Why is Tolerance Important in Product Engineering & Manufacturing?

Working with clients for more than 35 years means we have pretty much seen it all. It’s not unusual to get what we call a “napkin drawing” for a potential product, one that lacks detail, measurements, etc. Our talented product design team is often able to take a simple drawing and work closely with the client to create a finished product that everyone can be proud of.

After all, the best solutions are built on strong foundations.

Tolerance is the acceptable range for a physical dimension, which is determined by the product designer based on form, fit and function of a part. At Axenics, we have tight tolerance expectations in order to deliver high-quality, safe products to our customers. Tolerances are pivotal in the manufacturing process because they will determine how well a part will fit in the final piece and how reliable the final product will be.

We are often able to tackle vague concepts for our customers, but a challenge arises when we see differences in tolerance drawings. When working with engineers outside of Axenics, we sometimes experience the engineer not changing the tolerance when going from a machined part to a welded part – and there will be a difference in tolerance there that is not reflected in the computer-aided-design (CAD) drawing provided.

Fittings for a part that is welded have their own tolerance, whereas parts that are machined by a CNC machine, for example, will not have the same tolerances, because the fittings are not necessary with a bent part.

Axenics product engineering services staff is highly trained on AutoCAD and SolidWorks 3D product design software. Our team can work with your designers and engineers to ensure the proper tolerances are updated. This will save time and money by reducing inspection time and manufacturing do-overs.  

When considering a contract metal fabricator, tolerances should be at the top of your selection criteria. Axenics’ team of manufacturers is meticulous in achieving perfection when it comes to tolerances. Plus, by handing every aspect of your product manufacturing in-house, there is less opportunity for mistakes. Fewer hands, fewer mistakes.

By working with Axenics from the start of your project, easy mistakes in tolerances can be avoided. Our team of product design experts specialize in helping customers in a variety of industries to go from the idea stage to an actual product.

Our process is simple:

• Developing the Concept: You should be involved in every stage of production. We will meet as many times as necessary to get your concept on the correct path.
• Establishing a Process: With your input, we will create a working manufacturing process to build your product in an efficient manner. We ensure our process solves your challenges – and that our solutions will exceed your expectations.
• Validating the Design: Once the design process is confirmed, we work with you to get the final product to your exact specifications, going over the components and materials to be used to build it, as well as how it will be manufactured.
• Production and Testing: We develop a prototype. Then, the completed design is produced and assembled at our facility according to your specifications.

To reiterate, a simple — but potentially expensive — mistake, like differences in tolerance drawings, can be circumvented by working with a skilled product design team from start to finish. Something else to keep in mind is that we also have great relationships with our vendors, which helps us to solve problems like a difference in tolerances in a timely and economical way.

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