In one paragraph: a complete RFQ contains seven things — drawing with datums, material grade, finish spec, quantities, application context, standards and a STEP file — and the payoff is concrete: engineering-reviewed answers, typically within 1–2 business days, with manufacturability feedback instead of a bare price.

The seven items

  1. Drawing with datums and dimensioning intent. Show where the part locates (GD&T or clear datum callouts) so tolerance meaning is unambiguous. Dimension only what matters.
  2. Tolerances on critical features only. Mark the handful of dimensions that carry function; leave the rest at the title-block general tolerance. Here is why blanket tight tolerances cost you money.
  3. Material grade, not just “aluminum”. 6061-T6 vs 6063 vs 7075 behave differently and price differently; Kovar vs 4J29 vs Invar are not interchangeable. The grade belongs on the drawing.
  4. Surface finish spec. For anodizing: type and thickness. For plating: stack and per-layer thickness (e.g. Cu/Ni/Au). For machined surfaces: Ra where it matters optically or for sealing.
  5. Quantities — prototype AND annual. Process choices differ between 5 pieces and 5,000; giving both numbers lets the supplier quote the right plan instead of the safe one.
  6. Application context. “Hermetic laser package, seals to borosilicate” changes the DFM conversation entirely versus “housing”. Two sentences of context prevent two rounds of questions.
  7. Standards and compliance. RoHS, drawing standards, cleanliness or packaging requirements — stated up front, not discovered after quote.

File formats: what to attach

STEP (AP214/AP242) is the universal machining format — solid, unambiguous, importable everywhere. Pair it with a PDF drawing for callouts that don’t live in the model. DWG/DXF works for 2D parts; native CAD files are welcome if you have them. The essential rule: the model and the drawing must agree, and the drawing wins on tolerance.

The four most common RFQ mistakes

  • Every dimension tight — multiplies cost on features that don’t need it (see item 2).
  • No datum scheme — tolerance stack becomes the supplier’s guess; the guess won’t match your inspection.
  • “Chrome it” level finish specs — plating without thickness and coverage callouts produces parts that pass incoming visual and fail in service.
  • Hiding the application — suppliers quote conservatively for mystery parts, aggressively for understood ones. Context is literally worth money.

What happens after you press send

At our shop: an engineer — not a sales script — reviews the package against process capability, flags tolerance and geometry risks, and returns DFM feedback together with the quote, typically within 1–2 business days. Drawings are treated as confidential, and an NDA is available on request. Prototype quantities can usually ship in days once the plan is agreed; series production gets inspection planning matched to your critical features.

The 60-second checklist

☐ Datums shown ☐ Critical tolerances marked ☐ Material grade specified ☐ Finish defined (type/thickness) ☐ Prototype + annual quantities ☐ Application in two sentences ☐ STEP + PDF attached

Ready? The RFQ form accepts PDF / STEP / DWG / DXF uploads, and every submission gets the engineering review described above.