Super-Ingenuity (SPI)

CNC Machining & Injection Molding — DFM/Moldflow Support, CMM Inspection, Prototype to Production Solutions.

ISO 9001 & IATF 16949 CERTIFIED
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CAD Ready: STEP, IGES, STL supported

CNC & Molding Quotation in 24–48 Hours with Transparent Pricing

A manufacturing quotation is a detailed pricing proposal based on your CAD files, material specifications, tolerances, quantities, and delivery requirements. A clear quotation helps you control cost, lead time, and production risks before manufacturing begins.

Upload your drawings and receive an engineer-reviewed quotation with a full cost breakdown, clear lead time, and manufacturability feedback — typically within 24–48 hours.

  • STEP / IGES / PDF supported
  • NDA protected
  • ISO 9001 & IATF 16949 certified

What Information Is Required for an Accurate Quotation

Providing complete and clear information helps our engineers evaluate manufacturability faster and avoid pricing revisions later. Below is what we recommend submitting for the most accurate quotation.

Quotation information checklist for CNC machining

Required Information and Why It Matters

Required Information Why It Matters
CAD files (STEP / IGES) Must-have Defines geometry and machining paths
Technical drawings (PDF) Must-have Clarifies tolerances and critical dimensions
Material & grade Must-have Directly impacts material cost and machinability
Quantity Must-have Affects setup cost and unit pricing
Surface finish Recommended Determines secondary processing cost
Target lead time Recommended Influences scheduling and pricing
Delivery terms (Incoterms) Recommended Impacts logistics and total cost

Engineer’s Tip

Including GD&T and clearly marking critical dimensions can significantly reduce quotation time and improve pricing accuracy.

Quotation Preparation Best Practices

Submitting drawings is easy, but preparing them properly can save time, reduce cost, and avoid unnecessary back-and-forth. The following best practices help ensure a smooth quotation process.

  • Use STEP or IGES files as the primary 3D model.
  • Attach a PDF drawing to clarify tolerances and notes.
  • Highlight critical functional dimensions on your drawings.
  • Specify material grade and any approved substitute materials.
  • Separate prototype quantity from mass production quantity.
  • Indicate any special inspection or documentation needs (FAI, CMM reports, PPAP, etc.).

Common Quotation Mistakes to Avoid

Many quotation delays and price revisions come from incomplete or unclear information. Avoid the following common mistakes to receive a faster and more accurate quote.

  • Uploading incomplete or outdated drawings that do not reflect the current design.
  • Missing tolerance information on key features such as bores, shafts, and sealing faces.
  • Not specifying surface finish requirements where appearance or function matters.
  • Omitting quantity or batch size, making it unclear whether the RFQ is for prototype, pilot run, or mass production.
  • Ignoring delivery expectations or deadlines, which affects both scheduling and pricing.

How Is the Quotation Price Calculated

Our quotation is based on a transparent cost structure. Each quote reflects the real manufacturing effort required to produce your parts reliably and consistently.

Machining Cost

Based on machine type, cycle time, tool wear, and setup complexity.

  • Machine type — different CNC, 5-axis and Swiss-type machines have different hourly rates.
  • Cycle time — how long each part stays on the machine according to geometry and tolerances.
  • Tool wear — harder materials and very small tools increase tool consumption.
  • Setup complexity — multi-side fixturing and frequent changeovers add setup cost.

Material Cost

Includes raw material price, material grade, and expected scrap rate.

  • Raw material price — depends on alloy, grade and stock size.
  • Material grade — higher performance alloys are usually more expensive and harder to machine.
  • Scrap rate — deep pockets, thin walls or complex shapes remove more material and generate more waste.

Secondary Processes

Surface finishing, heat treatment, coating, or other post-processing steps.

  • Surface finishing — anodizing, plating, blasting, polishing and painting add extra process steps.
  • Heat treatment & coating — hardening, tempering or functional coatings extend lead time and require additional control.

