Why Does a Quote for 10 Custom Springs Cost More Per Piece Than 10,000?

Discover why small-batch custom spring quotes often have higher per-piece pricing than large runs. Learn how Ace Wire Spring’s custom manufacturing process, material sourcing, and industry expertise impact your quote. As a custom Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania spring manufacturer, we support a wide range of industries—from circuit breakers and high voltage electrical switch gear to agriculture, transportation, and medical. Every spring we produce is made-to-order, tailored to your exact requirements, using materials carefully selected for your application.

Why Small Quantity Custom Springs Cost More Per Piece

Unlike mass-production suppliers, Ace Wire Spring operates as a custom job shop. We do not carry off-the-shelf inventory. Every project begins with detailed engineering analysis and tailored production. The process includes:

• Custom wire selection – See Ace Wire Springs Wire Size and Wire Material
• CNC machine setup and tooling
• Material procurement
• Quality inspection and documentation

These steps are essential for every order—whether you need 10 or 10,000 springs. The difference? In a large run, those upfront costs are spread over more parts, significantly reducing the per-unit cost.

Material Sourcing & Supplier Minimums

Even for low-volume jobs, we must source the exact spring wire material your application requires—carbon steel, stainless steel, or specialty alloys. Most wire suppliers have minimum order quantities, meaning we may have to purchase far more material than the job requires, which increases your quote.

Setup Time & Engineering Labor

Our CNC spring coiling and forming machines require precise setup and programming. This includes:

• Designing and fitting custom tooling
• Machine calibration
• First-article inspections
• Quality verification

Whether we’re making 10 parts or 10,000, the time investment is similar. For low-quantity orders, setup time becomes a major factor in your per-piece price.

Prototype Support & Engineering Design Assistance

For customers developing new products or testing unique applications, we offer prototyping services backed by full engineering and design support. Our experienced engineering team will review your drawings, physical samples, and specifications using spring design software to validate tolerances, loads, and functionality.

When needed, we’ll offer recommendations to refine your design to ensure manufacturability and performance. Other spring suppliers may offer standard parts with little design input—but at Ace, we do the legwork to get your custom solution off the ground.

We can ship prototypes or samples, gather your feedback, and iterate until the part performs exactly as needed. That hands-on collaboration is what sets us apart.

Industries That Rely on Small-Batch Custom Springs

Ace Wire Spring supports industries where small quantities of precision-engineered springs are often needed:

• Medical devices – Small-batch prototypes or clinical-use parts
• Aerospace & defense – Mission-critical components with exacting specs
• Agriculture & power generation – Specialty parts for equipment testing or short runs
• Transportation & Trailer manufacturing – Prototypes, aftermarket support, or new product development

Our team has the experience to support both prototype and production runs with responsive customer service, quick lead times, and precision craftsmanship.

What You’re Paying for in a Small Run

When requesting a low-volume quote from Ace, you’re investing in more than just materials:

• Experienced engineering and design support
• Custom tooling and setup
• Material acquisition and traceability
• Comprehensive quality assurance

We pride ourselves on offering U.S.-made custom springs that perform reliably under the most demanding conditions.

Pittsburgh Spring Company – Proudly Serving the Region and Beyond

As a leading Pittsburgh spring manufacturer, Ace Wire Spring & Form Co., Inc. has proudly served Western Pennsylvania and the surrounding areas for over 85 years. Located in the heart of Pittsburgh, our facility combines time-tested craftsmanship with advanced CNC spring coiling and wire forming technology to deliver high-quality, made-to-order springs for a wide range of industries.

Whether you’re a local OEM, engineer, or purchasing agent searching for a custom spring supplier in Pittsburgh, we offer the technical expertise and production capabilities to support your small-batch prototypes and large-scale production runs alike. Our team is deeply rooted in the community, committed to American manufacturing, and trusted by companies across the trailer, agriculture, defense, energy, and medical sectors.

At Ace Wire Spring & Form Co., Inc., we provide fast, accurate quotes and design support tailored to your application. Submit a Request for Quote (RFQ) today with as much information as possible—a drawing, sample, photo, or even a stock part number.

Why Choose Ace Wire Spring?

• Over 85 years of spring manufacturing experience
• ITAR registered and ISO-certified
• Trusted by industries from medical and aerospace to trailer and transportation – See additional industries here
• Fully Made in the USA, helping you avoid supply chain delays and tariff risks

Let us show you why leading OEMs, engineers, and purchasing professionals choose Ace for their custom spring needs.

RJ Froehlich

Ace Wire Spring & Form Co., Inc. is dedicated to educating the world about the critical role springs play in everyday life and industrial innovation. From small mechanisms to large-scale machinery, springs are everywhere—and our mission is to grow our business by helping others understand their importance and potential.

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