How Much Does Wire Forming Cost?
One of the most common questions we get asked is, “How much does wire forming cost?”
There’s no one-size-fits-all answer to this question because it depends on your company’s needs. However, there are five important factors that determine the total cost for wire forming.
1. Wire Materials
The cost of the wires is factored into the total. Many manufacturers offer different materials to choose from, including stainless steel and galvanized steel, and you can opt to coat your wires. With all the options available, the cost of materials varies wildly.
Still, the more you know about your material needs, the easier it is to estimate your costs.
2. Labor And Quality Assurance
Wire forming is a process that needs to be done right by trained technicians. Even with state-of-the-art equipment and skilled technicians, any good manufacturer should put each part through a certified quality control process with certified inspectors. This QA process has a cost. Some manufacturers offer to reduce their quality assurance costs in exchange for some flexibility on specifications. While this can be great for some applications where specifications can be loose, it can be foolish in an application where tolerances are tight.
Likewise, labor quality factors into the cost picture as well. A manufacturer that employs top-tier workers will charge more, all else being equal. But quality workers can help save money in terms of reducing problem rates and eliminating waste.
Generally, quality assurance and top-tier labor are worth the additional costs. It’s almost always better to pay a little more for a quality component than it is to save a few pennies and face warranty costs down the road.
3. Volume Of Wire
Volume is perhaps the biggest determining factor in wire forming costs. Many manufacturers set a minimum production run size for reasons mentioned here.
4. Forming Wire Equipment
Wire forming is a quicker and cheaper process than hand-bending or air-bending because the process doesn’t require any additional tooling. But, it does require sophisticated equipment. A good wire forming manufacturer uses the latest equipment and technologies to achieve the right shape, texture, and dimensions in every production run.
At Intran, we use state-of-the-art CNC wire benders with the latest technologies to bend wires up to 3.75 mm in diameter. Our comprehensive equipment setup and experienced technicians enable the wire forming process to operate quickly and accurately.
Some manufacturers with rudimentary wire forming equipment might offer you an unusually low quote, which might be tempting to accept. However, keep in mind that when it comes to wire forming, you get what you pay for. If you sign with a manufacturer that uses rudimentary wire forming equipment, you’re more likely to encounter issues with quality and turnaround time in the future.
If you want to see what kind of equipment and processes a manufacturer uses for wire forming, all you have to do is ask. Most manufacturers will be happy to take you on a tour of their facilities.
5. Shipping Formed Wire
Never sign a contract with a manufacturer without discussing shipping costs. Some overseas wire forming manufacturers will entice you with a low quote for their services, and then slap you with a huge shipping charge.
If you want to save money on shipping, we suggest signing a contract with a manufacturer that’s able to ship your orders via truck freight because:
- Shipping via truck is cost-competitive with other methods, yet offers more benefits.
- Truck shipping times are much shorter and may take a day or two, as opposed to weeks or months with ocean-going cargo.
- When you can ship freight in pallet sized quantities (rather than container sized quantities), cash flow is usually better.
At Intran, we ship via truck freight to the USA and Canada. It’s one of the quickest and most inexpensive shipping methods available.
Key Takeaways
Now that you have a better idea of what goes into determining the cost of wire forming, you can go over each estimate you receive and determine whether it’s reasonable for your company. The five factors listed above are crucial aspects of the wire forming process and none of them should be skipped in order to cut corners.
Got any questions about the wire forming process or the main determining factors of wire forming costs? Contact us; we’d love to chat with you!