Manufacturing issue
A part was made incorrectly
A machine shop might misread a dimension, use the wrong drawing revision, or confuse units.
Manufacturing
How to distinguish normal supplier questions from quality problems, investigate parts that do not fit, and plan for corrections during custom manufacturing.
The quick take
When developing new hardware, you experience the manufacturing process that happens before a finished product reaches a retail shelf. Some back-and-forth is normal. An issue needs investigation, but it doesn’t automatically mean the project is going badly.
Manufacturing issue
A machine shop might misread a dimension, use the wrong drawing revision, or confuse units.
Design issue
Parts may meet their drawings while the design itself needs adjustment for them to fit together as expected.
Check the order’s scope. A manufacturer isn’t necessarily responsible for verifying that every component fits into your complete assembly unless that testing was included in the order.
Some back-and-forth can involve:
Consistently poor workmanship is not a normal prototype challenge.
The AVA Labs approach
We advocate for clients throughout manufacturing, distinguish normal challenges from unacceptable quality problems, and communicate findings clearly. When problems arise, we work with manufacturers to:
Identify the cause
Determine who is responsible
Pursue an appropriate resolution
Money has already been spent when parts arrive, so finding a problem can feel stressful. Prepare for supplier communication, some corrections, and occasional rework.
Not every order will have problems. Allow reasonable time and budget for these activities instead of assuming every custom component will arrive perfect on the first attempt.
Custom manufacturing is very different from purchasing a finished product at Amazon or Walmart.
We're accustomed to products arriving ready to use, without ever seeing the manufacturing problems, inspections, and corrections that happened before they reached the shelf.
When developing a new hardware product, you're experiencing that process firsthand.
Some back-and-forth with manufacturers is normal. There may be questions about dimensions, tolerances, materials, or finishes.
Manufacturing mistakes happen, too. A machine shop might misread a dimension, use the wrong drawing revision, or confuse units.
Sometimes parts won't fit together as expected. The manufacturer may have made something incorrectly, or the parts may meet their drawings while the design itself needs adjustment.
These issues need to be investigated, but they don't automatically mean the project is going badly.
There's also an important distinction between normal prototype challenges and unacceptable workmanship.
Incorrect materials, damaged threads, dimensions outside specified tolerances, or burrs left where deburring was required are legitimate quality problems that should be corrected.
It's also important to understand that a manufacturer isn't necessarily responsible for verifying that every component fits into your complete assembly unless that testing was included in the order.
At AVA Labs, we advocate for our clients throughout the manufacturing process. We're experienced in distinguishing normal manufacturing challenges from unacceptable quality problems, and we communicate those findings clearly to everyone involved.
When problems arise, we work with manufacturers to identify the cause, determine who's responsible, and pursue an appropriate resolution.
For first-time founders, this stage can be surprisingly stressful.
Money has already been spent, parts are arriving, and suddenly something doesn't fit. This can create anxiety and make the process feel chaotic.
That's why founders should prepare both mentally and financially for some corrections, supplier communication, and occasional rework.
Allow reasonable time and budget for these activities rather than assuming every custom component will arrive perfect on the first attempt.
Not every order will have problems, but some manufacturing friction is a realistic part of developing new hardware.
The important distinction is that minor issues and back-and-forth are normal. Consistently poor workmanship is not. AVA Labs helps founders understand that difference, protects their interests, and guides them through the process.