One DFM catch, 33% less machining time

An air-quality sensor manufacturer's stainless rods called for deep tapped holes. Our DFM review showed the depth could be reduced at full strength — cutting machining time by a third.

THE PROBLEM

What the customer brought us

An air-quality sensor manufacturer needed 36" × 1/2" stainless steel rods, drilled and tapped. The print specified a tapped hole depth far deeper than the fastener engagement required — and in stainless, every extra thread is slow, tool-wearing work. Priced as drawn, the customer would have paid for machining time that added nothing to the part.

WHAT WE DID

How we built it

During quoting, our DFM review flagged the hole depth. Thread engagement beyond roughly 1.5× the fastener diameter adds no practical joint strength — the first threads carry the load. We showed the customer the numbers, they agreed, and we revised the depth on the print before cutting a single chip.

THE RESULT

What the customer got

Machining time dropped 33%, the price dropped with it, and the parts perform identically. This is what DFM review — included with every parts order — is for: we flag the features that drive cost before they cost you anything.

DFMStainless SteelMachiningCost Reduction
Material
Stainless steel
Size
36" × 1/2" rods
Operations
Drill + tap
DFM change
Reduced tapped hole depth
Result
33% less machining time
Strength
Full joint strength maintained

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