More and more manufacturing is an on-demand production model, commonly known as on-demand manufacturing. On-demand manufacturing is the production method that most manufacturers and customers tend to choose. This blog post will tell you about the definition, advantages, and differences of custom manufacturing from traditional manufacturing models.
What is on-demand manufacturing? It fits the customer’s current manufacturing needs and product quantity to the manufacturer’s production method.
This production concept is contrary to the mass production of the current traditional model. So, what are the characteristics and differences between custom manufacturing and mass production? Of course, to let you know more about custom manufacturing, there is related information about custom manufacturing waiting for you to explore.
On-Demand VS Traditional Manufacturing
Speaking of custom manufacturing, we have to mention the object of comparison to traditional manufacturing. What is Traditional Manufacturing? Traditional manufacturing primarily produces products using manufacturing techniques with limited productivity or manual operations. It frees manufacturers from traditional contact with customers limited to mail and phone calls.
Below is a detailed look at the pros and cons of on-demand and traditional manufacturing.
Advantages of on-demand manufacturing：
Customize Freely
On-demand manufacturing Customers submit production requirements to the manufacturer according to the products and quantities required for current production. It has free space for custom-made custom production businesses.
Unlimited Access
Through the online custom manufacturing platform, we provide customers with all-weather business access and order acceptance and improve the efficiency of business manufacturing for customers regardless of time and place.
Record-Keeping
The custom manufacturing service keeps record information of customer orders through the online platform, which is convenient for manufacturers to view or verify detailed manufacturing conditions and order requirements.
Tracking Transparency
Track the progress of on-demand orders through the custom manufacturing platform to provide customers with transparent and effective order feedback. To a certain extent, it is convenient for customers to manage orders and improve the reliability of transactions.
Cost-Effectiveness
custom manufacturing takes actual demand as the characteristic of the production method. It reduces unnecessary waste of production resources and inventory and improves cost efficiency to a certain extent.
Improve Innovation
Custom manufacturing changes traditional manufacturing technology and provides customers with the production of prototype designs. Provide opportunities for innovative products through prototyping products.
Development Opportunities
On-demand manufacturing allows small and medium-sized enterprises to have room to operate in terms of resources, technology, and output. It avoids the limited development of small and medium-sized enterprises due to initial investment.
Limitations Of On-Demand Manufacturing：
Production Limit
On-demand manufacturing has advantages in small-volume customization services. High-volume production scales can lead to high unit costs.
Design Scope
Although the customized conditions of custom manufacturing have flexible space, their product design is somewhat limited. Customers and manufacturers should consider the feasibility of custom manufacturing and processing according to actual manufacturing conditions.
Complex Management
On-demand orders come from different regions and countries, resulting in diverse logistics and production conditions. Manufacturers can face complex order issues in managing orders.
Cost Budget
On-demand manufacturing is somewhat more expensive than traditional manufacturing. Customers should communicate with the manufacturer about the production plan and details, and control a reasonable budget range.
Information Theft
Manufacturers of on-demand customized platforms need to verify their integrity and manufacturing capabilities. In the face of unscrupulous manufacturers, there is a risk of leakage of parts design ideas, technical information, specification details, and counterfeiting.
Advantages of Traditional Manufacturing:
Specification work
In traditional manufacturing, high-volume production will have standard operating procedures and operations. In terms of quality and precision, it will be more controllable than on-demand production.
Scale cost
Traditional manufacturing reduces unit cost through large-scale mass production, which is lower than custom manufacturing to a certain extent.
Limitations of Traditional Manufacturing:
Limited Design
Traditional manufacturing is to produce high-volume products with standard and consistent specifications. It is challenging for the feasibility of product design and customization.
Delivery Period
The mass production mode of traditional manufacturing takes a long time to work, which leads to the extension of the entire manufacturing cycle. In conventional manufacturing operations, it is necessary to strictly control the production process and pay attention to the delivery time.
Remaining stock
Traditional manufacturing needs to estimate the number of products to meet the expected demand with large quantities of specifications. And the high-volume scale creates waste from excess inventory and challenges in managing storage.
As a production mode, both custom manufacturing and traditional production have advantages and limitations. In the face of choice, choosing the most suitable production mode for the order business and improving production efficiency is essential. If you need, welcome to the Tirapid website for business inquiries.
What are the types of on-demand technologies and services?
The production requirements of on-demand orders matching the corresponding production technology can give full play to the customization characteristics of on-demand production products.
Here are a few production techniques and services for on-demand production:
CNC Machining
Numerically controlled machine tools are one of the technologies that enable the custom manufacturing of products with optimum precision. Its automated on-demand production saves time and cost for small batches and prototyping.
3D Printing
In on-demand production, one of the most used technologies for engineers to manufacture finished products is 3D printing. Additive manufacturing of on-demand products is not limited to manufactured product materials such as plastics, metals, and composites.
Sheet Metal Fabrication
Fabrication on demand Cutting, bending, and stamping is possible with rapid sheet metal fabrication. On-demand products under sheet metal work can achieve a tolerance of +/-0.001mm.
Surface Treatment
On-demand manufacturing According to the surface finish required by the customer, the corresponding treatment is carried out. It includes deburring, anodizing, painting, electroplating, powder coating, and polishing.
