Regardless of the industry, shorter development and innovation cycles can lead to improved market performance. Faster prototyping means faster testing and validation, which in turn produces faster development and product launches. This compressed development cycle can then give a company an edge over its competitors, providing its customers with the most cutting-edge solutions.

Unfortunately, various bottlenecks can slow down the development cycle, perhaps the most significant of these being supplier sourcing or procurement. An R&D department might come up with several feasible product designs per day, but that counts for nothing if prototypes and components cannot be sourced in a timely manner. Finding a supplier, arranging a contract, waiting for shipments, then coordinating the process with other contractors can turn a cutting-edge product into an obsolete one.

Streamlined procurement is therefore key to efficient product development. But how can that be achieved when an engineer sometimes works with separate parties for technical consulting, manufacturing, post-processing, and surface finishing?

Streamlined Procurement with FACTUREE

Manufacturing hub FACTUREE, based in Berlin's iconic Osram-Höfe industrial business park, has addressed the issue of procurement complexity by offering a seamless process that connects customers with the right suppliers for every need, all managed through a single point of contact. Instead of dealing with multiple suppliers, customers benefit from FACTUREE's extensive network of over 2,000 qualified suppliers, all managed by FACTUREE to ensure the best match for every requirement.

Finding suppliers can be one of the most frustratingly slow processes in the development cycle: companies need to find suppliers offering immediate machine availability, fast shipment, and a fair quotation — and checking all three of these boxes isn't always possible. In fact, 26 percent of companies take issue with the effort required to coordinate suppliers when procuring components. 

However, with FACTUREE, customers no longer need to navigate the time-consuming process themselves. FACTUREE's digital solution efficiently manages an extensive network of qualified suppliers, ensuring that every project is matched with the best manufacturer. FACTUREE simplifies procurement for its clients by finding tailored solutions for every requirement, regardless of the quantity or complexity, and efficiently managing the entire process. 

One of the ways FACTUREE tackles the issue of supplier sourcing is through digital procurement. This means that a company uses a single digital platform to rapidly identify available suppliers for every production stage, from technical analysis to surface finishing. Moreover, FACTUREE serves as the single point of contact, managing all required liaisons and coordination between suppliers, ensuring a smooth, stress-free process that enables the end user to get their project moving almost instantly. FACTUREE utilizes cutting-edge digital technologies and artificial intelligence to improve the traditional procurement process. Their intelligent algorithms optimize supplier selection, while automated processes ensure that projects are executed efficiently and on time. This AI-supported selection ensures that the best possible finisher is chosen for each project, guaranteeing high-quality outcomes. These digital solutions enable FACTUREE's customers to respond more quickly to market changes and bring innovative ideas to life in the shortest possible time.

FACTUREE acts as a strategic partner in procurement, finding the ideal manufacturer for every need and ensuring that the process is as efficient and hassle-free as possible. Through partnership, FACTUREE drives progress and creates new opportunities for innovation. They are dedicated to understanding engineers' challenges and offering tailored solutions that meet their specific needs.

Free Advanced Tools for Manufacturing

FACTUREE's approach can dramatically shorten product development cycles, and it can be applied to various forms of manufacturing, including additive manufacturing, CNC machining, sheet metal fabrication, and, as of 2024, molding and casting processes. This is in addition to surface finishing processes, large-scale series production, and other unique offerings, all enabled by FACTUREE's network of over 2,000 trusted manufacturing partners and their 15,000 individual machines.

To ensure a successfully manufactured part, FACTUREE also provides free advanced tools that can help engineers with standards, fit, and tolerances. For the last few years, FACTUREE has provided two highly useful online tools to assist engineers with design and development before they send their technical drawings for manufacturing.

The first of these tools is the Rz-Ra Calculator, an industry-first online solution for converting surface roughness parameters. This is important for engineers because customers across different industries may prefer certain parameters for measuring roughness over others. For example, Ra indicates average height deviations (and corresponds to ISO N standards) while Rz indicates maximum peak-to-valley heights or extreme irregularities. The more relevant value depends on the application of the part. Another advanced tool offered by FACTUREE is an optimized fit calculator. This tool calculates the maximum tolerance for a given dimension and type of fit and provides a unique reciprocal calculation function, working out clearance fit and other fit classes from a specified internal and external fit value.

FACTUREE Success Stories

The seamless procurement solution from FACTUREE has been leveraged by many companies, large and small, across several industries. One success story was demonstrated in 2023 when ten taxi ranks and 66 electric vehicles in the Austrian cities of Vienna and Graz had to be retrofitted with all-new Matrix Charging stations from tech company Easelink. This automated, hands-free charging station makes life easier for drivers and is helping to facilitate the "eTaxi Austria" scheme to make all taxis electric by 2025.

As part of the project, FACTUREE was tasked with supplying key components for the core element of the conductive charging system. For one of the two core components, various small-turned and milled aluminum parts were required. Because FACTUREE could leverage its wide range of manufacturing partners, manufacturing techniques, and surface treatments, it could meet Easelink's demands nimbly and efficiently — faster than if the customer had sourced suppliers on its own.

FACTUREE supplied various small-turned and milled parts made of aluminum for the connector. Credit: Facturee

Another beneficiary of FACTUREE's services is aerospace company Space Applications Services, headquartered in Brussels, whose customers include organizations like the European Space Agency (ESA). The company required CNC machined parts for prototypes and space qualification models used in aerospace applications after its previous supplier failed to meet expectations regarding material quality, delivery times, and pricing. The high-quality parts supplied by FACTUREE have convinced Space Applications Services to continue using the service after more than two years.

Conclusion

Finding suppliers to handle part manufacturing, post-processing, finishing, and other tasks is a challenge that adds unnecessary time and complexity to product development. By entrusting procurement to FACTUREE, companies can focus on innovation while FACTUREE manages the complexities, ensuring a smooth, efficient process from start to finish.

Visit the FACTUREE website to directly request a quote, or contact them with any questions to schedule a consultation. 

This article was contributed to by Benedict O'Neil