New Product Introduction For Sheet Metal Fabrication
Launching a new product is a complex process, but it doesn’t have to be chaotic. Herold Precision Metals offers a structured, collaborative New Product Introduction (NPI) process designed specifically for precision sheet metal fabrication. Whether you're moving from concept to prototype or preparing for full-scale production, our team supports every step with engineering expertise, rapid iteration, and proven quality systems.
What Is The New Product Introduction Process?
New Product Introduction (NPI) refers to the end-to-end process of transforming an idea or design into a manufacturable, market-ready product. By bringing engineering and fabrication teams in early, you reduce risk, improve part performance, and accelerate time to market. At HPM, our NPI process guides your project through these key stages:
Product definition and timelines established
Preliminary design
Material Selection and Feasibility
Initial Design Consultation
Manufacturing Method Analysis
Design for Manufacturing Enhancement
Tolerance analysis and design constraints
Prototype
Testing
Refinement
Production Launch
Feedback
Early Design Consultation
The process begins with our early design consultation, where we collaborate with you to refine your project goals and objectives. Our experienced engineers provide invaluable guidance on:
Design Optimization for Manufacturability: Checking your design is practical and cost-effective.
Material Selection and Feasibility: Choosing the best materials for your application.
Tolerancing and Assembly Analysis: Precision engineering for flawless assembly.
Potential Cost-Saving Measures: Identifying opportunities to reduce expenses through Design for Manufacture (DFM) efforts.
Getting us involved in the earliest design stages prevents costly rework later and helps you launch faster.
Prototype Development
Next, we bring your designs to life through our prototyping services. Our dedicated prototype work cells enable us to quickly fabricate custom parts and assemblies, allowing you to:
Validate Designs: Guarantee functionality and durability.
Test Fit and Function: Assess how prototypes integrate with other components.
Conduct Durability Testing: Verify performance under real-world conditions.
Prototyping is crucial for identifying and resolving design issues early, saving you time and resources. Our engineers seamlessly transition from prototype to full-scale production to meet your exact specifications.
Pre-Production
With your design validated, we move into pre-production. This phase ensures that your part is ready for mass production with quality controls in place.
Design Adjustments: Based on prototype testing and customer feedback.
First Article Inspection Reports (FAIR): Thorough checks to confirm dimensional and process accuracy and consistency.
Production Part Approval Process (PPAP): Regulated or industry-standard documentation for customers requiring it.
Production Launch
Once pre-production is finalized, our manufacturing team takes over. With flexible production volumes and a wide range of fabrication capabilities, we provide:
High-Quality Standards: Consistent and precise fabrication.
Efficient Production: Streamlined processes to meet deadlines.
Scalability: The Capability to handle varying production volumes.
Versatile Services: From laser cutting and turret punching to welding and finishing, HPM can do it all.
Our commitment to quality and efficiency guarantees that your final product meets all specifications and market demands.
Why Partner With HPM For NPI?
Whether you’re launching a new product line, developing a custom enclosure, or engineering a tight-tolerance bracket for medical or defense applications, HPM’s NPI support gives you the speed, clarity, and quality you need to move forward.
Single-source partner for design, fabrication, QA, and assembly
ISO 9001:2015 certified and ITAR registered
FAIR and PPAP-ready for regulated industries
Collaborative team of engineers and technicians
Short iteration loops and flexible production ramps
FAQs About New Product Introduction
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NPI stands for New Product Introduction. It’s a structured process used to take a concept from design to production, including prototyping, DFM input, and quality validation.
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Design for Manufacturability (DFM) helps optimize your design for cost, speed, and repeatability. Catching problems early prevents production delays and expensive rework.
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First Article Inspection Reports verify that a sample part meets all design requirements before full production begins. It’s especially important in regulated or critical-use industries.
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With dedicated prototype work cells and in-house engineering, we can often produce your first parts in days, not weeks.
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Yes. We offer FAIR, PPAP, material traceability, and custom QA documentation packages.
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Let’s Launch Something Great
We’ve helped hundreds of engineers and manufacturers turn new designs into scalable, production-ready components. Let’s talk about how we can do the same for your next project.