- Seven cost drivers behind every machined part
- Why two quotes differ by 3x, and how to find where
- A usable quote itemizes material, cycle time, setups, finish, inspection
- Shorten lead time without paying a rush premium
The seven cost drivers
1. Material volume and stock form. 2. Cycle time — how long metal is actually being cut. 3. Setup count — every re-clamp is labour and drift. 4. Tolerance band — a ±0.003 mm call-out costs more than ±0.05 mm, and it should. 5. Surface finish. 6. Quantity breaks. 7. Inspection and documentation. Seven levers, and most of them you control before the drawing is sent.
Why two quotes differ by 3x
The same drawing, quoted by two shops, can differ by a factor of three for five normal reasons: a different material assumption, a different setup strategy, a different inspection depth, whether finishing is included, and where the quantity break lands. None of these means the cheap shop is lying. It means the quotes are answering different questions, so ask both to show their assumptions side by side.
What a usable quote includes
Material, cycle time, setups, surface finish, inspection, and freight — six lines, not one number. A quote you cannot decompose is a quote you cannot compare. Ours itemises all six, and we will walk you through the number rather than defend it.
Lead-time anatomy
Lead time is four numbers: setup, run, finish, and inspect. Finishing (anodizing, plating) is usually the bottleneck because it often leaves the building. We quote on a 3 / 7 / 30-day ladder and state which of the four legs dominates, so you know what to accelerate if you must.
How to shorten lead time without a rush fee
Fix the design early with DFM so the part needs one setup, not three. Use a stock bar diameter. Move the surface finish to a standard color and coating. Order at a quantity break. Four changes that cut days without paying anyone a premium.
An RFQ checklist you can copy
3D model plus 2D with GD&T · material and heat treatment · prototype and production quantities · surface finish · which features are critical · certification and documentation needs · destination country · target lead time. Send these eight and you will get a quote you can act on, not a number you have to decode.
Are online instant quotes accurate?
For simple parts, a rough estimate is fine. For tight-tolerance geometry, a real quote requires a person to read the 3D, which is why we send DFM notes with the number.
What drives the price more, tolerance or quantity?
Both, but differently: tolerance raises the floor, quantity lowers it. A tight tolerance at one piece is the most expensive combination; a relaxed tolerance at volume is the cheapest.
Send the eight-line checklist and get a quote you can actually compare.
Send a 3D file to [email protected] · +86 13126536955
Standards referenced on this page
- ISO 9001 — Quality management systems — Requirements
- ASTM E8/E8M-21 — Standard Test Methods for Tension Testing of Metallic Materials