The baseline principle: cost = material + time + risk
In scaled jewellery production, cost increases due to:
- too many operations,
- variability (too many variants),
- rework due to tolerances,
- and finishes that are hard to sustain in series.
Optimisation levers (without lowering the standard)
1) Design for manufacture (DFM)
- Avoid extremely thin areas if they don’t add visible value.
- Reinforce stress points (clasps, joints, prongs).
- Simplify geometry that forces rework.
2) Reduce variants in the first lot
- Launch with 1-2 primary finishes.
- Limit sizes/colours and scale later.
3) Set tolerances to what’s necessary
“Perfect” tolerances cost money. Define:
- where it matters (clasp, fit),
- and where it doesn’t (non-critical areas).
4) Pick the right process
- Suitable parts benefit from more stable processes at volume.
- Frequent design changes favour more flexible processes.
5) Smart setting (if applicable)
- Design seats and prongs to reduce manual intervention.
- Standardise stone calibres.
6) Series-friendly finishing
- Avoid finish combinations that require masking and reprocessing.
- Agree realistic visual standards.
What we need for an optimisation review
- CAD/key dimensions + reference photos
- Priority: cost vs quality vs speed
- Target quantity and forecast
- Non-negotiables and critical areas
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