Laser Cutting
Laser cutting is a non-contact treatment of materials in on-demand production, and its surface can create clean and smooth wound surfaces. It provides breakage resistance when dealing with cutting problems of high-speed steel or aluminum.
Technology increases efficiency for on-demand production and speeds up lead times for companies. The above on-demand production techniques can bring different order results to your on-demand projects. Professional technology For different order situations, Tirapid recommends choosing the best technology within the budget.
What are the industrial applications of on-demand manufacturing?
Aerospace Industry
In the aerospace industry, which pursues tiny and precise parts, the commonly used production method is custom manufacturing. It is such as instrumentation components, impellers, and nuts. Meet complex custom manufacturing with CNC machining and prototyping.
Automobile Industry
Automotive enthusiasts often opt for custom manufacturing to design and customize parts. It is like automotive pistons, valve covers, and dashboard panel accessories. Satisfy both the vintage engine and new accessory designs with on-demand customization.
Medical Industry
The viability of custom manufacturing in the healthcare industry is high. Medical accessories made on demand include prosthetics, dentures, and hearing aids. Provide patients with the right medical products through the custom manufacturing medical components.
Consumer Electronics Industry
On-demand manufacturing has advantages for producing electronic products with unique design styles. It includes custom phone cases, phone lanyards, and computer screen protectors. It can quickly respond to market requirements and meet customers’ On-demand manufacturing has advantages for producing electronic products with unique design styles.
What is the working process of on-demand manufacturing?
Tirapid custom manufacturing platform provides customers with standard manufacturing processes throughout the year to improve customer satisfaction. The following is the custom manufacturing service process provided to customers:
Business Inquiry
Customers with customized requirements make business inquiries through the manufacturer of the custom manufacturing platform and make inquiries by sending CAD files and drawings.
Order Verification
The customer sends an order request to the manufacturer and communicates the details of the customization type, design, quantity, and so on. After confirming that the production order is manufacturable, the next step will be to check the details of the manufacturing issues.
Production Work
After checking the order, the manufacturer plans the manufacturing time. Carry out technical operations on product parts according to customer’s production requirements.
QC
Through real-time monitoring and quality inspection of the manufactured products by engineers, quality control and standard testing are carried out on the products.
Packing And Shipping
The manufacturer will label and package the finished parts, and complete the shipment task within the delivery deadline.
During this process, customers can track the products in real-time through the custom manufacturing platform, and contact the manufacturer if they have any doubts.
Choose Tirapid On-Demand Manufacturing Platform
The Tirapid CNC on-demand manufacturing platform provides on-demand services to customers in the United States, Canada, Germany, and other countries. Our automated order placement system offers companies unlimited custom manufacturing possibilities.
Tirapid experts provide rich material resources and complete workshop equipment for customers’ custom manufacturing orders. Your manufacturing needs are the development direction Tirapid follows. Contact Tirapid online for a surefire and cheap solution for your on-demand business.
Summarize
What is on-demand manufacturing? After reading this blog post, I believe you have got the best answer to this question.
The on-demand production model tests the feasibility of the order. And also considers whether a custom manufacturing platform has qualified response capabilities.
It uses drawing customization and sending design dimensions as a communication bridge, enabling OEMs to provide customers with standard-quality components for custom manufacturing. Contact Tirapid experts online for project consulting services for your on-demand manufacturing business.
FAQ
How does on-demand manufacturing save costs?
On-demand manufacturing saves costs in different ways. For example, on-demand services are manufactured based on actual needs.
Its significant advantage lies in the precise number of manufactured products. The number of products manufactured on demand avoids the cost of overproduction and reduces unnecessary waste.
The custom manufacturing provided by the Tirapid website can also save costs by optimizing resource supply chains and managing orders. Click on our platform to learn more.
What is the turnaround time for on-demand orders?
Made-to-demand orders are usually within seven days or even weeks. Different factors can cause the turnaround time to vary.
For example, to solve the production design, material supply, and technical support of on-demand orders. Tirapid experts recommend active communication with the manufacturer to confirm the actual turnaround time for your project.
Is my order suitable for on-demand manufacturing?
Your order should consider the feasibility of the production method according to the different factors of production.
It includes product quantity, complexity, material supply, and other factor. Please be sure to consider your order carefully before choosing a production method.
You can submit order inquiries to Tirapid online, and we will serve you at the fastest speed.
How to maintain quality control during on-demand manufacturing?
The first step is to consider the feasibility of the manufacturing-on-demand design and verify it. And the manufacturing process is monitored and inspected in real-time to ensure the accuracy and quality of the product.
Maintaining quality control requires careful examination of the details. Of course, you can ask Tirapid engineering experts about other ways to maintain quality control.
What is the difference between on-demand manufacturing and mass production?
On-demand manufacturing and mass production usually differ in the following places, including the purpose of manufacturing, quantity, and flexibility of order customization.
The purpose of mass production is to meet the production of the expected plan, while the purpose of custom manufacturing is to meet the actual needs.
Mass production is mainly large-scale, while the group of custom manufacturing is small and medium-sized customer orders. The finished product of mass production is consistent and standard, so customization is also less flexible than on-demand manufacturing.