BUYER GUIDE ·
How to specify a metal material
Turn “aluminum” or “steel” into a clearer purchasing specification.
RESOURCE CENTER
A better brief starts here.
Practical guidance for choosing materials, preparing drawings and reviewing a prototype.
BUYER GUIDE ·
A surface finish checklist for your RFQ
Specify appearance, function and masking together.
BUYER GUIDE ·
From a prototype to a repeatable batch
Make the sample approval specific enough to guide the next order.
DRAWING GUIDE ·
Prepare CAD drawings for a quote
Put geometry, critical requirements and order details in one consistent brief.
DESIGN DECISIONS
Work through the detail before you order.
Material choices, drawing packages and reference tables for your next part.
PRACTICAL GUIDE ·
Fillet vs Chamfer: Choosing Edges for CNC Machining →
Compare rounded fillets and flat chamfers, internal pocket corners and drawing callouts. Choose an edge detail around fit, function and machining access.
PRACTICAL GUIDE ·
5052 vs 6061 Aluminum: Sheet Metal or Machined Parts? →
Compare 5052 and 6061 around forming, machining, temper and welded joints. Work through a folded cover and machined base before choosing an alloy.
PRACTICAL GUIDE ·
Sheet Metal Gauge Chart: Steel, Stainless & Aluminum →
Compare six common sheet metal gauges in inches and millimeters. See why 16 gauge steel is not 16 gauge aluminum and how to specify thickness on a drawing.
PRACTICAL GUIDE ·
Assembly Drawing vs Part Drawing: What to Send for a Quote →
Build a machining quote package with assembly drawings, individual part drawings, a BOM and matching CAD revisions. Includes a quantity example and release checklist.
PRACTICAL GUIDE ·
6061 vs 7075 Aluminum: Which Alloy Suits Your Part? →
Compare 6061 and 7075 using published datasheet values for strength, machinability, welding and corrosion. Choose the alloy and temper around what the part actually has to do.
PRACTICAL GUIDE ·
Surface Roughness Chart: Ra, Rz and Drawing Callouts →
A surface roughness reference for Ra and Rz, with micrometre to microinch conversions, published route references and what a drawing callout needs to be measurable.
LET’S MAKE IT TANGIBLE
What are you working on?
Bring a drawing. Bring a sketch. Start the conversation.