When it comes to completing a request for quote, no detail is too minor to include. But being human, even the most conscientious of us can miss small but important details, such as surface finish requirements.
Picture it: You’ve created an RFQ that seems to provide everything a provider could possibly need to deliver an accurate and timely cost estimate. Your RFQ includes the part’s diameters, length, and tolerances, engineering drawings, and even material specifications.
What could possibly go wrong?
Does your purchase order agree with your RFQ?
Whenever a purchase order does not reflect what was quoted, there can be issues. This is especially true when those differences require additional steps in the production process.
Have you omitted any secondary operations from your RFQ?
Metal finishing processes, from adding a radius to polishing, sandblasting, and tumbling, add extra steps to a part cutoff operation. Even it the secondary operation is performed by a third party, there may be details your manufacturing partner needs to know.
Does your supplier know how the surface finish relates to your part’s end use?
Understanding the end application of a part can help your supplier make important decisions about how to achieve the dimensions, tolerance, and surface finish you need.
Does your supplier know what standards you use?
Different standards might apply based on your application, business, or industry. By specifying your standards in your RFQ, you can ensure you and your supplier are in sync.
How do the processes you requested affect the overall project?
Some requests not only add a secondary process, but also impact the raw material that must be ordered.
Have you included an accurate and helpful engineering drawing?
Providing a complete, detailed drawing goes a long way in getting an accurate quote and ensuring there are no last-minute surprises, for you or your supplier.
Did you include the parameters for quantifying surface roughness?
Did you know there are more than 100 quantitative parameters that can be used to describe and compare surface finish characteristics? Each parameter has pros and cons, specified by engineers based on how it will affect part performance.
Did you wait too long to specify surface finish details?
Requesting additional surface finish requirements after a part has already been made only creates complications. This can mean wasted material, time, labor, or significant cost overruns.
Did you include everything up front to improve the odds your supplier can help?
No matter the complexity of your RFQ or the number of steps in your production process, making sure your supplier is informed is a crucial step in optimizing manufacturability so you can achieve the results you need.
