Production of Stainless Steel Parts
SABNER manufactures small precision stainless steel parts using CNC bar turning, in accordance with customer documentation and requirements. The typical production range covers diameters of Ø0.5–12 mm and lengths of 1–150 mm, with an annual demand starting at 10,000 pieces per year per component. Each project undergoes a feasibility analysis, so manufacturability is confirmed for the specific part, material, and set of requirements.
Typical project scope
For which projects do we manufacture stainless steel parts?
SABNER’s offering is primarily intended for series-production projects involving small parts machined from bar stock based on customer documentation. The material alone does not determine whether a project is a good fit for the technology – geometry, dimensions, tolerances, quality requirements, and planned volume are also important factors.
Bar-turned parts:
components for which CNC turning can serve as the primary manufacturing technology.
Customer documentation:
production based on a 2D drawing, 3D model, specification, or approved sample – depending on the project stage.
Series production:
projects with an annual demand starting at 10,000 pieces per year per component.
Quality requirements:
projects in which dimensional, material, and inspection requirements must be clearly defined before series production begins.
Examples of stainless steel grades we machine
Below are examples of stainless steel grades with which SABNER has production experience. This list is not an exhaustive catalog of possibilities and does not replace an analysis of a specific project.
Different steel grade? We analyze each project individually
If the specified grade is not on the list, this does not automatically mean that the project cannot be carried out. We analyze the material, geometry, tolerances, planned volume, and quality requirements. Only on this basis do we confirm the feasibility of manufacturing the part.
What determines whether a stainless steel part can be manufactured?
The steel grade alone is not sufficient to confirm manufacturability. SABNER specializes in small parts machined from bar stock using CNC turning; therefore, before preparing a quote, we analyze the entire project, not just the material name.
Part geometry:
The part’s shape must be suitable for a series-production CNC bar-turning process.
Dimensions and tolerances:
We assess dimensional requirements and their implications for process preparation and inspection.
Stainless steel grade:
The material is one of the factors in the feasibility assessment and the selection of production parameters.
Annual demand:
The project should align with SABNER’s series-production model, starting at 10,000 pieces per year per component.
Quality and validation requirements:
We consider how to verify part compliance before production begins and during the production process.
What to Look for When Selecting a Stainless Steel Parts Supplier?
When qualifying a supplier, it is important to verify not only whether the company machines stainless steel, but also whether its technology, production model, and inspection methods are suitable for the specific project. For small parts produced in series, the following areas are particularly important.
Matching the technology to the part: The supplier should assess whether the part’s geometry and dimensions are compatible with its production process.
Experience with the material: It is worth verifying whether the supplier works with the required grade or is able to evaluate it as part of a feasibility analysis.
Pre-quote analysis: The quote should be based on the documentation, volume, and project requirements, not solely on a general description of the part.
Traceability and control: In a series-production project, it is important to define how the material, the First-Off, in-process production, and batch release are controlled.
Pre-series validation: If the project requires it, samples or a validation batch should be part of the preparation for the intended series production.
At SABNER, these areas are reviewed during the analysis and project launch phases. Confirmation of manufacturability always refers to specific documentation and customer requirements.
From Documentation to Stable Series Production
A series-production project goes through successive stages of preparation and inspection. Their exact scope depends on the requirements of the specific part, but the basic process includes a feasibility analysis, clarification of requirements, material inspection, First-Off, and series production with in-process inspections and batch release.
Project analysis. A feasibility analysis is performed before quotation to identify the project assumptions and risks.
Requirements and inspection plan. Once the project is accepted, the documentation is organized, the characteristics critical to the part’s function and quality are clarified, and an inspection plan is prepared based on the requirements and the process.
Material and traceability. Material is received with batch traceability and undergoes an incoming inspection before being released for production.
First-Off and series-production launch. After the process is prepared, the first part (First-Off) is produced. The measurement results form the basis for approving the start of series production or for making corrections.
Production, inspections, and batch release. During production, inspections are conducted according to the plan, and prior to shipment, the batch undergoes a final inspection and release.
If the project requires additional validation prior to series production, see also Validation Samples Prior to Series Production.
Quality Control for Stainless Steel Parts
The scope of inspection is tailored to the requirements of the specific project. The goal is to confirm the part’s compliance at successive stages of preparation and series production, taking into account the material, the first-off part, in-process inspections, and final inspection.
Material traceability:
The material batch is identified upon receipt, and the material undergoes an incoming inspection.
First-Off:
The first part is measured before approval for continued series production.
In-process inspections:
Inspections during production are conducted in accordance with the prepared inspection plan.
Final inspection:
A final inspection is performed in accordance with project requirements before the batch is released.
What Should You Submit for Project Analysis?
The basis for project evaluation is documentation and a set of requirements that allow us to understand the part and the production conditions. Depending on the stage of the project, you can submit a 2D drawing, a 3D model, a customer specification, or an approved sample.
It is also helpful to include the grade of stainless steel, the projected annual demand, and the quality and technical requirements relevant to the part. If the material is not on our sample list, we will include it in the feasibility analysis.
- 2D technical drawing or available manufacturing documentation;
- a 3D model, if available;
- the stainless steel grade;
- the projected annual demand and information about the series-production project;
- quality requirements, tolerances, and other requirements relevant to the part;
- an approved sample, if it serves as the basis for the project.
Frequently Asked Questions When Purchasing Stainless Steel Parts
Is the provided list of stainless steel grades exhaustive?
No. The list shows examples of materials with which SABNER has manufacturing experience. Other grades may be evaluated following an analysis of the material, geometry, tolerances, volume, and quality requirements.
Does SABNER produce prototypes and short runs as separate orders?
Our business model is focused on series production for projects with an annual demand starting at 10,000 pieces per year per component. Samples and small batches may be part of project validation before the target series is launched, if required by the customer or the process.
Is a 3D model required for the analysis?
Not always. Depending on the project stage, the analysis may be based on a 2D drawing, a 3D model, a customer specification, or an approved sample. The more complete the input data, the more accurately the project’s feasibility and requirements can be assessed.
When does SABNER confirm that a part can be manufactured?
After analyzing a specific project. Among other factors, we evaluate the material, geometry, dimensions and tolerances, quality requirements, and planned production volume.
Submit Your Stainless Steel Part Project for Analysis
If you are looking for a supplier for series production of small stainless steel parts, submit your project documentation and requirements. We will review the material, geometry, volume, and quality requirements and confirm manufacturability based on the specific project.