Introduction
Many RFQs fail before pricing even starts. Buyers send one photo, one rough dimension, and a message saying 鈥減lease quote.�?The supplier then guesses process, alloy, tolerances, machining scope, and annual volume. That is how projects get misquoted, delayed, or pushed into the wrong casting route.
A good RFQ does not need to be complicated. It just needs to contain the information that actually drives tooling cost, unit price, lead time, and quality risk. This checklist shows exactly what to send when requesting a quote for an aluminum casting project.
1. Part Drawing or 3D Model
The most important input is a usable drawing package. Ideally send:
- •2D PDF drawing with critical dimensions
- •3D file such as STEP, STP, or IGS
- •revision number and date
- •note on whether the drawing is frozen or still under development
Without a proper drawing, a supplier cannot reliably judge wall thickness, draft, machining stock, or gating risk. If your design is still in progress, say so clearly. That allows the supplier to treat the quote as a DFM-stage estimate rather than a production-ready price.
2. Target Casting Process
If you already know the process, state it up front. If not, ask for recommendation.
Typical options include:
- •Gravity casting for structural, thicker-wall, lower-porosity parts
- •Die casting for thin-wall, high-volume components
- •Low-pressure casting for pressure-tight or complex housings
- •Sand casting for prototypes, oversized parts, or low-volume runs
If you are unsure, include the annual volume and performance target. A good supplier should recommend process based on geometry, volume, and risk rather than pushing only one method.
3. Alloy Requirement
Alloy choice changes both process and performance. Common examples include:
- •A356 for heat-treatable structural parts
- •ZL114 for robust gravity cast industrial components
- •ADC12 for high-pressure die cast housings and covers
If you do not know the exact alloy, provide the part function and performance requirement instead. For example:
- •pressure-tight housing
- •outdoor corrosion resistance
- •structural mounting bracket
- •thin-wall electronic enclosure
That is enough for a manufacturer to narrow down a sensible alloy-process combination.
4. Annual Demand and Order Pattern
Tooling economics depend heavily on volume. Always tell the supplier:
- •estimated annual quantity
- •first order quantity
- •whether demand is stable, ramping, or uncertain
- •whether this is prototype, pilot, or mass production
The same part may be priced through different processes depending on whether you need 500 pieces per year or 50,000. Volume also affects whether automation, dedicated fixtures, or multi-cavity tooling make sense.
5. Machining Scope
Do not assume the supplier knows what is machined and what stays as-cast. State clearly:
- •which holes are machined
- •which sealing faces need CNC
- •thread requirements
- •datum surfaces
- •surface roughness where critical
- •whether machining is in-house or outsourced
If you have a balloon drawing or machining notes, include them. Machining can be a major share of final part cost, especially when tight positional tolerances are involved.
6. Quality and Inspection Requirements
Different buyers need different levels of inspection. Put that in the RFQ before the quote.
Examples:
- •dimensional report for first samples
- •X-ray for internal defect zones
- •leak testing for pressure parts
- •CMM report on critical features
- •alloy chemistry verification by spectrometer
- •PPAP Level 3 for automotive programs
If you require a formal quality package, say so. Otherwise suppliers may quote only basic visual and dimensional inspection, and the price comparison becomes misleading.
7. Surface Finish and Cosmetic Standard
For industrial castings, 鈥渟urface finish�?can mean very different things. Clarify whether you need:
- •as-cast finish
- •shot blasting
- •tumbling
- •powder coating or painting
- •anodizing
- •cosmetic A-surface appearance
This matters because some parts are purely functional while others are customer-facing. A bracket hidden inside a machine is judged differently from an exterior housing customers will see.
8. Heat Treatment and Special Testing
If the part needs specific properties, include them before quotation.
Typical requirements may include:
- •T5 or T6 heat treatment
- •tensile property targets
- •salt spray resistance
- •pressure test threshold
- •hardness range
- •metallographic review
This is especially important for gravity-cast A356 projects, where heat treatment and internal quality control can strongly affect both cost and delivery time.
9. Packaging and Logistics
Packaging can quietly change total cost. State:
- •export carton, wooden crate, or returnable packaging
- •single-part protection requirements
- •label/barcode rules
- •destination port or delivery term (EXW, FOB, CIF, DDP if relevant)
If the part has cosmetic surfaces or machined sealing faces, packaging should be defined early to avoid damage claims later.
10. Timeline Expectations
A useful RFQ also tells the supplier what speed you need.
Include:
- •target quote deadline
- •target sample date
- •target SOP date
- •whether tooling must be finished before a trade show, audit, or customer launch
At Bohua, a typical new-tool schedule is about 45 days from tooling kickoff to first sample for standard programs. But that only works when technical inputs are complete and stable.
A Simple RFQ Template Buyers Can Copy
Use this structure when contacting a supplier:
- •Part name:
- •Drawing revision:
- •2D/3D files attached:
- •Target process or request for recommendation:
- •Alloy:
- •Annual volume:
- •First order quantity:
- •Machining scope:
- •Inspection requirements:
- •Surface finish:
- •Packaging requirement:
- •Target sample date:
- •Notes / special concerns:
Even a short RFQ becomes far more quoteable when these fields are present.
Common RFQ Mistakes That Slow Everything Down
The most common mistakes are:
- •sending only photos with no drawing
- •not stating annual volume
- •not clarifying alloy or process goal
- •hiding tight tolerances until late stage
- •forgetting machining or leak-test requirements
- •asking multiple suppliers for quotes using different assumptions
These mistakes make quote comparisons meaningless. One supplier may assume die casting, another gravity casting, and another sand casting. The cheapest number on paper may simply be based on the wrong scope.
Why This Helps Buyers and Suppliers
A complete RFQ saves time on both sides. Buyers get more accurate pricing and fewer late surprises. Suppliers can respond faster, flag DFM risks earlier, and recommend a better route before tooling is released.
If you are still deciding between gravity casting and die casting, or between A356 and ADC12, say that directly in your RFQ. That invites real engineering feedback instead of a blind price guess.
Conclusion
A strong aluminum casting RFQ is not about sending more files. It is about sending the right information: drawing, alloy, volume, machining, inspection, finish, and timeline. With those basics in place, suppliers can quote faster and buyers can compare offers on equal ground.
If you want Bohua to review your drawing and suggest the best process before quotation, contact our engineering team. We can recommend the right casting route, alloy, and inspection plan based on your part requirements.