Secondary Machining Enables Small-Batch Product Modifications

Background Information

Another customer came to Yumoto Electric with an existing molded component that needed a shape modification to meet new design requirements. The necessary change was minor, but only a small quantity of parts was required, making it uneconomical to produce a new mold.

Problem Statement

The customer’s challenge was finding a manufacturing method suitable for small-lot production that could still deliver precision results. Traditional molding wasn’t cost-effective, and full production from raw materials would likely exceed both budget and schedule.

Solution Implementation

Yumoto Electric evaluated the possibility of secondary machining (modifying the already-molded part) rather than producing new ones. After receiving the sample product, the team confirmed that the required shape change could be achieved through precision machining.

However, the part’s unique geometry made it difficult to hold on standard machines. To solve this, Yumoto Electric engineers designed a custom fixture specifically for this part, allowing stable and accurate machining.

Results

With the help of the custom fixture, Yumoto Electric successfully performed secondary machining on the molded parts, achieving the new shape specifications without creating a new mold. The customer benefited from a fast, flexible, and cost-effective small-lot production process, minimizing both lead time and expense while maintaining precision and quality.