01 · Process
From your drawing to a labelled box.
Five stations, the same for a single prototype and a batch of a few hundred. Each one ends in something you can ask for.
READ
We read the drawing against the model: revision letter, material, general tolerance class and the few features that decide how the part is held and measured.
Anything unclear comes back to you as a short list of questions before we price it, so the quote is for the part you mean.
- Operation
- OP 010 · 1 of 5
- Output
- A quote with quantity breaks, and our questions
- Typical time
- Quote within two working days
PLAN
The operations, the order of set-ups, the fixtures and the cutting tools are written onto a route card that travels with the part.
Datum faces are chosen so the features that carry a tight tolerance are cut in the same clamping wherever possible.
- Operation
- OP 020 · 2 of 5
- Output
- A route card for the shop floor
- Typical time
- One to two working days after order
CUT
Parts are milled on 3- and 5-axis machining centres and turned on centres with driven tools, then deburred and edge-broken by hand to the drawing.
Finishes we do not do in-house, such as anodising or plating, go to partner shops and come back before the final check.
- Operation
- OP 030 · 3 of 5
- Output
- Machined, deburred parts
- Typical time
- Prototypes in five to ten working days, batches in three to four weeks
CHECK
The characteristics marked on the drawing are measured with calibrated hand gauges or on the coordinate measuring machine, depending on the feature.
A first-article report, a CMM protocol or a pass-through EN 10204 3.1 material certificate can be requested when you ask for the quote.
- Operation
- OP 040 · 4 of 5
- Output
- An inspection record, and a report if you asked for one
- Typical time
- Inside the same lead time
SHIP
Parts are packed so that faces and threads are not damaged, separated by drawing number and revision, with the delivery note and any reports.
The delivery date is confirmed with the order, and we tell you early if it moves.
- Operation
- OP 050 · 5 of 5
- Output
- Parts, labelled and packed, with paperwork
- Typical time
- Delivery date confirmed with the order
How a quote is built
Each quote lists the quantity breaks you asked for, the lead time and anything we assumed. These are the things that move the price.
- Machine timeThe time on each machine decides most of the price: material removed, number of set-ups and tool changes.
- Set-ups and fixturesA part that needs five faces cut needs more clampings than one that is cut from two sides; a one-off fixture is priced once and reused for repeats.
- TolerancesGeneral tolerances to ISO 2768 cost little. Tight fits, flatness or position tolerances add finishing passes and measuring time, so mark only the features that need them.
- Material and stockBar, plate or a cut block, and the grade. Hard-to-machine materials such as stainless steel or PEEK take longer per part.
- Finishing and inspectionAnodising or plating through a partner adds days and a cost per batch. Reports and certificates are priced by scope.
- Quantity breaksSet-up and programming are spread over the batch, so ask for two or three quantities and compare unit prices.