When customers request quotes for machined parts, one of the first questions we hear is: How do my unique specifications influence cost?
The truth is, pricing isn’t just about raw material and machining time; it’s about design choices, finishing requirements, and the complexity of the part itself. At Reata, we believe in transparency and in helping customers make informed decisions to get the functionality they need without unnecessary costs.
The Value of Functional Design
When we review RFQs, our goal is to help customers arrive at the minimum viable design, a part that works exactly as intended, without features that drive costs without improving functionality. In many cases, what drives up the price of machined parts is design elements that could be simplified without compromising performance.
Features that drive higher costs
- Square or very small internal radii: These require specialized tooling and slow machining, increasing cost.
- Inconsistent radii across the part: Transitioning radii that vary throughout a design result in multiple tool changes and increased programming complexity.
- Extremely tight tolerances: Sometimes unavoidable, but even a slight loosening of tolerances can save significant cost.
- 3D surfaces and heat sink designs: Highly complex geometries require advanced 5-axis machining, longer cycle times, and more inspection.
- Custom inner diameters (IDs): Tubes with tight IDs often require custom tooling and more intensive measuring.
Our precision machine shop has the capability to manufacture even the most complex features, but we’ll also clarify whether or not our customers require features that could potentially drive costs without contributing functionality. Often, small changes can result in significant cost savings.
The impact of finishing requirements
Another major cost driver comes from finishing.
For instance, specifying “no machining marks” in an RFQ means that every part will need to be hand-polished or tumbled, adding hours of labor. Likewise, special masking requirements during plating or anodizing can increase the chance of fallout, which drives up cost.
Another area where this is especially noticeable is color anodizing. While black and clear are relatively consistent, custom shades like specific blues or reds are difficult to match over various production rounds. That variability introduces potential issues, including the potential for scrap, which in turn raises pricing.
The role of tooling, testing, and outside processes
Some designs require special tooling or complex testing procedures to verify quality. This isn’t a problem, especially for production parts, but it does add time to production and the overall cost.
Similarly, outside processes like heat treating, which are often unavoidable, will increase cost. Our customers in aerospace and medical often require these types of services, and while we’re equipped to manage these specifications, we always inform our customers of how they will impact both lead time and price.
Why Collaboration Matters
At Reata, we see ourselves as more than a machine shop; we’re a partner in engineering and manufacturing services. That’s why we emphasize Design for Manufacturing (DFM). When we see ways to reduce costs, we’ll suggest alternatives. And if a design is not feasible, we’ll let you know and offer solutions.
Here’s a recent example of how Reata collaborated to improve cost and manufacturability: A customer once asked us to quote an injection-molded part as a machined part for a low-volume run. Our team recommended adding radii to sharp corners so these components could be machined cost-effectively.
At Reata, we believe in the notion that cost always ties back to value. At the end of the day, our job isn’t simply to produce and deliver parts; it’s to help customers balance cost, function, quality, and consistency, and to make sure no dollar they spend goes to waste.
Request a quote from Reata to kick off a partnership based on value.