As a custom metal fabricator specializing in prototypes and low-volume production, Approved Sheet Metal has the in-house experience and capabilities to turn many parts around quickly. For eligible flat laser-cut parts, we may even be able to deliver parts to your place of business within 24 hours.
While we always try to fabricate and deliver parts as quickly as possible, not all parts are eligible for quick-turn production. How quickly we can build and ship your parts depends primarily on the manufacturing requirements-including the selected material, outside processing, and inspection needs-as well as our shop’s current capacity.
What Do We Mean by Quick Turn?
Although “quick turn” refers to an expedited manufacturing path, there isn’t a standard lead time for this service. For some parts, quick-turn eligible means same-day shipment; for others, it may mean multiple days. To determine the exact timeframe, we must evaluate the part and look at the full expedited manufacturing path based on the part, processes, material availability, and our shop’s current capacity.
A part may be small, but if it calls for a complex manufacturing route, it may take substantially longer than a larger, simpler part. In other words, it’s the part’s actual manufacturing requirements that ultimately determine timing.
How We Evaluate Quick-Turn Eligibility
Before we commit to a ship date, we must evaluate the part requirements to see whether it’s eligible for quick-turn fabrication and, second, to determine what quick turn realistically means for that particular part.
Flat Laser-Cut Parts and Same-Day Shipment
Straightforward flat parts have the quickest route from RFQ to shipment, which can make them eligible for same-day shipment. To qualify, parts must have a simple flat laser-cut geometry that is 48″ by 48″ or smaller. The following must also be true:
- We have the required material in stock
- There are no additional fabrication or finishing operations beyond laser cutting and standard deburring, and no outside processing dependencies
- We receive production-ready files during the RFQ process with no pending clarifications or changes to the drawing or model
- The quantity allows programming, cutting, deburring, and inspection to fit into that day’s schedule
- The order is placed by 10 a.m. Eastern
While standard deburring and inspection are part of this process, parts with tight tolerances, special inspection or documentation requirements, or extensive deburring, edge finishing, or etching may not qualify for same-day shipment. There isn’t a fixed quantity or tolerance cutoff; we evaluate these requirements together based on the total processing time.
Even if a part doesn’t qualify for same-day shipment, it may still be eligible for another expedited timeline.
Formed Parts, Hardware, Weldments, and Assemblies
The more operations a part needs, the more scheduling and completion dependencies it creates. For example, a part that requires forming will need press brake work, and we must evaluate bend count, sequencing, tooling, accessibility, and setups. Similarly, a part requiring hardware depends on hardware availability, quantity, and accessibility, as well as the time it takes to insert the hardware. Weldments add fit-up and welding, while assemblies may require multiple components to be completed before final assembly can begin.
When we determine whether a part is quick-turn eligible and estimate the timeframe for completion, we’re not just evaluating individual dependencies, but the complexity of each step.
How Manufacturing Requirements Affect Quick-Turn Potential
| Part / Requirement | Typical Quick-Turn Potential | What Can Extend Lead Time |
|---|---|---|
| Flat laser-cut parts | Highest | Material availability, quantity, deburring, tight tolerances |
| Formed parts | High | Bend count, difficult geometry, tooling, multiple setups |
| Hardware insertion | Moderate to high | Hardware availability, quantity, accessibility |
| Weldments | Moderate | Component count, welding time, fixtures, cosmetic requirements |
| Finished parts | Varies | Outside processor availability, finish specification |
| Assemblies | Varies | Multiple components, hardware, welding, finishing, assembly |
Tolerances, Inspection, and Documentation
While every part order goes through our standard inspection process, some parts require additional reporting and documentation work that adds time to the process. Tight tolerances and extensive edge finishing can add processing and inspection time to ensure parts meet specifications.
Please include these details in the original RFQ so we can quote the job accurately from the start. If we receive these details later, it may impact the production timeline.
Quantity and Current Capacity
Although quantity is helpful, it alone doesn’t determine whether a part is quick-turn eligible, as creating 10 simple flat parts looks very different from creating 10 complex weldments. In addition to evaluating quantity and part complexity, we must also check whether all required departments and resources can complete their portion of the job within the requested window.
How Material Availability and Finishing Affect Timing
Even when the part is straightforward, two dependencies can significantly affect the fabrication schedule.
Material Availability
ASM maintains a list of on-the-shelf materials, as well as those that require a one-day lead time. If there is some flexibility in your part’s material, you might want to reference this list before submitting your RFQ.
Finishing and Outside Processing
Powder coating, anodizing, plating, silk-screening, and other finishing requirements all add to the time it takes us to fabricate and ship a part. That’s not to say that finishing is incompatible with quick-turn parts, but we do need to consider it before committing to a date. When outside processing is required, we also depend on the processor’s availability and schedule.
When finishing requirements are provided with the initial RFQ, we can determine the processing timelines from the start and build those into the fabrication timeline.
What to Include in an Urgent RFQ
When you need your parts yesterday, one of the best things you can do is provide our team with a complete, accurate RFQ package from the start. When the information is clear and we have everything we need from the get-go, we can provide an accurate quote and start on your parts with fewer rounds of questions and clarifications.
Here is what we need to get started:
- A current 3D model and drawing, with revisions clearly identified
- The specific material, along with alloy, temper (where relevant), and thickness
- The total order quantity, as well as how many parts you need by the urgent deadline
- A comprehensive view of all operations, including finishing, hardware, welding, and assembly requirements
- Quality specifications such as tolerances, critical dimensions, inspection requirements, certifications, or documentation that must accompany parts
- The requested delivery date and location, with a clear indication of whether your deadline refers to shipment or arrival
When submitting your RFQ package, ask yourself whether our estimating team will be able to understand the entire deliverable and the urgent requirement without another information exchange. When time is of the essence, the answer to that question should always be yes (though we’re always happy to answer questions or offer DFM advice!).
Where Flexibility Can Help
Sometimes the specifications are the specifications and substitutions simply aren’t possible. But especially when you need a quick turnaround on your sheet metal parts, being open to other materials, finishes, or fabrication options can open up another expedited route.
Before submitting your RFQ, consider whether alternate in-stock materials or thicknesses would work for your parts, or whether a different or deferred finish would be acceptable for this order. You might also consider relaxing noncritical tolerances, removing unnecessary secondary operations, or requesting a smaller, expedited initial part quantity (with the balance following on a normal schedule, if feasible).
When we know there’s some flexibility in your request, we can keep that in mind when determining the quickest route to getting you your parts. You must approve any changes to your design or specifications before we proceed.
What Makes ASM Well Suited for Quick-Turn Work
Getting parts out the door quickly depends on how smoothly they move through the shop. Each operation takes time, and so does waiting for the next one to begin. At ASM, our programming resources, material inventory, equipment, and experienced team help us coordinate that work and reduce unnecessary delays.
Our fiber laser cutting equipment supports fast processing of flat components, while our forming, hardware insertion, welding, and assembly capabilities allow more involved parts to continue through our shop. Keeping these core operations in-house gives us greater control over scheduling than coordinating with a different supplier for each step.
For a part that requires multiple operations, that coordination can be just as important as how quickly we can cut the initial flat. We look at the complete manufacturing path so we can plan how the job will move through production. When material procurement or outside processing is required, we account for those dependencies before committing to a date.
Need your sheet metal parts quickly? Send us your RFQ, along with your current files, complete requirements, and the date you need parts in hand. If only part of the order is urgent or you’re open to alternatives, let us know that too. We’ll evaluate the job and work with you to determine the quickest achievable route to getting you your parts.