by Chris Anjel | Aug 26, 2026 | Uncategorized
Every digital manufacturing shop knows the feeling: an RFQ lands in the inbox, the estimator drops everything to model, nest, and price it — only to discover the customer had no budget, vague specs, or was just fishing for a baseline. Meanwhile, real orders sit...
by Chris Anjel | Aug 26, 2026 | Uncategorized
Most digital manufacturers can quote a single bracket, housing, or fixture in minutes. But when a customer sends an RFQ for a 12-part assembly with mixed processes — three CNC parts, four sheet metal brackets, five 3D printed jigs — the quoting workflow often falls...
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...
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
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
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,...
