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Helical Pin Guide — Cost Reduction by Design Optimization

Part name
Helical Pin Guide
Material
1.2083 / AISI 420
Volume
120 pcs / month
Surface finish
Ra 0.4 & Ra 1.6 zones

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建议内容:Before / After 3D 模型对比(等轴测 + 截面视图并排)
红色区域 = Ra 0.4 精密面  ·  黄色区域 = Ra 1.6 标准面

Original process
Ra 0.4 surface: Mirror EDM — slow, expensive, and the dominant cost driver at $38.75/pc
Ra 1.6 surface: CNC Turning only
Optimized
Redesigned process
Ra 0.4 surface: Slow Wire Cut with Angle — identical finish, no EDM setup cost
Ra 1.6 surface: CNC Turning + Milling
The Ra 0.4 specification is unchanged. Slow Wire Cut with Angle achieves the same surface quality on these geometry features — the process change is invisible to the functional performance of the part.

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建议内容:生产现场照片 — CNC 机台加工中 + 成品放置在夹具托盘的特写

$16,320
saved per year at 1,440 pcs / year
65.35% unit cost reduction
Before
After
Per part
$41.62 → $14.42
Per month
$2,081 → $721
Per year
$24,972 → $8,652
ProcessBefore (per pc)After (per pc)Change
Mirror EDM$38.75Eliminated
CNC Turning$2.87$3.89+35.5%
Slow Wire Cut w/ Angle$9.30Added
CNC Milling$1.23Added
Total per part$41.62$14.42−65.4%
Total 120 pcs / month$2,081$721−65.4%
Total 1,440 pcs / year$24,972$8,652−65.4%

When we quote your part, we’re not just pricing the drawing as-given. We look at the full process stack and flag wherever a geometry adjustment or process swap can hit the same spec at lower cost. That review is included in every quote — no consulting fee, no NDA required for a first look.

If you’re running a part that uses EDM for a precision surface, it’s worth a conversation. Slow Wire Cut handles a wider range of geometries than most buyers expect, and the cost difference is often significant at mid-to-high volumes.

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