Having your parts made by a specialist
You have designed a machine and can build the frame in-house, but the shafts, bushes and fittings need equipment you do not have. Having another manufacturer make those parts to your drawing and agreed requirements is contract manufacturing. With CNC machining, the work includes programming, workholding, tooling, inspection and delivery—not just time with the spindle running.
An off-the-shelf component is selected from an existing range. A made-to-drawing part is produced against your technical requirements. It does not have to be a new design: repeat orders to an unchanged drawing revision are contract work too.
Who supplies the material and makes the decisions?
The customer can supply the stock, or the machine shop can purchase it. Either way, specify the grade, supply condition and required certificates. “Steel” is not enough information for two shops to quote the same job.
The customer defines the function and acceptance requirements. The manufacturer selects a suitable process and can suggest changes that make the part easier to produce. Material substitutions and tolerance changes still need approval. We would rather resolve that question at quotation stage than have it appear at incoming inspection.
From drawing to delivery
For a shaft, send the current drawing, a STEP model if available, material details and quantity. The quotation should cover machining, inspection and delivery. Where first samples are required, agree how they will be approved before releasing the production batch. Making the whole batch before validating the part can turn a small drawing change into expensive rework.
At delivery, check the agreed reports and documentation as well as the quantity. Sample approval and permission to proceed with the full batch should be clear decisions, not assumptions.
What to send with your first enquiry
Put the part number, revision, sample quantity, batch size and required date in one enquiry. Include heat treatment, coating, marking and packaging, with responsibility for each operation. A useful price comparison starts with everyone quoting the same scope. Our guides to STEP files and drawings, and preparing an RFQ, explain how to assemble that information.
Related guides
- STEP models and engineering drawings
- Preparing a machining RFQ
- Choosing a CNC Machining Supplier: 10 Questions Worth Asking
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