How to Quote Inspection and FAI Jobs

Quality requirements show up on RFQs in many forms: a simple dimensional check, a full First Article Inspection (FAI) to AS9102, or an in-process CMM schedule for a production run. Most shops treat these as afterthoughts — adding a flat $200 line item and hoping it...

How to Quote First Article Inspection

First Article Inspection (FAI) requests are becoming standard on more RFQs — not just in aerospace and defense, but increasingly in medical, automotive, and high-mix commercial work. Yet many digital manufacturing shops treat FAI as a line-item afterthought, adding a...

How to Quote Inspection and CMM Time

Most shops know how to quote machine time, material, and setup. Inspection is different. It doesn’t make chips, but it consumes capacity, ties up skilled operators, and determines whether a job ships or gets rejected. Underquote it and you eat the cost....

Quoting Inspection Costs Accurately

Most shops quote machining or printing time down to the minute, then slap a flat “inspection fee” on the line item and hope it covers the CMM run, the first-article report, and the occasional gauge R&R study. It rarely does. Inspection is where margin...

Quoting Parts That Need Inspection

You’ve seen the RFQ: a precision CNC part, tight tolerances, and a note at the bottom — “Full FAI required per AS9102” or “CMM report with every shipment.” The geometry looks straightforward, but that inspection line changes everything....