Can I get a quote without a 3D CAD file?

You can get a rough estimate from a 2D drawing, but an accurate firm quote requires a 3D model for CAM programming. Quoting from drawings alone often leads to pricing errors because complex geometry is difficult to estimate from 2D views. STEP files are the standard exchange format.

How many suppliers should I send an RFQ to?

Three is the sweet spot. One quote gives you no price reference; two gives you a comparison; three gives you a market check. Sending to more than five creates administrative overhead and often results in recycled or generic quotes because the shop knows the win probability is low.

Should I provide a target price in my RFQ?

It depends. If you have a hard cost target, sharing it can help the shop suggest design modifications or material alternatives to hit that target. If you are testing the market, omit it; a target price can anchor the quote higher than the shop would have offered.

How fast should I expect a quote back?

Simple turned or milled parts: 48 hours. Complex multi-axis parts with tight tolerances: 2-3 business days. PPAP-level quotes with full documentation requirements: 3-5 business days. If a quote takes longer than a week, either the shop is very busy or something in your package needs clarification.

Do I need to provide my own material for machining?

Not typically. Most CNC shops source material directly from certified distributors and include it in the quote. Consigned material (customer-supplied) is an option if you have a specific certified material source or free-issue material, but it generally does not reduce cost and adds logistics complexity.

How to Request a CNC Machining Quote: RFQ Best Practices

Why incomplete RFQs slow everything down

TruPart processes over a thousand RFQs per year. The number one cause of quote delay is missing information. When a drawing arrives without material specified, or a STEP file without tolerances, the engineer has to stop and email the buyer. That email exchange can add 2-3 days to the quote turnaround. Meanwhile, the buyer is waiting, and urgent jobs get pushed back.

Worse than delay: when assumptions are made to fill in the blanks, the quote may be based on the wrong material, the wrong tolerance class, or the wrong finish. The part then gets quoted cheaper or more expensive than it should be, and the discrepancy only surfaces at order time. A complete RFQ on day one prevents this entire category of problem.

Technical documents: drawings and CAD files

Send two things for every part: a 2D drawing (PDF) with all dimensions, tolerances, GD&T, material specification, surface finish, and any special requirements; and a 3D CAD file (STEP or IGES format). The 3D file drives CAM programming and gives the programmer the actual geometry; the 2D drawing conveys tolerances and specifications that do not live in the CAD model.

PDF drawing: fully dimensioned with tolerances, GD&T datums, material spec, finish callouts, revision number
STEP file (preferred) or IGES: solid model for CAM toolpath generation; STEP is more reliable than IGES for geometry transfer
Native CAD files (SolidWorks, Inventor, Creo): useful if available but not required — STEP is the universal exchange format
Assembly drawings: if the part interacts with other components, an assembly drawing clarifies functional requirements
Revision control: clearly mark revision level on all documents; match the drawing revision to the STEP file revision

Specify material explicitly

"Aluminum" is not a material specification. Aluminum 6061-T6 and 7075-T6 machine differently, cost differently, and have different mechanical properties. "Stainless steel" could mean 303, 304, 316, 17-4 PH, or 440C — each with different machinability, corrosion resistance, and cost (303 free-machining is roughly half the price of 17-4 PH per kg).

Specify the alloy, temper, and any material standard. Examples: "Aluminum 6061-T6 per ASTM B221," "Stainless Steel 316L per ASTM A276," "Titanium Ti-6Al-4V Grade 5 per AMS 4928." If you do not know the exact alloy, describe the functional requirements (e.g., "needs to be corrosion-resistant in saltwater, non-magnetic, 80+ ksi tensile") and let the shop recommend.

State quantities, target dates, and finish requirements

Quote price depends heavily on quantity. A 1-piece prototype and a 1000-piece production run use different machining strategies, different tooling, and different setup approaches. Provide the immediate order quantity and any projected annual volume. This allows the shop to suggest process optimizations for higher volumes.

Information to Provide	Why It Matters	Example
Order quantity + annual volume	Drives setup vs. cycle time optimization	50 pcs now, 500/year projected
Target delivery date	Determines scheduling priority; rush may cost more	Need in 3 weeks for assembly
Surface finish	Affects process steps, tooling, and cost	Ra 1.6 μm all over, Ra 0.8 on sealing face
Anodizing/plating/coating	Requires outside vendor scheduling and adds lead time	Type II clear anodize per MIL-A-8625
Certification/FAI requirements	PPAP/FAI/CMM reports add documentation time	FAI with CMM report per AS9102 on first run
Packaging requirements	Special packaging adds cost; standard is fine for most	Standard packaging, no special requirements

Tolerances: specify what matters

Tolerances are the single biggest price driver that buyers consistently under-specify or over-specify. If your drawing shows ±0.005 mm on every dimension, the price will be high and the shop will question whether you actually need that. If you show no tolerances at all, the shop will quote to a standard tolerance class (±0.1 mm is typical for general CNC work), which may not be tight enough for functional features.

Best practice: use a general tolerance block (e.g., "ISO 2768-mK" or "±0.1 mm unless otherwise specified") and call out tighter tolerances only on dimensions that matter for fit or function. Reference our tolerance guide for what is achievable at different price points.

Send a complete RFQ package

Put everything in one email or upload: PDF drawings, STEP files, quantity, material, finish, target date, and any certification requirements. Number the parts clearly (Part 1 of 3, Part 2 of 3, etc.) and match filenames to part numbers. This simple organization prevents the most common follow-up questions and typically gets you a quote within 48 hours.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I get a quote without a 3D CAD file?
You can get a rough estimate from a 2D drawing, but an accurate firm quote requires a 3D model for CAM programming. Quoting from drawings alone often leads to pricing errors because complex geometry is difficult to estimate from 2D views. STEP files are the standard exchange format.
How many suppliers should I send an RFQ to?
Three is the sweet spot. One quote gives you no price reference; two gives you a comparison; three gives you a market check. Sending to more than five creates administrative overhead and often results in recycled or generic quotes because the shop knows the win probability is low.
Should I provide a target price in my RFQ?
It depends. If you have a hard cost target, sharing it can help the shop suggest design modifications or material alternatives to hit that target. If you are testing the market, omit it; a target price can anchor the quote higher than the shop would have offered.
How fast should I expect a quote back?
Simple turned or milled parts: 48 hours. Complex multi-axis parts with tight tolerances: 2-3 business days. PPAP-level quotes with full documentation requirements: 3-5 business days. If a quote takes longer than a week, either the shop is very busy or something in your package needs clarification.
Do I need to provide my own material for machining?
Not typically. Most CNC shops source material directly from certified distributors and include it in the quote. Consigned material (customer-supplied) is an option if you have a specific certified material source or free-issue material, but it generally does not reduce cost and adds logistics complexity.