The minimum useful fabrication enquiry
If you have a manufacturing drawing, send it. The most useful enquiries normally include the drawing, material, thickness, quantity, required operations, finish, delivery postcode and required date. If a CAD file exists, attach that as well.
If you do not have a drawing, do not abandon the enquiry. A dimensioned sketch, an existing component, or clear photographs with key measurements may be enough for an initial discussion. Zeus can then tell you what is still needed before a firm quotation can be prepared.
1. Send the latest drawing revision
The drawing is the main definition of what is being bought. Check that the file you send is the current revision and that superseded versions are clearly marked. If several parts make one assembly, include the assembly drawing as well as the individual detail drawings where available.
2. State material and thickness
“Stainless” or “mild steel” may not be enough. If the grade is specified, include it. For stainless work, a drawing may call for 304L, 316L or another grade. Thickness influences cutting, forming, welding, weight and cost, so it should not be left to assumption.
3. Give a real quantity
One-off prototype, 5-off, 20-off and repeat batch production can produce different process decisions and setup economics. If you want prices at several quantities, say so clearly — for example 1 off, 10 off and 25 off — rather than asking for “best price” without a volume.
4. Mark critical dimensions and tolerances
Do not apply very tight tolerances to every dimension unless the design genuinely needs them. Over-tolerancing can make a simple fabrication unnecessarily expensive. Identify the interfaces that matter: hole positions, mating faces, overall envelope, shaft centres, flange positions or features that must line up with another part.
If a tolerance is safety-critical or function-critical, it belongs on the controlled drawing.
5. Include all forming requirements
Bends, folds, rolled sections, cones, transitions, hoppers and cylindrical work need enough geometry to understand the finished form. State inside/outside dimensions clearly and include angles, radii or developed information where the design controls them.
6. Define welding properly
Say which joints are welded and whether the welds are structural, sealing, cosmetic or process-related. Include weld symbols where the drawing uses them. For stainless TIG work, explain whether the bead remains visible, will be dressed or must blend into a polished finish.
If a welding procedure, qualification, inspection or certification is mandatory, state that before quotation. Do not assume a general fabrication enquiry automatically includes a regulated welding requirement.
7. Specify the final finish
- Raw/as-fabricated where appropriate
- Brushed or satin stainless
- Polished stainless
- Powder coating with colour/reference
- Any specialist finish called up by the drawing
For appearance-critical stainless, identify visible faces and grain direction. If the part must match existing equipment, include a close-up photograph or sample reference.
8. Tell the fabricator about supplied or mating parts
Some jobs depend on bought-in flanges, bearings, motors, pipe connections, fixings or customer-supplied components. State whether Zeus is expected to source them, fabricate around them, or receive them free-issued. Interfaces often affect both price and lead time.
9. Provide the delivery postcode
A quotation cannot sensibly account for transport without knowing where the finished parts are going. Large hoppers, cones, frames and assemblies can have handling requirements that small sheet-metal parts do not.
10. Give the required date — and say why it matters
If the job is tied to a shutdown, installation, machine build or customer delivery, provide the real required date. That is more useful than simply writing “urgent”. It lets the fabrication sequence and any subcontract operations be considered against an actual deadline.
Common reasons fabrication quotes get delayed
- No drawing or dimensions
- Material grade omitted
- Thickness missing
- Quantity unclear
- Finish described only as “standard”
- No distinction between critical and non-critical tolerances
- Old and new drawing revisions sent together
- Missing information about bought-in parts or mating equipment
- No delivery location
File formats
PDF drawings are useful for dimensions, notes and revisions. CAD files can help with profile and geometry information where available. Send what you have; Zeus can confirm which file is most useful for the particular job.
A simple enquiry checklist
| Information | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Drawing / CAD | Defines geometry and revision |
| Material + grade | Controls procurement and process |
| Thickness | Affects cutting, bending and welding |
| Quantity | Affects setup and batch economics |
| Tolerances | Shows what is function-critical |
| Welding | Defines joining and appearance |
| Finish | Controls final process and handling |
| Delivery + date | Allows realistic logistics and scheduling |
Frequently asked questions
Can I get a fabrication quote without a CAD drawing?
Yes, an initial enquiry can start from a clear sketch, photographs, an existing part or a PDF drawing. Zeus can tell you what additional information is needed before a firm manufacturing quote is issued.
What is the most important information on a sheet-metal quote request?
The drawing, material, thickness, quantity, critical tolerances, welding, finish, delivery postcode and required date give the clearest starting point.
Should I send the whole assembly or only the part I need fabricated?
Where several fabricated parts work together, send the assembly information as well as detail drawings. It helps the fabricator understand interfaces and the finished requirement.
Have a fabrication to price?
If this guide relates to a live job, send the drawing, material, thickness, quantity, finish, delivery postcode and required date. Zeus can then review the actual manufacturing requirement.
Send us your drawing