Don’t allow your fabrication order to be delayed, incur excess cost or engage in unnecessary communication through failure to supply vital information prior to issuing an enquiry.
Material Type and Grade
State the specific material you require (mild steel, stainless steel, aluminium etc) as well as the thickness of the sheets. For example, “stainless steel” is far too vague and can result in the wrong specification being quoted.
Drawing Format and Dimensions
DXF/DWG/STEP files are accepted for CAD data. It is highly recommended that a PDF version of the drawing is also supplied to the fabricator. It is best to dimension drawings in accordance with recognised engineering drawing standards i.e. drawings must be dimensioned for the intent of the designer to be clearly cross-checked against the designer’s model.
Required Tolerances
Set out required tolerances on the drawing. General tolerances are acceptable for simple products such as brackets but where the part forms a critical interface with another part then specific limits must be detailed on the drawing.
Finish and Surface Treatment
Specify the required finish (e.g. powder coating, anodising, zinc plating) and reference any specific colours or coating standards (e.g. RAL, BS 4800, aerospace coatings). Remember that fabricators can quote for open finish options that may not be suitable for your application.
Quantity and Delivery
Pricing for sheet metal fabrication changes at quantity levels for immediate needs and repeat orders. State your immediate quantity and anticipated repeat volumes. Also, state your required delivery date rather than accepting “as soon as possible”.
Hardware or Assembly Inserts
List the press-in nuts, studs, etc. that are required to be pressed into the fabricated part(s) together with the relevant Standard or Part number. For Sheet Metal Fabrication, see //dkmsheetmetal.co.uk.
A clear complete enquiry helps to get an accurate price list and enables a job to be started on time.
