Frequently asked questions

Most quotations are returned within 24 working hours. Simple turned or milled parts are often priced the same day; assemblies, multi-process jobs and requests requiring a material enquiry may take up to two working days. If a quotation will take longer, we tell you when to expect it rather than leaving you waiting.

A 3D model in STEP, Parasolid (X_T) or IGES is enough to start. Where the part carries tolerances tighter than ISO 2768-m, GD&T, surface finish callouts or thread specifications, please add a dimensioned 2D drawing as PDF or DWG. Telling us the quantity, material and required finish avoids a round of questions and usually gets the price back the same day.

No. We machine single prototypes as readily as 20,000-piece releases. There is a minimum order value on very small jobs to cover setup and programming, which we state clearly in the quotation — there are no charges that appear later.

Four things, roughly in order: the number of setups, cycle time, material cost and the tightest tolerance on the drawing. A tolerance of ±0.01 mm where ±0.1 mm would function can add 30 % to the price, and a feature that forces a fourth setup can add more. Our quotations flag these drivers so you can decide whether the requirement is worth the cost.

That is the point of working with a manufacturer rather than a marketplace. The engineer who quotes your prototype writes the process notes that become the production routing, on the same machines and under the same quality system. There is no new supplier audit, no re-qualification and no learning curve to pay for twice.

±0.005 mm on machined features and ±0.002 mm where grinding is added. Achieving these figures depends on material, geometry and part size — a tolerance that is routine on a 20 mm steel shaft is demanding on a 400 mm aluminium plate because of thermal expansion alone. Mark the critical dimensions on your drawing and we will tell you honestly what is achievable and what it costs.

Yes, on every quotation and at no charge. A process engineer checks tolerance stack-up, wall thickness, internal corner radii, tool access, thread depth and datum scheme, and returns specific suggestions — for example, opening an internal radius from 2 mm to 3 mm to allow a larger cutter, which can shorten cycle time by 20 % with no functional change.

Usually yes. The published list covers what we hold in stock; beyond it we regularly buy duplex and super duplex stainless, cobalt chrome, Monel, Hastelloy, Invar, beryllium copper, PPS, PVDF and customer-nominated grades. Supplying the standard, grade and any required certification with your enquiry lets us confirm availability and lead time accurately.

The 2D drawing governs, and we will contact you before cutting anything. Discrepancies between model and print are one of the most common causes of rejected parts across this industry, so our programmers are instructed to stop and ask rather than assume. If you work model-based (MBD) with no 2D drawing, say so and we will treat the annotated model as the controlling document.

Yes. We fit bearings, seals, dowels, helicoils and fasteners, press and glue sub-components, test rotation, torque and leak-tightness, and ship finished assemblies. Bought-in items such as motors, sensors or standard hardware can be sourced and consolidated by us, which turns a multi-supplier bill of materials into a single line on your purchase order.

Every shipment includes a certificate of conformity and a dimensional report covering the critical dimensions. Full-dimension reports with an actual measured value for every characteristic, AS9102 first-article reports, PPAP packages, material certificates to EN 10204 3.1 and CMM scan data are available — specify what you need at enquiry stage so the cost is in the quotation rather than added later.

Send photographs and your measurement data and we open a non-conformance report the same day. Where we are at fault we remake or repair the parts at our cost and expedite the replacement, and you receive an 8D report with root cause and corrective action. We would rather absorb the cost of a remake than argue about a tolerance — the relationship is worth more than the batch.

Yes, and we welcome both. Customer audits can be arranged with two weeks' notice, and third-party inspection by SGS, Bureau Veritas, TÜV or Intertek is routine — we will coordinate scheduling, provide documentation in advance and give the inspector access to the shop floor, records and metrology room.

Machined prototypes ship in 3 to 7 working days. Low-volume production runs 12 to 20 working days, and series production is scheduled against your forecast. Lead time is stated firmly in the quotation and measured from receipt of your purchase order and approved drawings, not from some later internal date.

DDP, DAP, FOB, CIF and EXW are all available. Air freight via DHL, FedEx or UPS takes 3 to 6 days to Europe and North America; sea freight takes 25 to 40 days and makes sense above roughly 200 kg. We handle export documentation, HS classification and customs paperwork, and DDP means the price you approve is the price you pay with nothing collected at your door.

For a first order we normally ask 50 % on order and 50 % before shipment. Established customers move to net 30 or net 60 terms after a short trading history. We accept telegraphic transfer, letter of credit for larger orders, and PayPal or credit card for prototype-scale invoices. Quotations are firm for 30 days.

Send the part number and quantity — nothing else. The programme, fixture, tooling list and inspection plan are archived under that part number and revision, so a repeat order runs the same process that produced the approved first article. Repeat lead times are typically 20 to 30 % shorter than the original because setup development is already done.

Yes — before you send any files, if you prefer. We will sign your NDA template or provide our own mutual agreement, usually returned the same day. Tick the NDA box on the quotation form and we will send the paperwork before you upload anything sensitive.

Uploaded files are transmitted over TLS, stored outside the public web root on access-controlled servers, and are readable only by the engineering and sales staff assigned to your enquiry. They are never shared with subcontractors without your written approval, never used as marketing material, and are deleted on request. Machine-shop copies are printed controlled documents that are withdrawn when the job closes.

Your design remains entirely yours. Tooling you pay for — injection moulds, dedicated fixtures, gauges — is your property; we store and maintain it free of charge while you order from us, and release it to you or to another supplier on request. We never produce your parts for anyone else.