How Ambidextrous Blanks Reduce Lead Times for Repeat Parts
Our Idaho machine shop is always looking for ways to revolutionize our workflow and bring new efficiencies to our capabilities. One surprising outcome of those efforts is an inventory-boosting solution for customers who order repeat parts: ambidextrous blanks.
Keep reading to learn about ambidextrous blanks—what they are, how we make them, and how taking advantage of them can help keep lead times low.
The Challenge: A Race Against Time
One of our customers was known for ordering replacement parts with a due date of (literally) “yesterday.” This customer’s packaging industry parts are designed as mirror-image twins that affix to the left and right sides of their conveyor assemblies.
Because the parts include several challenging features that are time-consuming to achieve, precision machining them from scratch in a hurry was always a challenge. We constantly felt like we were running behind the clock with this customer’s orders.
As a team dedicated to meeting every customer’s needs, we were determined to find a solution— and we knew we had to think outside the box.
The Eureka Moment: Ambidextrous Blanks
A bit of brainstorming led us to the idea of making “ambidextrous blanks.”
“Ambidextrous blanks” is our term for partially machined workpieces that are versatile, ready-to-go, and capable of being quickly transformed into either a left-side or right-side component as needed.
The idea hasn’t just saved time for our customers with mirror-image parts; it has completely shifted how we think about precision machining and lead times.
Get a head start on your parts with ambidextrous blanks
So, what do ambidextrous blanks really mean for us and our customers?
Picture this featured customer’s part: two simple aluminum corner posts that are mirror images of each other, with offset box-like features and specific hole patterns. To prepare these posts as ambidextrous blanks, we machine each part to 30% completion—the point at which we’d have to determine whether the part will become a right-side part or a left-side part.
Ambidextrous Blank:
Finished Product:
By stocking up on these ambidextrous blanks, we're halfway to the finish line before an order even comes in!
With ambidextrous blanks, customers benefit from a dramatic reduction in wait times. What used to involve days-long processes now requires just a couple of hours of precision machining time to finalize the part.
As with a blanket order or vendor-managed inventory, we first collaborate with our customer to forecast their needs, and then we machine and stock the ambidextrous blanks in preparation for our customer’s next order. This approach keeps our efficiency high and our customer satisfied.
Ambidextrous Blanks Are a Universal Solution
This concept isn’t a one-off solution for a single customer. We can offer ambidextrous blanks to any customer who requires repeat parts with symmetrical designs. Simply request a consultation, and we’ll determine if your parts are a good fit for this approach.
Ours is a strategy born out of necessity that has found relevance across a spectrum of projects. By understanding our customers’ diverse requirements and adapting our methods to meet them effectively, our team champions innovative thinking, collaborative problem-solving, and the pursuit of total customer satisfaction.
Looking Ahead
We’re continuously exploring new avenues to refine our methods and deliver even better results, and with each ambidextrous blank we craft, we reinforce our efficiencies and enhance customer satisfaction.
If you’re facing manufacturing challenges, especially those requiring quick turnarounds, we invite you to explore the possibilities with us. At Accurate CNC, we don’t just make parts; we forge partnerships and create success stories.
Together, we’re united in our mission to deliver excellence. What can our Idaho machine shop make for you? Request a quote!