Are there cost advantages in combining die casting and arc anodizing at one supplier?
Significant Cost and Efficiency Advantages of Integrated Manufacturing
Yes, there are substantial cost and operational advantages to combining Aluminum Die Casting and Arc Anodizing at a single supplier. This integrated approach, a core part of our One-Stop Service, creates synergies that reduce total cost, shorten lead times, and enhance final quality.
Elimination of Logistical and Handling Costs
Consolidating processes internally removes multiple cost centers associated with a multi-vendor supply chain. This includes:
Reduced Freight and Administration: No need to ship raw castings to an external anodizer and back, eliminating shipping costs, customs paperwork for international shipments, and the associated administrative overhead.
Elimination of Intermediate Packaging: Parts can move directly from the casting and machining cells to the surface treatment line without the need for protective packaging to prevent damage in transit.
Lower Risk of Damage/Loss: Reduced handling and transportation between separate facilities minimizes the risk of parts being lost, damaged, or corroding in transit, which can lead to costly reworks.
Optimized Design and Process Synergy
The most significant cost savings often come from upfront engineering and process optimization that is only possible under one roof.
Optimal Alloy Selection: Our die castings Engineering team can select the most cost-effective alloy for the entire process from the start, such as specifying A360 over A380, knowing it will yield a higher-quality anodized coating with less process time and lower reject rates.
Integrated Process Flow: The sequencing of Post Machining is perfectly synchronized with the anodizing preparation. This prevents bottlenecks and ensures parts are machined and handled in a state ideal for coating, reducing pre-treatment costs and improving first-pass yield.
Root Cause Analysis and Accountability: If a coating issue arises, the integrated team can quickly determine if the root cause was in the casting structure, the machining, or the anodizing process itself. This rapid problem-solving prevents lengthy disputes between separate suppliers and gets production back on track faster.
Reduced Total Lead Time and Inventory Carrying Costs
By managing the entire workflow internally, we can offer a significantly shorter and more predictable total lead time compared to a multi-supplier chain. This reduction in production cycle time lowers the client's inventory carrying costs and enables a faster time-to-market, which is a critical competitive advantage.
