Businesses, corporations, or organizations that may need or may be considering custom metal fabrication for an upcoming project often ask — how long will it take? There are a lot of factors that go into consideration when answering that question that include the design process, material availability, design complexity, and the volume of production.
All of these factors contribute to the lead time for a custom metal fabrication project and lead time is defined as the amount of time from initiation to completion of a project or process. If you have a custom metal fabrication project you need completed, you may be asking — what is the average lead time for custom metal fabrication? P&D Metal Works in Neenah, WI may be able to help.
What Factors Impact Lead Time in Custom Metal Fabrication?
Lead times can be difficult to estimate when it comes to custom metal fabrication due to the variety of factors that can and will impact lead times. With the Amazon Effect, many customers expect projects to be completed and delivered within a short time frame — but that is not always possible with custom metal fabrication. The average lead time for a custom metal fabrication project can range from a few days with smaller projects to a few months with more complex large scale projects based on a variety of factors.
Here is a better look at a few of the factors that may impact custom metal fabrication projects:
Design Complexity
Do you need help with the design process of your metal fabrication project? Is it a complex design? The complexity of your design will impact lead time with additional time needed to create a design blueprint, setup time for multiple machines, and multiple manufacturing steps. The more complex the design is, the longer the lead time will be. This part of the process can be extended if the design requires multiple approvals or blueprint revisions.
Availability of Materials
Does the metal fabricator have the materials you need in stock? Will they have to order additional materials? Does your project require specialized materials? The availability of materials for your metal fabrication project and how you choose to finish the material will have an impact on lead time, making it important to consider what materials and finishes you will use for your project.
Size and Quantity
The size and quantity of your project may be the most important factor in determining lead time. Large projects with multiple parts or components will take longer to design and manufacture when compared to single-part projects and smaller designs. By extension, the number of completed products you order will impact lead time. An extended run of smaller fabrication projects may take additional lead time when compared to a larger, simpler project — like a custom sign for your business.
Location
Lead time may include the time it takes to deliver or install a custom-fabricated project and when you look at those factors, location is important to consider. This is where a local metal fabricator may benefit you and your company with shorter delivery times — not to mention lower delivery costs — and when you choose a local metal fabricator, you can expect shorter times for installation.
READ MORE: What Are the Finishing Options for Metal Fabrication?
What is the average lead time for custom metal fabrication? This is a complex question to answer due to the many factors that impact lead time — but we hope that this overview has helped answer some of your questions. Contact P&D Metal Works in Neenah, WI today to learn more about our metal fabrication processes and capabilities!
