by Chris Anjel | Aug 26, 2026 | Uncategorized
Quote revisions are a fact of life in digital manufacturing. A customer changes a material, adds a finishing requirement, or adjusts quantities after you’ve already sent a quote. Without a structured process, these changes create confusion, version-control...
by Chris Anjel | Aug 26, 2026 | Uncategorized
Most shops treat quoting and production as separate worlds. Sales builds the quote, wins the order, then tosses it over the wall to the floor. The problem? That wall is where momentum dies.When quoting data doesn’t flow into production planning, you get...
by Chris Anjel | Aug 26, 2026 | Uncategorized
Low-volume and prototype jobs are a staple for digital manufacturers, yet they’re where margins most often evaporate. A single setup, a custom fixture, or an hour of CAM programming can consume the entire revenue from a five-part order if the quote doesn’t...
by Chris Anjel | Aug 26, 2026 | Uncategorized
Every digital manufacturing shop has at least one estimator who just knows things. They know which aluminum alloy machines cleanly without built-up edge. They know the exact infill percentage that balances strength and print time for a specific FDM material. They know...
by Chris Anjel | Aug 26, 2026 | Uncategorized
If you run a 3D printing service bureau or a laser cutting shop, you already know nesting is one of the biggest levers for profitability. Packing multiple customer parts — or combining a customer part with internal test coupons — onto one build plate reduces material...
by Chris Anjel | Aug 26, 2026 | Uncategorized
Every digital manufacturer knows the drill: a new RFQ lands in your inbox with a STEP file, an STL, maybe a Parasolid — sometimes all three for the same part. One file is watertight. Another has flipped normals. A third is missing critical features because the export...
by Chris Anjel | Aug 26, 2026 | Uncategorized
Every RFQ lands with a bundle of attachments: a STEP file for the geometry, an STL for the additive build, a PDF drawing with GD&T callouts, a spreadsheet BOM, and maybe a Word doc listing post-process requirements. Before your estimator can even start pricing,...
by Chris Anjel | Aug 26, 2026 | Uncategorized
Every shop has done it: a customer sends an RFQ, and you pad the quote “just in case.” Maybe you round up material costs, add extra setup hours, or inflate machine rates to cover unknowns. It feels like smart risk management. In reality, it’s often...
by Chris Anjel | Aug 26, 2026 | Uncategorized
Multi-material jobs are increasingly common in digital manufacturing. A single RFQ might call for a CNC-machined aluminum housing with 3D-printed polymer inserts, or a sheet metal enclosure with overmolded seals. These projects command higher margins — but only if...
by Chris Anjel | Aug 26, 2026 | Uncategorized
You receive an RFQ for a complex CNC part with thin walls, deep pockets, and tight tolerances that will require multiple setups. The customer wants a price by end of day. You have two choices: quote it as-is and hope they accept the cost and lead time, or tell them...
