Buyer Resources & Technical Guides

These references are written to remove ambiguity before money and lead time are quoted.

Start with the drawing. The tolerance guide explains what a shop can actually hold on milled, turned and ground features, and why a blanket ±0.01 mm on every dimension raises cost without improving function. Mark only the fits that matter, give a datum scheme and specify the thread standard — BSP, NPT and metric threads look alike but do not seal against each other.

Choose material with the process in mind. The A2-70 versus A4-80 comparison covers stainless fastener strength classes and chloride exposure; the casting versus forging article explains when a near-net shape saves material and when grain flow justifies forging. The aluminum finishes guide compares anodizing, powder coating and plating by film thickness, wear and masking of mating faces.

Then settle commercial terms. The Incoterms 2020 guide clarifies where risk transfers under FOB, CIF and DDP, who pays destination charges, and which insurance cover is actually included. The RFQ checklist pulls drawing, quantity bands, inspection documents, packing and shipping terms into one copy-ready list.

Use them as a shared reference. Send the relevant guide to your design team and your other suppliers so every quotation is based on the same assumptions. Comparable quotes are worth more than a low headline price built on a different tolerance, finish or delivery term.