Manufacturing spare parts for industrial machinery

When does it make sense to manufacture a spare part instead of sourcing it?

It’s not always possible, or advisable, to wait for the original spare part. There are situations where custom manufacturing is the fastest, most economical, or simply the only viable option.

The original spare part is discontinued

Many machines continue to work perfectly even though the manufacturer no longer offers support or replacement parts. When a critical component fails and there’s no stock on the market, the alternative is to manufacture it from scratch.

This is common with machinery over 10 or 15 years old, especially if the original manufacturer has disappeared or stopped producing that model.

The manufacturer’s lead times are unacceptable

The spare part exists, but delivery takes weeks or even months. Meanwhile, the production line is stopped or running with limitations.

In these cases, manufacturing the part at a workshop with quick response capability can drastically reduce downtime.

You only have the broken part (no drawing or reference)

Technical documentation isn’t always available. Sometimes all that remains is the damaged, worn, or broken part.

In these cases, we work from the sample: we take measurements, analyse the material and the function it must perform, and manufacture an equivalent part that meets the same requirements.

You want to improve the original design

If a part fails repeatedly, it may make sense not just to replicate it, but to improve it. A change in material, an adjustment to the geometry, or a surface treatment can extend its service life and reduce future stoppages.

What we need to manufacture your spare part

The more information we have, the faster and more accurate the process. But it’s not always essential to have everything.

With technical drawing

This is the ideal scenario. If you have the original drawing with dimensions, tolerances, and specified material, we can move directly to production.

We can also work with old, incomplete, or non-standard format drawings. The important thing is to have a technical basis to start from.

With a sample part

If there’s no drawing but you still have the part—even if it’s broken, worn, or deformed—we can measure it, analyse it, and reproduce it.

Depending on the sample’s condition, it may be necessary to make adjustments or confirm certain details with you before manufacturing.

With functional description only

In exceptional cases, when there’s neither a drawing nor a sample, we can work from a technical description: what function the part performs, where it’s mounted, what stresses it endures, and its approximate dimensions.

This scenario requires more communication and usually some iteration before reaching the final part.

Lead times: real flexibility, no false promises

We won’t tell you that any part will be ready in 24 hours. But we can tell you that we evaluate each case individually and, when the situation requires it, we prioritise.

Simple geometry parts

CNC turning or basic milling operations, with standard materials and no special treatments, can have shorter lead times.

Complex parts or those with specific requirements

More demanding geometries, tight tolerances, less common materials, or thermal and surface treatments require more preparation time and execution.

Justified urgencies

If you have a line down or a critical machine out of service, we understand. We assess the real urgency and adjust planning to reduce waiting time as much as possible.

The key is communication: the sooner you contact us and the more information you provide, the more room we have to help you.

Safety stock: manufacture today, avoid problems tomorrow

There are parts you know will fail sooner or later. Wear elements, critical components from old machines, parts that have already caused problems.

For these cases, we offer the possibility of manufacturing a batch of spare parts and storing them, ready to ship as soon as you need them.

What it is and what it’s for

Safety stock is a small inventory of critical parts—custom manufactured for you—that we keep available at our facilities.

When you need one, you don’t have to wait for it to be manufactured: it’s already made. We just need to prepare and ship it.

How it works

The process is simple:

1. Together, we identify which parts make sense to keep in stock.
2. We manufacture an initial batch (5, 10, 20 units… whatever makes sense for your consumption).
3. We store it at our facilities.
4. When you need a part, you let us know and we ship it.
5. We replenish the stock periodically or on demand.

Who it makes sense for

This service is especially useful if:

• You have machines with wear parts that fail repeatedly.
• You work with old equipment whose original spare parts no longer exist.
• You can’t afford long stoppages and need immediate response capability.
• You prefer not to use space in your own warehouse for parts you only use occasionally.

Direct shipping to your plant

Once the part is manufactured, we take care of getting it to you. No intermediaries, no complications.

No intermediaries

The part leaves our workshop and arrives at your address. We handle transport and, if necessary, coordinate urgent shipments so you receive it as quickly as possible.

Coordination with your team

If needed, we can communicate directly with your maintenance or production department to confirm details, resolve technical queries, or adjust delivery to your schedules.

We’ve spent more than 50 years working with industrial maintenance teams. We know that direct communication without filters is what works best when time is pressing.

Frequently asked questions

Can you manufacture a part without a drawing?

Yes. If you have the original part (even if damaged), we can measure and reproduce it. If you have neither drawing nor sample, we’ll need a detailed technical description and possibly some iteration to reach the correct result.

What materials do you work with?

We machine carbon steels, stainless steels, aluminium, brass, bronze, copper, and engineering plastics such as POM, PA6, PTFE, or PEEK. If you need a specific material, ask us.

Do you ship outside Zaragoza?

Yes. We work with clients throughout Spain and internationally. We handle transport and can coordinate urgent shipments when the situation requires it.

Will the manufactured spare part be exactly the same as the original?

Our goal is for the part to perform the same function with the same reliability. If we work from a drawing, we replicate the specifications. If we work from a sample, we adjust based on the part’s condition and available information. In some cases, we can even improve the original design.

What guarantee do you offer?

All parts are manufactured under our ISO 9001:2015 certified quality system. We document the process, control critical dimensions, and offer complete traceability. If there’s any problem with a part we’ve manufactured, we resolve it.

A stopped line can’t wait weeks

When a critical machine fails, every hour counts. The original spare part may take too long, be discontinued, or simply not exist. Custom manufacturing, with a supplier who understands urgency and has response capability, can be the difference between a stoppage of hours and a stoppage of weeks.

At Mecanizados Artal, we’ve spent over five decades manufacturing parts for the most demanding sectors: lifting, automotive, industrial machinery, railway. We know what it means to work with tight deadlines and strict tolerances.

If you have a part you need to manufacture urgently or to build safety stock contact us. We’ll analyse your case and give you a clear answer.