Preparing a CNC Manufacturing RFQ

What Makes an RFQ Ready for Review?

A useful manufacturing RFQ gives engineering and procurement the same starting point: a controlled definition of the part, the quantity to price, the condition in which it will be accepted and the delivery scope. A model without notes, or a unit-price request without inspection requirements, can leave suppliers pricing different work.

This is a planning checklist, not a claim that a particular part has already been manufactured. Undecided details can remain open, provided they are identified before a quotation becomes an order.

1. Establish the Controlled Part Definition

Provide the part number, drawing number and revision, a readable PDF drawing and an available STEP model. State the units and which document controls if a model and drawing disagree. Identify changes from a previous quotation rather than sending a new file under an unchanged name.

For parts with mating interfaces or customer-supplied components, include those details. If you only have a sample, first agree whether measurement, reverse engineering or design work is needed; those are separate from build-to-print manufacture.

2. Specify Material and Final Condition

Include the grade, governing material standard when required, temper or heat-treatment condition and any restrictions on substitution. Ask for material certificates and lot traceability at this stage, not after production. A material family such as “stainless” is not a complete procurement specification.

Define the treatment, coating thickness where applicable, masking, color/appearance and final hardness requirements. Make clear whether critical dimensions apply before or after treatment. See material requirements and finishing requirements.

3. Identify Acceptance Requirements

• Mark functional fits, datum relationships and critical dimensions.
• Include roughness, edge/burr limits, cleanliness and cosmetic zones.
• Identify dimensions requiring recorded actual values, not just a pass/fail statement.
• Agree first-article scope, sampling, any full inspection and the required report format.
• Declare customer qualification or special documentation requirements before factory selection.

Do not assume that “precision machining” includes every inspection record. The quality plan should specify the evidence expected with the parts.

4. Give Procurement a Comparable Basis

Separate sample quantity, first production quantity and anticipated repeat demand. Request setup/tooling costs separately from unit price, and identify whether tooling is reusable and who owns it. Compare quotations on the same material, treatment, inspection, packaging and delivery scope.

Provide the target receipt date and destination, not only a desired ship date. Identify the contracting/invoicing parties, shipment responsibilities and required documents in the eventual quotation. No universal MOQ, response time or delivery promise is implied by this checklist.

Copyable RFQ Outline

1. Part/drawing number and revision; PDF and available model.
2. Application, mating interfaces and critical features.
3. Material grade, condition, substitution restrictions and records.
4. Sample, order and expected repeat quantities.
5. Treatment, final dimensions, edge and appearance requirements.
6. Inspection scope, sample approval and release authority.
7. Target date, destination, protection and packaging.
8. Open questions, NDA and permitted partner sharing.

Discuss NDA terms before exchanging confidential files. Send your requirement with unknown items marked “to discuss”; ElixirFab can then coordinate clarification with a suitable Asian manufacturing partner.