JÄGER Business Blog

Is it worth creating a specification sheet for rubber and plastic articles?

In development projects for molded plastic and rubber parts, good planning is the be-all and end-all. The more detailed the specifications of the request have been defined in advance, the smoother the project will run. However, it sometimes happens that companies only approach a rubber & plastics producer with a rudimentary catalog of requirements and clarify all the details in a consultation meeting. While this approach is effective, it leads to delays that could have been avoided with some preliminary work and a well-developed specification sheet.

Why should companies prepare specifications?

In conventional rubber and plastics projects, specifications are rare. Most customers tend to explain their requirements during a consultation meeting. The reason for this is that many designers come from the metal sector and have little experience with the development of rubber or plastic components. They lack the know-how.

For this reason, many companies prefer to call on the consulting services of a manufacturer and clarify open questions in dialog. As a rule, a specification sheet is still produced in this way, but it is drawn up by the supplier and represents a documentation of what has been discussed.

However, dispensing with an internally prepared requirements specification poses challenges that companies should keep in mind. For example, the rubber and plastics producer’s review of the project request runs much faster and more smoothly if all the important information is already available. Clarifying requirements during the consultation process often means that customers have to discuss open questions internally before production can start. Aspects often come up that the customer has not yet thought about or has not specified to a sufficient degree of detail. This can lead to delays that could have been avoided with a prepared specification.

In addition, a requirements specification can facilitate the selection of a suitable development partner for the project, because the detailed specifications recorded there also represent decision criteria. They allow the supplier to clarify whether he can implement a solution with his existing capabilities and capacities and at what conditions. At the same time, the customer receives valuable feedback, which he can use to better compare the manufacturers contacted.

Discussion between two business partners

What information belongs in a good requirements specification?

The optimal content of a requirements specification (or equivalent checklist) always depends on the project. Information that is essential for one product may be optional for another. Mentioning everything that might be relevant makes it difficult for both sides to identify important key points.

When in doubt, you can use the following list of content commonly found in specifications as a guide:

Item description: The most important point in a specification is a general description or a drawing of the product to be manufactured. Here, attention should be paid to an adequate level of detail. The better the customer states his need and goal, the easier it is for the supplier to develop a solution.
Operating conditions: This refers to all external influences that affect the component during operation. Examples include temperatures, vibrations, and dynamic and static loads. Most factors result from the place of use.
Media: If the component is to come into contact with other materials or chemical substances, a complete list of these must be included in the specifications. These include acids and bases, oils, fuel and water, as well as abrasive media such as sand or gravel.
Approvals & Certifications: If the item to be produced has to comply with certain approvals or certifications, these should be fully mentioned in the specifications. This is important information for the supplier and affects many aspects of the design and construction.
Material selection information: Customers often already have an idea of what material might be suitable for them. While this information belongs in the specifications, it should not be considered a firm decision. In some cases, it turns out that another material is more suitable for the application.
Shore hardness: The required hardness of the component results from various factors, including the conditions of use and the contact media. If manufacturing places additional requirements on the material, these should be recorded in the specifications.
Dimensional tolerances: In some applications, high precision is required. Even slight deviations from the specifications can render a component unusable there. This is the case in the medical sector or in mechanical engineering. However, not all materials allow such precise manufacturing. To avoid conflicts, the dimensional tolerances should therefore be mentioned in the specifications.
Follow-up: If further measures are to be carried out after production, such as flocking, annealing, gluing or applying an SK finish, this information should be mentioned in the specifications. This will influence both cost planning and, in some circumstances, material selection.
Production quantities: Both projected annual demand and lot sizes are important. This affects pricing and project planning.
Drawing Number: If design drawings are included with the RFQ, they should be clearly associated with the specification.
Drafts: In cases where detailed drawings are not available, simple drafts may be beneficial. If these are not too extensive, they can be attached directly to the specification.
Appearance: If the component to be manufactured is a visible part, visual aspects or haptic aspects are also relevant. In this case, the specifications should include information regarding the product design and the company's CI.
Payment terms: Clarification of the financials is part of every project and should be clarified early on.
Packaging requirements: In addition to the commission and dimensions, the packaging material and any fillers are particularly relevant. Requirements regarding sustainability should also be mentioned, for example, if recyclable packaging is desired.
Delivery terms: Should be arranged in good time.

You should not regard this overview as the binding structure of a specification, but rather as a checklist. Go through each item and decide which aspects are relevant to your project. If you are unsure, include the topic in your specifications and address it in the consultation meeting.

Conclusion

Preparing a specification sheet before making an inquiry to a rubber and plastics producer is an effort that many companies shy away from. They prefer to clarify their requirements in direct dialog with the supplier. However, this procedure has its pitfalls. Questions often arise that the customer cannot answer ad hoc, or aspects that must first be clarified internally. In addition, companies give up a tool that can help them pre-select potential development partners. Both can delay the start of the project. It is therefore advisable to clarify the requirements for the rubber or plastic article as far as possible before contacting them and to document them in a specification sheet.

Whitepaper:
Secure the Start of Production

Learn which factors influence your SOP!

Author: Jörg Zitzelsberger

Jörg Zitzelsberger has been part of the Jäger Gummi und Kunststoff team since 1993. With many years of experience, he serves our customers as head of the Stuttgart location.

j.zitzelsberger@jaeger-gk.de | 0711 9519 2611

Share post now!