Quality & Documentation

Inspection time, measurement reports, certifications, and traceability requirements.

  • Inspection time — first article checks, sampling or 100% inspection add CMM and operator time.
  • Reports & certifications — measurement reports, material certificates and traceability documents increase engineering work.

Why Quotation Prices Can Vary

Quotation differences between projects — or even between suppliers — are normal. Several technical factors can significantly affect pricing.

  • Material machinability and availability
  • 3-axis vs 5-axis machining requirements
  • Tolerance tightness and inspection level
  • Batch size and repeatability
  • Rush orders or shortened lead times

Quotation Process & Timeline

We keep our quotation workflow transparent so you always know where your RFQ is and when to expect a price.

Our Quotation Process

  1. File Upload & NDA Confirmation

    You send 3D models, drawings and RFQ details. If required, we sign or return your NDA so that data is fully protected before review.

  2. Engineering Review

    Our engineers check manufacturability, tolerances, materials and surface treatments, and may suggest optimizations if anything affects cost or risk.

  3. Cost Calculation & Internal Validation

    We select the right machine type, estimate cycle time, add material and secondary processes, and validate pricing with production and quality teams.

  4. Quotation Sent

    For standard parts and small-to-medium batches, you typically receive a detailed quotation within 24–48 hours.

    24–48h standard SLA

Quotation Workflow, Cost Structure & Version Control

To ensure speed, accuracy, and audit-ready traceability, SPI follows a structured quotation workflow, supported by clear role ownership, standardized cost calculation, and controlled quotation version tracking.

Role & Responsibility Matrix (Quotation Process)

Stage Owner(s) Key Tasks SLA
Request Intake Sales Representative Log RFQ, record requirements, acknowledge customer ≤ 4 hours
Technical Review Process Engineer & Supervisor Feasibility analysis, process planning, risk identification ≤ 24 hours
Material / Subcontract Review Materials Control Verify material stock & certificates, assess subcontract lead time Parallel
Cost Calculation Cost Accountant & Sales Manager Calculate direct & indirect costs, define margin ≤ 48 hours
Quotation Draft Sales Representative Populate quotation template, attach technical data ≤ 4 hours
Internal Approval Sales Manager / Deputy GM Approve price, terms, and delivery conditions ≤ 4 hours
Delivery & Follow-Up Sales & Customer Service Send quotation, confirm receipt, follow-up ≤ 1 business day
Version Control Sales Representative Issue revisions, update CRM records Immediate

Cost Breakdown & Price Calculation (Example)

Cost Item Basis Unit Cost Qty Subtotal
Material BOM × unit price ¥50.00 / kg 2 kg ¥100.00
5-Axis CNC Machining Machine hours US$200 / h 1 h US$200.00
Swiss Lathe Machining Machine hours US$150 / h 0.5 h US$75.00
Injection Molding Mold + per-piece US$500 + US$5 / pc 100 pcs US$1,000.00
Subcontract Heat Treatment Batch fee US$80 / batch 1 batch US$80.00
Inspection & QA Per piece US$2 / pc 100 pcs US$200.00
Administrative Overhead 10% of direct cost 10% applied
Target Margin ≥ 20% Applied

Note: Figures shown are illustrative examples. Actual quotations are calculated using verified costs and a single confirmed currency.

Quotation Version & Status Tracking

Version Date Status Customer Feedback Next Action
V1.0 2025-05-20 Sent Confirm receipt within 1 day
V1.1 2025-05-22 Revised Request for 10% discount Recalculate costs & re-approve
V1.2 2025-05-24 Pending Expedited lead time requested Coordinate production & update delivery
V1.3 2025-05-26 Valid & Pending PO Customer preparing PO Follow up on PO confirmation

Page Table of Contents

Case Browsing(Quotation Parts)

FAQ – Quotation & RFQ

Answers to the most common questions about our quotation process for CNC machining, injection molding and rapid manufacturing projects.

