A leading electrical equipment manufacturer was looking for a manufacturing partner to produce a metal component used in an electrically sensitive, overmolded assembly. While the part had traditionally been manufactured using a stamped process, the conventional approach required a significant upfront tooling investment and an extended production timeline.
Beyond manufacturing the part, the customer faced another challenge. Many of the engineering drawings and prints no longer reflected the current production design, making it difficult to confidently transition the project to a new supplier. The company needed a manufacturing partner that could not only produce the part but also help validate the design and identify the best path forward.
Rather than simply quoting the project as a traditional stamped part, HTT took a consultative approach.
After reviewing the annual production volume and evaluating the customer's long-term goals, HTT identified an opportunity to manufacture the component using its new high-speed laser cutting technology rather than investing in dedicated stamping tooling.
This approach significantly reduced the customer's upfront tooling investment while dramatically accelerating production.
As Bob Lischka, Director of Supply Chain and Business Development at HTT, explained, "HTT is always looking at every avenue possible to work through our customers' needs and put their best interests first."
Instead of following the customer's original assumptions, HTT evaluated all available manufacturing options to determine which solution would deliver the greatest long-term value.
HTT's engineering and manufacturing teams collaborated to ensure the laser-cut component would deliver the same quality and performance as a traditionally stamped part.
One important consideration was edge quality. Because laser-cut parts can produce different edge characteristics than stamped components, the teams worked together to refine the manufacturing process until the finished part met the same standards expected from conventional stamping.
The new laser also provided several additional advantages:
The result was a solution that better aligned with the customer's production requirements while preserving product quality.
By leveraging HTT's laser cutting capabilities and collaborative engineering approach, the customer realized several immediate benefits:
This project demonstrates that the best manufacturing solutions often come from challenging conventional thinking.
Rather than defaulting to a traditional stamped process, HTT evaluated the customer's production volume, timing, and investment goals to recommend a solution that better fit the application.
As Bob Lischka shared, "A typical supplier would have manufactured the part exactly as requested. HTT looked at every available manufacturing option to eliminate unnecessary tooling costs and deliver a better overall solution."
The result was a faster product launch, lower upfront investment, and a manufacturing process designed around the customer's needs rather than the limitations of a single manufacturing method.
At HTT, every project begins with understanding the customer's goals, not simply producing a part.
By combining expertise in metal stamping, laser cutting, fabrication, welding, and engineering, HTT helps manufacturers reduce costs, accelerate product launches, and simplify manufacturing decisions. Whether the right solution is laser cutting, metal stamping, or a combination of both, HTT works collaboratively with customers to deliver the best outcome for their application.
If your team is looking for ways to reduce tooling costs, improve production flexibility, or bring products to market faster, HTT is ready to partner with you to find the right solution.