The Hidden Bottleneck in Your Product Launch
Leave a CommentThe Metal Parts You Don’t Notice Until They Stop You
Every product launch starts the same.
Momentum is strong. Teams are aligned. Boxes get checked.
Plastics? Quoted.
Circuit boards? Tested.
Packaging? Approved.
Then the metal becomes an issue. That is when timelines start to slip.
A bracket is delayed. A housing does not fit. The powder coat must be sent off to a third party. Suddenly, your launch schedule is off track, and no one saw it coming.
It is not the flashy components that cause the biggest delays. It is the essential, overlooked elements like sheet metal, stamped parts, welded assemblies, and surface finishes. The parts everyone assumes will just be there. Until they are not.
Why Metal Delays Happen
Design Changes
Stamping is fast once it starts running. . If your design changes mid-process, you may lose days–or even weeks!
Too Many Handoffs
Laser cutting. Bending. Welding. Finishing.
Each time a part moves to another vendor, you add risk. Outsourced finishing means extra logistics and more delays.
Tight Tolerances Slow Down Production
Precision matters, but tight tolerances mean slower setups, more inspections, and highly-skilled operators. CNC machining can handle it, but it is not instant.
Finishing Can Kill a Schedule
Powder coating or painting looks simple on paper. In reality, it requires ovens, inspections, and occasional rework. When finishing fails, it often stalls an entire project.
How US Metal Crafters Keeps You On Track
We have eliminated unnecessary handoffs by offering every major service in-house:
- Laser cutting with both 3kW, 8kW, and 15kW fiber machines
- CNC machining including milling, turning, and EDM
- Welding and assembly performed by skilled technicians and robotic welders
- Powder coating completed on-site for full control
- Quality assurance backed by 3D scanning
Fewer delays. Tighter control. Clear accountability.
What Manufacturers Can Do to Avoid Metal Delays
Think about metal components early
Do not leave brackets, enclosures, or frames to the end. Address them at the start.
Prototype smart
Use testing to catch coating and fit issues before they affect production.
Ask the right questions
What is the lead time?
Is finishing handled in-house? What happens if the design changes?
Bottom Line
Metal may not seem like a priority at first. But as the project advances, it often becomes the deciding factor in staying on schedule. That’s why choosing a dependable, all-in-one metal fab shop is critical to your project success.
Work With a Partner That Keeps You Moving
US Metal Crafters is built for product teams that cannot afford to slip. We keep all critical services in one place, from raw material to finished part. Contact us to get your project started.
No excuses.
No finger pointing.
Just parts delivered on time.
US Metal Crafters. The Only Metal Crafter You Need.