The Customer
A robotics OEM developing a new family of cycloidal reducers and transmission modules reached out with a full component kit: 29 aluminum parts covering gears, cycloidal discs, shafts, frames, bearing support plates and modular wheels. This was a development-stage project — the 3D models were finalized, but the finished 2D drawings with formal tolerancing were not ready yet.
The Challenge
Quoting a development-stage kit is a different game than quoting a finished drawing. Three things made this RFQ hard:
- No 2D tolerance callouts — the engineering team needed pricing before the drawings were released, so we had to work from STEP models only
- Gear and cycloidal geometry — module 8 gears, cycloidal disc profiles and thin frame walls are exactly the features where machining cost and risk hide
- One kit, one supplier — the customer wanted a single partner for the whole family, which means shared fixtures, shared programs and one consistent quality system
Our Approach
Instead of waiting for the 2D drawings, we analyzed every STEP file first — volume, weight, feature count, wall thickness and the risky details that drive machining time. That analysis became a DFM review we shared with the customer before any pricing:
- Gear tooth accuracy and what it means for machining strategy and inspection
- Thin-wall frame sections and how to control distortion during machining
- Anodizing thickness and how it affects fit on precision bores and mating faces
- Long-shaft concentricity and the turning-plus-grinding strategy for critical diameters
With the risks identified, we shared a provisional budget for the whole kit — part by part — plus a firm commitment: when the finished 2D drawings arrive, exact pricing follows within 48 hours. The customer got a number to plan with and a clear path to a binding quote, without any rework on their side.
What the Customer Received
| Deliverable | Detail |
|---|---|
| STEP-based analysis | Volume, weight and machining-risk review of all 29 parts from 3D models |
| DFM review notes | Gear accuracy, thin walls, anodizing effects and shaft strategy — free, before quoting |
| Provisional budget | Part-by-part range for the full kit, ready for project planning |
| 48h exact pricing | Binding quote within 48 hours of receiving the finished 2D drawings |
Status
The customer confirmed the component scope and assigned a dedicated technical contact to the project. The finished 2D drawings are expected next — exact pricing will follow within 48 hours of receipt, with the DFM findings already baked into the process.
Development-stage kit with 3D models but no 2D drawings yet? Send us the STEP files — we will analyze, review and budget the kit while your drawings are still in progress.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you quote from STEP files without 2D drawings?
Yes — we analyze the 3D model directly (volume, weight, features, risk areas) and share a provisional budget. Exact pricing follows within 48 hours of the finished 2D drawing.
Is the DFM review really free?
Yes, on every inquiry. We flag gear accuracy, thin walls, anodizing effects and similar risks before quoting — it protects you from redesign costs and us from scrapped parts.
How different is the provisional budget from the final price?
Usually within ±20%. The provisional range is based on the 3D geometry; the exact price depends on the final tolerance and finish callouts on the 2D drawing.
Can you machine a whole gearbox kit in one order?
Yes — family parts share fixtures and programs, which lowers setup cost per part and keeps quality consistent across the kit.