Mechanical parts subcontracting in China: Clarifying the specifications, a matter of critical importance
Clarifying the specifications – The most crucial step in outsourcing mechanical parts stands within the comprehensive preparation of the specifications. When sourcing parts in very competitive countries such as China, the differences between standards, and the language barrier makes it a vital stage, where approximation can end up to disastrous results, leading you into taking poor decisions when choosing your supplier, when estimating the unit price or when carrying on samples or batch production.
The lack of technical specifications is often considered as a freedom you give to your supplier, thus allowing him to select a cheaper manufacturing process, which may produce non-conform parts. Clear and completed specifications for a start will provide you with:
- A correct estimation of the unit price for your product, by choosing the right material and the right process.
- An efficient and quick selection for the highest bidder.
- Choosing a reliable factory, a partner that will understand the technical and functional requirements of your product.
- A complete technical pre-study, making possible the correct choices for the production range.
- A useful validation procedure for the samples and first batch production, with relevant key-points to verify the choices made for material and process.
In some cases, the design department and the purchase department of the buyer are not fully aware of the specificities of each type of process, such as casting, mecano-welding, heat and surface treatments, etc. It is very important that your subcontractor or sourcing partner is fully qualified to support you at this stage, by being a force for bringing forward proposals, by cooperating with the designer or the technical department when wrapping up the specifications. For example, the subcontractor must be able to guide you in choosing the right levels of the right standards, taking in consideration the final use of the part and its functional requirements.
At KIREX TECHNO, the experience of our project managers enables us to find the right solution for you, by suggesting modifications or adaptations of your specifications at an early stage. The analysis starts as soon as we receive your blueprints, so that the quotation we send you reflects the real level of requirements. Our team includes qualified mechanical engineers, putting to use there experience in areas such as casting, forging, mecano-welding, in fields such as construction machinery, agricultural machinery, wear parts, hydraulic components, lifting systems, garage equipment, etc.