Value Engineering FAQ

What Is Value Engineering?

Value engineering is a structured approach to improving a part’s function, manufacturability, and cost efficiency. It looks beyond the print to evaluate materials, tolerances, tooling, and the overall metal forming process. The goal is to deliver the required performance at the lowest total cost, not just the lowest piece price.

How Does Value Engineering Apply to Metal Stamping?

In precision metal stamping, small design changes can have a big impact. Adjusting wall thickness, corner radii, or material grade can improve formability, reduce scrap, and extend tool life. This applies across progressive die stamping, transfer press stamping, and deep draw metal forming.

When Should Value Engineering Start?

The best results come when value engineering starts early. As a deep draw stamping company, we encourage collaboration during part design. Early collaboration allows our engineers to align the design with the realities of different stamping processes, avoiding rework later. That said, value engineering services can still uncover improvements for existing stamped metal parts.

What Role Does Part Material Selection Play?

Material choice for custom stamped parts affects strength, formability, corrosion resistance, and cost. During deep draw stamping, selecting the right material grade (steel, titanium, aluminum, brass, copper, or bronze) can prevent splitting and thinning. Value added engineering often includes evaluating alternate materials that meet performance needs while lowering total cost.

What Are Value Added Services & Why Do They Matter?

Value added services are secondary operations performed in-house to streamline production. These may include threading, crimping, boring, laser and resistance welding, ultrasonic cleaning, and deburring. Keeping these steps under one roof reduces handling, shortens lead times, and improves consistency in custom metal formed parts.

How Does Automated Assembly Fit Into Value Engineering?

Fully automated assembly is a powerful value add for high-volume programs. Integrating assembly directly with the metal forming operation reduces labor, improves repeatability, and lowers per-part cost. It also ensures parts arrive ready for installation, not further processing.

Can Value Engineering Improve Quality & Reliability?

Yes. Value engineering in manufacturing often improves quality by simplifying designs and reducing process variation. Non-destructive testing, controlled part finishing, and in-process inspections help verify that deep drawn, progressive, and transfer press stamped parts meet demanding specifications.

How Does Value Engineering Reduce Total Cost?

Cost savings come from multiple areas: reduced material usage, fewer forming stages, longer tool life, and less outside processing. By combining precision metal stamping with value added services, manufacturers avoid hidden costs that often appear after production begins.

What Industries Benefit Most from Value Engineering?

Any industry producing high-volume or performance-critical components can benefit. Automotive, EV, alternative energy, HVAC, plumbing, and lawn equipment manufacturers regularly use value engineering services to improve durability, manage cost, and ensure scalability.