FAQ
The questions we get asked first. If yours isn't here, email us.
01 / 04 Section
Engagement
How do you make money?
How do you make money?
Our fee is inside the per-unit price you see. One line item, no markups you find later. For tooling-heavy programs we sometimes work on a flat project fee so you can see the factory's price separately. We tell you which before you approve the quote.
Do you sign NDAs?
Do you sign NDAs?
Yes. Before we look at your drawings, before we share them with any factory. If you don't have one, ours is ready.
What's the minimum order size you take on?
What's the minimum order size you take on?
We take on prototype and low-volume programs (single units through hundreds) through high-volume production (10,000+ per year). The fit depends more on the process and complexity than the quantity. Some processes like injection molding have meaningful setup costs that make very small batches uneconomic without existing tooling.
How long from inquiry to first quote?
How long from inquiry to first quote?
Under 48 hours for most inquiries. Complex multi-process programs or unusual materials can take longer. We'll confirm the turnaround within 24 hours of receiving your drawings.
02 / 04 Section
Process
What do you need from me?
What do you need from me?
To start a conversation: a description, a sketch, or a photo. To give you a rough number: same thing plus a rough quantity. To give you a real quote: drawings or CAD, material, and quantity. We help you get from one to the other.
Do you do DFM (design for manufacturability) review?
Do you do DFM (design for manufacturability) review?
Yes, on every program. Before tooling is cut, we run a DFM review with the factory's engineering team covering draft angles, wall thicknesses, tolerance stack-ups, gate locations, and assembly considerations. Most issues we catch save weeks of rework later.
Who owns the tooling?
Who owns the tooling?
You do. Tooling you pay for is your property. We document this in the engagement agreement. If you ever want to move production, the tool moves with you.
Can you manage multi-process assemblies?
Can you manage multi-process assemblies?
Yes. Programs that combine CNC, injection molding, and fabrication under a single BOM are common. We coordinate across the factories and manage the assembly handoff.
03 / 04 Section
Quality
Are the factories certified?
Are the factories certified?
Yes. ISO 9001 is the baseline. Every factory in our network has it. If your part needs more (automotive, aerospace, or medical), we route to factories with IATF 16949, AS9100, or ISO 13485 as appropriate. We confirm the right fit before we quote.
What kind of inspection do you do?
What kind of inspection do you do?
Every program includes pre-shipment inspection against your approved first article and drawing specifications. We can add in-process inspection (inline measurement, SPC charts) and PPAP documentation on programs that need it.
What if a shipment fails inspection?
What if a shipment fails inspection?
Nothing ships without your sign-off on the inspection report. If a shipment fails inspection, we work with the factory to rework or replace before release. The commercial terms for quality escapes are defined in the engagement agreement.
04 / 04 Section
Logistics and IP
Where are your factories located?
Where are your factories located?
Our network spans Europe and Asia, selected by process capability and program fit rather than geography. For each inquiry we propose the region that best matches your cost, lead time, and compliance constraints.
How do you protect my designs?
How do you protect my designs?
Three layers. We sign NDAs with both you and any factory we share drawings with. We share specs with no more than two or three factories per program. We do not share your company identity until you authorize us to do so.
What Incoterms do you work with?
What Incoterms do you work with?
We quote on your preferred terms. Most programs settle on EXW, FOB, or DAP depending on the destination and your existing freight contracts. We can manage the full logistics chain on DDP terms if you prefer a single invoice.
What happens if a factory goes down or misses a deadline?
What happens if a factory goes down or misses a deadline?
For ongoing programs we maintain at least one qualified alternate source for the critical parts. For single-source programs, we manage the escalation directly and keep you informed. Our reputation depends on delivery. We treat factory failures as our problem, not yours.