Part development time depends mainly on the process, the tooling and how formal your approval is. A simple machined part from stock material can often reach approved samples in a few weeks. A forged or cast part that needs new tooling and a full PPAP usually takes a few months.
Ask each supplier for a dated plan with every stage listed. That plan is more useful than a single headline figure. For parts made from a new drawing in general, see developing a component from a drawing.
The stages
- Drawing review and feasibility, where the supplier raises questions on tolerances and materials.
- Quotation and agreement on tooling, price basis and approval level.
- Tool design and manufacture, for dies, patterns, fixtures and gauges.
- Material purchase, which can be slow for special grades or sizes.
- First samples, followed by inspection and a first article report.
- Your review and any changes, then revised samples if needed.
- A trial run at production rate with capability studies and the PPAP file.
- Approval, then the first production order.
What makes it longer
- New forging dies or casting patterns, which add tool-making and trial time.
- Special materials that are not held in stock.
- Heat treatment, plating or testing done by outside firms.
- Tight tolerances that need several rounds of samples to prove.
- Slow answers to supplier questions on the drawing.
- Approval levels that need capability studies on a full production run.
- Festival and holiday periods in India, when plants close or run with fewer staff.
How to keep it short
Send a complete drawing package at the start, with material, tolerances, finish, critical dimensions and the approval level you need. Answer the supplier's feasibility questions quickly. Approve tooling design before tool-making starts.
Run some stages in parallel where you can. For example, the supplier can buy material while tooling is being made. Make sure samples are checked against the drawing before they leave the plant, so you do not lose weeks to a failed sample.
For castings in particular, see developing a new casting, because pattern work and trial pours have their own timeline.
Track it like a project
Ask for a weekly update against the dated plan. A good supplier will tell you early if a stage slips and why. Visiting the plant at the first sample stage often saves a whole round of changes.
Keep a simple log of every drawing question, answer and change, with dates. When a delay comes up, the log shows whether it started at the plant, at a subcontractor or with a late answer on your side. It also stops old drawing revisions reaching the shop floor.
Next step
We follow development at the plant, check samples before they ship and keep the plan moving. Book a free sourcing review to plan your next part.