How fast do you quote? +

For most RFQs with complete data, we return a quotation within 24–48 hours. If drawings are incomplete or involve multiple subcontract steps (for example anodizing for 5-axis CNC parts or texture for injection molding ), we will send clarification questions and a new ETA.

What file format gives the fastest quotation? +

The fastest and most accurate combination is a 3D STEP or IGES file + a PDF drawing. The 3D model defines the geometry and machining strategy, while the PDF drawing lists tolerances, surface finishes and any notes that affect price.

How do you calculate price? Will you change it later? +

Our quotation is built from materials + machine time + tooling + secondary processes + quality documentation. Once scope is agreed and there are no drawing changes, we do not “price creep”. For plastic tooling projects we will compare rapid tooling versus full export mold production to find the best fit.

Why does tolerance affect price so much? +

Tighter tolerances require slower cutting parameters, more re-clamping and additional inspection. They also increase scrap risk. On features such as bores, shafts and sealing faces, even a small change from ±0.01 mm to a standard fit can significantly reduce machining time and cost.

What tolerances can you typically achieve? +

For standard CNC machining, our typical capability is ±0.01 mm. On critical features (for example in complex 5-axis parts or Swiss-turned shafts ), tighter limits such as ±0.002 mm may be validated case by case, supported by CMM and process capability (CPK) reports.

Which documents and compliance can you provide? +

We can supply material and heat-treat certificates, RoHS/REACH declarations, CMM reports, and customer-specific documentation such as PPAP, FAI/AS9102 where required. Export molds follow standard export mold documentation.

Can you sign an NDA? +

Yes. You can upload your own NDA or use our template. For early design validation, we often combine NDA protection with 3D printing or plastic models so you can test form and fit without disclosing full production data.

How long is a quotation valid? +

Unless otherwise stated, our quotations are typically valid for 30 days. For projects with volatile material prices or special alloys, we may specify a shorter validity or update the quote based on the latest material rates.

Can I request cost optimization suggestions? +

Absolutely. Our engineers can review your design and propose alternatives: relaxing non-critical tolerances, changing wall thickness, choosing a more common alloy, or switching between 5-axis CNC machining , Swiss turning and injection molding when volumes justify it.

How do I reduce cost without changing function? +

Consider batching quantities on complex 5-axis parts , relaxing cosmetic finishes, and using 3D printed prototypes to validate design before cutting hard tooling. We can highlight which dimensions and features drive the most cost in your quotation.

Can you work with customer-specified materials or AVL? +

Yes. Please state the required material grade, specification and approved vendors in your RFQ. For plastic tooling and injection molding , we can follow your resin brands, color codes and texture standards according to your AVL.

Still have questions? Include them in your RFQ email and our engineering team will address them directly in the quotation or a short DFM report.

Ready to Get an Accurate Manufacturing Quotation?

Upload your CAD files and receive a clear, engineer-reviewed quotation with full cost breakdown, lead time, and manufacturability feedback — typically within 24–48 hours.

  • NDA protected
  • No obligation to order
  • Engineer support included
Upload CAD Files for a Fast Quote

Not ready to upload files yet? Contact our engineers for quotation guidance

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Partner with SPI

Work With a CNC & Mold Manufacturer You Can Audit

Welcome to SPI — an ISO9001/IATF16949-focused CNC machining and injection molding partner in Dongguan, China.

We combine tight-tolerance machining, documented inspection and responsive engineering support to help you move from RFQ to stable production faster, with full traceability and audit-ready quality records.

Share your drawings and requirements — our engineers can suggest practical tolerances, surface finishes and inspection plans before you lock your RFQ.

Go to Contact Us & Request a Quote

Use the Contact Us form to upload STEP/IGES files and add notes about tolerances, surface finish and inspection.

Prefer email? Reach us via the form on the Contact Us page and ask to be added to our CNC DFM mailing list.

SPI CNC and mold manufacturing facility in Dongguan, China
On-site audits & factory visits welcome