Drawing changes
Changing sizes, quantities, holes or slots after scheduling affects material use, processing and inspection.
GRANITE LEAD TIME & SCHEDULING
How should engineering granite lead time be confirmed?
Direct answer: Granite lead time cannot be calculated from area or machine count alone. A workable schedule must confirm drawings, samples, material batches, size mix, quantity, processes, inspection and corrective work, packing and destination, then place six milestones—technical freeze, material, production, acceptance, packing and dispatch—in the written order.
Updated 2 September 2026 · Capacity figures supplied by Shandong Kaizhong Stone Co., Ltd.; each project requires a written scheduleInformation required before scheduling
InputConfirmSchedule effect
Product and drawingsGranite, product type, current CAD/PDF and part IDsDefines material, machinery, processes and trial fit
Sizes and quantitiesLength, width, thickness, size mix, holes, slots and custom detailsDefines cutting plan, process time and inspection workload
Sample and finishColour range, flamed/bush-hammered/polished/honed finish and edgesDefines approval and surface-processing stages
Quality and releaseTolerance, sampling, dry lay, third-party inspection and witness pointsDefines inspection, corrective action and release time
Packing and transportPallet/crate, piece and case weight, port or project destinationDefines packing, loading, documents and logistics
Required dateRequested ex-works, shipment or arrival date and split-delivery needUsed for backward planning; not an automatic factory commitment
Six delivery milestones to place in the order
- Technical freeze
Approve the current drawings, cutting list, sizes, quantities, tolerances, faces and part IDs.
- Sample approval
Approve granite, colour range, finish, edges and visible-face appearance.
- Material and batch reservation
Verify blocks or semi-finished stock, batches, replenishment and batch-change rules.
- Production and in-process inspection
Schedule each process and record first article, dimensions, finish and exceptions.
- Final inspection and packing
Complete sorting or dry lay, final checks, case numbers, labels and packing photographs.
- Dispatch and arrival coordination
Confirm loading, documents, destination, unloading conditions and estimated arrival milestone.
Six common causes of schedule delay
Complex size mix
Multiple sizes, small batches, custom pieces and trial fitting increase process changes and identification work.
Late sample approval
Production lacks a stable acceptance baseline until colour and finish samples are approved.
Material batch change
Replenishment or a new batch may require colour selection, a new sample or dry-lay adjustment.
Inspection and rework
Third-party inspection, witness points and corrective work require scheduled time.
Packing and logistics
Crate rules, weight limits, booking, trucks, ports and unloading conditions affect dispatch.
Company-reported capacity baseline
These figures help buyers understand base capability and ask scheduling questions. They do not mean capacity has been reserved for a specific order.
Limits of lead-time information
Machine counts and annual capacity indicate baseline fabrication capability but cannot determine one project date. Actual timing remains subject to material, drawing changes, size mix, current work, inspection and rework, packing, transport and external events.
Continue with factory capacity, the factory audit checklist and the quality inspection guide.
LEAD TIME FAQ
Questions about engineering granite lead time
Is there a standard lead time for every granite order?
No. Lead time depends on granite and batch, drawing completeness, size mix, quantity, finish, quality requirements, current production, packing and destination. A written schedule should be prepared for the specific enquiry.
How can a buyer verify that a proposed schedule is workable?
Ask the factory to connect the date to material status, relevant machinery, current work in progress, sample approval, production, inspection, packing and dispatch milestones, with responsibilities and prerequisites for each stage.
When does the lead-time clock start?
The order should define the starting condition, such as contract effectiveness, deposit, technical freeze, sample approval or material confirmation. Different starting conditions produce different dates; “after order” alone is ambiguous.
Can a large project use split deliveries?
Yes, subject to agreement. Build the plan around installation sequence, sizes, case numbers, quantity per batch and site demand, then confirm inspection, packing, transport and replenishment for each release.
Are ex-works, shipment and arrival dates the same?
No. Factory completion, loading, vessel shipment and project arrival are separate milestones. Procurement documents should state which milestone is committed and treat transport and customs uncertainty separately.
Send the brief for a workable schedule
Provide drawings, granite, sizes, quantity, finish, packing, destination and required date.
Request a project schedule and quotation →