NFFS through the cooperation of its industry members developed
the following Tooling Classification System to assist Procurement
Officials in selecting the correct pattern for their current
aquisition quantity requirements.
Defining the type of pattern that is best suited for a given
part quantity is not usually a factor that Government procurement
officials have to consider. However, when a pattern already exists,
it is useful to know the number of castings that can be made from
that pattern so that users of the Defense Tooling Locator can
identify which pattern would be best suited to complete the
quantity requirements of their order. In addition, many parts in
this database have more than one type of pattern to make that part.
Pattern information such as type, material, and number of castings
per mold is included in the tooling database as well. The following
is provided only as a guideline, and general inquires regarding
patterns should be directed to the contractor.
- Class I
Short Life - Short Runs (least expensive)
- Class II
Medium Life - Medium Production (100 - 1,000 pieces)
- Class III
Long Life - Medium Production (1,000 - 3,000+ pieces)
- Class IV
Long Life - Long Runs (10,000 - 20,000 pieces)