industry requirements and regulations. If your product falls into a regulated category and your material doesn’t meet guidelines, it could be the end of your company.
Think about legal requirements and any special needs that will be incorporated into your product design. You also have to think about whether or not the material you use might require specialized manufacturing.
Supply Chain Implications
Your product supply chain is significantly affected by your choice of materials. If you want an efficient and streamlined supply chain, you should avoid specialized materials. You should go with common and widely available options.
Also, think about where it’s coming from in terms of where it’s manufactured from and also where it will ship from. If you do go with raw material, while there can be advantages is the additional work needed to get those materials ready for production going to be problematic?
Finally, are you going to multiple vendors to get your material needs met and if so, is that inherently going to mean you need specialized manufacturing?
