Efficient inquiry is key to improving procurement efficiency. This article will systematically organize an inquiry guide for you from the perspective of a professional foundry. It helps you reduce communication costs and get accurate and reliable quotes faster.
Five Key Elements for Efficient Inquiries
Whether for new product development or bulk procurement, providing clear, complete technical and commercial information is the foundation for quickly getting accurate quotes.
1. Clear drawings: Standard documents with dimensions, tolerances, and technical requirements
Drawings are the direct basis for casting process design. A standardized drawing should include:
| Dimension | Specific Requirements | QD Support Solutions |
| File Format | Priority should be given to providing standard PDF or STEP files with dimensions, tolerances, and technical requirements. | Supports multi-format parsing including PDF/STEP/DWG. Engineers complete drawing review within 2 hours. |
| Completeness of Key Information | Must mark dimensional tolerances, geometric tolerances, and surface roughness. | If the drawing information is incomplete, proactively provide tolerance suggestions (based on industry standards). |
| Explanation of Special Structures | If there are complex inner cavities or thin-walled structures, supplementary sectional views or text descriptions are required. | For complex structures, provide free castability analysis of the structure to avoid subsequent modifications. |
2. Clear material requirements: Grade or international standard
Different materials directly affect melting costs, process routes, and final performance.
Please try to provide:
- Material grades (e.g., 304, 316, CF8M, CA-15, etc.)
- Reference standards (e.g., ASTM A743, A351, EN 1.4301, etc.)
If not specified, you can explain the application scenario (such as corrosion resistance, high temperature resistance, food grade, etc.). We will recommend materials that meet the standards.
3. Annual demand volume: Prototypes, small-batch production, or mass production?
Quantity is the key factor in determining process plans and cost structures:
| Order Type | Recommended Process | Typical Features |
| Prototype/Sample | Silica Sol Precision Casting | Short lead time, low mold cost, suitable for design verification |
| Small Batch | Resin Sand/ Sodium Silicate Casting | Balance mold cost and unit price |
| Mass Production | Automated Production Line | Optimal unit price, dedicated tooling and molds required |
QD Advantage: We have multi-process integration capability and can flexibly recommend the most cost-effective process route based on your needs.
4. Post-processing Requirements: Machining, Heat Treatment, and Surface Treatment
Post-processing usually accounts for 30% to 50% of the total cost. Clarifying it in advance can avoid subsequent changes:
- Machining: Do you need full or partial machining? Provide the machining datum plane and requirements.
- Heat Treatment: Solution treatment, annealing, quenching, etc.? Are there any hardness requirements?
- Surface Treatment: Sandblasting, polishing, pickling and passivation, electroplating, etc.?
- Testing and Certification: Do you need mechanical property testing, PT/MT flaw detection, or material reports?
5. Final Application: Application Scenarios and Environmental Requirements
The service environment of a part determines its material selection, process standards, and inspection level.
For example:
- “Food machinery” → 316 material is recommended, with electrolytic surface polishing and compliance with FDA cleaning standards;
- “Offshore platforms” → High-grade stainless steel (e.g., duplex steel) is required, along with strict corrosion resistance testing;
- “Pump and valve components” → Compliance with API/ISO standards is needed, and hardfacing on sealing surfaces or special heat treatment is often required.
Specifying the final application helps the factory consider the product’s reliability and compliance more comprehensively.
Why is providing this information so important?
At QD, every inquiry is jointly reviewed by the sales, technical, and production teams. The more complete the information you provide, the better we can:
- Reduce the time spent on back-and-forth clarifications.
- Select the process route accurately.
- Identify potential risks in advance (e.g., unreasonable structure, overly strict tolerances, etc.).
- Recommend alternative solutions (e.g., material substitution, structural optimization) based on actual needs to help you save costs.
This not only speeds up the quoting process but also shows responsibility for the project.
Summary
By providing clear drawings, material specifications, quantity, post-processing requirements and application information, you can not only get high-quality quotes faster, but also work with us to create more cost-effective solutions.
If you have an upcoming project, welcome to upload technical documents via the inquiry platform on our official website, or contact your dedicated customer service directly. QD Casting Factory is willing to be your most reliable manufacturing partner!
QD Advantages
- Services cover multiple industries such as marine, medical, auto parts and military. It can proactively predict customer needs based on the database and provide more accurate material and process suggestions.
- Wide coverage in materials. From carbon steel, stainless steel to high-temperature alloys, material traceability reports are provided for all. It can also give free recommendations for suitable materials based on the service environment to avoid material selection mistakes.
- The workshop is equipped with CNC milling machines, grinders, heat treatment furnaces (supporting quenching and tempering, solution treatment and aging treatment) and passivation production lines, etc. It can complete machining, heat treatment and surface treatment, and has one-stop post-processing capability.
FAQ
1. Can a quote be provided without first giving the annual usage?
Reference prices can be provided. However, the final quote must be confirmed based on quantity. Different quantities mean different mold allocation costs, setup costs, and unit labor hours.
2. Can a quote be provided if the part is for military use (which requires confidentiality and makes detailed explanation inconvenient)?
Yes. QD has military confidentiality qualification. For classified projects, we will sign a confidentiality agreement. You only need to provide technical parameters (e.g., material, precision, environmental resistance). Our engineers will match military-standard solutions based on these parameters. This ensures the quote is accurate and information is secure.
3. Can I get a quote if I don’t have detailed drawings, only concept diagrams or samples?
Yes. We provide sample scanning, reverse modeling and collaborative design services. However, please note that quotes based on samples or concepts may have deviations. It is recommended to finalize the price after the drawings are confirmed.
4. Can QD help with material and process optimization?
Yes. We have a technical engineering center. It specifically provides Design for Manufacturing (DFM) suggestions for customers, including solutions for weight reduction, cost reduction and performance improvement.
5. What certifications and standards do you support?
We have obtained ISO 9001:2015 quality management system certification. Our products comply with standards such as ASTM, EN and GB. And we can provide reports like mechanical property testing reports.