Hardware Startups

Stamp out headaches and delays. Donahue Industries can help you take your new creation to market as soon as possible by manufacturing your metal stampings. 

Why use metal parts?
The number one reason to use metal over plastic and ceramics: strength.  

The process
We’ll guide you through the process at every step. It will be streamlined. It will be local. And we promise it will be fun. 

STEP 1: Drawings & Specifications
We’ll work with you to:
  • Help you understand the fastest and most cost-effective means of producing your metal parts along with metal stamping lingo.
  • Draw up blueprints of your metal stampings from your working prototype and specifications.
  • Suggest design tweaks that will help manufacture parts more cost-effectively while maintaining functionality.

STEP 2: Tooling
Using the specifications we created together, we’ll work with our toolmakers to create a tool to stamp your metal pieces.

STEP 3: Samples
Next come the samples. We’ll send you samples for you to test in your final product manufacturing process, ensuring parts are exactly to print. 

STEP 4: Parts and Plating or Anodizing (Optional)
The phase you’ve been waiting for: bringing your product to market. We’ll create metal parts and ship at lower freight costs than you’ll find overseas — so you can concentrate on meeting customer demand. You may choose to plate your metal stampings in cadmium, chrome, copper, nickel, or zinc or stamp stainless steel, aluminum, or another metal. You can also anodize for a brushed metal finish.

The only step left is focusing on your next great innovation.

Call or email: 508.845.6501 or [email protected].
Types of Metal Manufacturing We Manage

SIMPLE: Using Metal Coils or Strips
Stamping: Forming metal coils or strips into shapes (blanks, embosses, and bends, for example) using a press (a single operation or a series of stages)
Metals used:
Aluminum
Electrolytic steel
Stainless steel
For large runs (10,000+ parts)
Pros: Rapid production time (seconds) and most cost-effective part pricing
Cons: Tooling generally costs from $10,000 to $50,000, and tooling changes are limited.

Laser Cutting: Cutting and etching metal using a laser, usually through optics and CNC (Computer Numerical Control) for material or laser beam control. The process leaves a high-quality surface finish and permanently etched parts.
Metals used:
Aluminum
Sheet steel
Stainless steel
For small runs (less than 10,000 parts)
Pros: No tooling needed
Cons: Slower process with longer turnaround time and higher prices

COMPLEX: Using Bar Stock or Melted Metal
Die Casting: Putting liquid metal into a mold under high pressure, commonly used for the production of complex geometries.
Metals used:
Aluminum
Copper
Lead
Magnesium
Tin
Zinc
For large runs (10,000 parts)
Pros: Rapid production time (seconds) and cost-effective part pricing
Cons: Tooling generally costs from $10,000 to $50,000, and tooling changes are limited.

Machining: Drilling and threading bar stock, commonly used in production of nuts.
Metals used:
Aluminum
Brass
Stainless steel
For large runs (10,000+ parts)
Pros: Little or no tooling needed
Cons: Slower process with longer turnaround time and higher prices