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How it works: from part to production
Getting a part made through SSG MFG runs in three phases. Price it: build or upload the part and get an instant budgetary estimate with a DFM check. Quote it: send the RFQ, and a rep routes it to principals matched on process, certification and capacity, who return firm quotes. Make it: you place the PO, and the principal builds the tool, proves first article and ships.
What happens between a part and a delivery?
Eleven stages, one part: a molded PC/ABS housing at 10,000 pieces. Step through and each stage shows the document it produces. The estimate and DFM check are live.
Price it
Quote it
Make it
Price it · 1 of 11
Build or upload the part
You
Start from one of ten parametric templates and set the dimensions, or drop a STEP, IGES, STL, OBJ or 3MF file. Then pick the process, material, finish, tolerance, inspection level and quantity.
Part · housingIn the builder
- Geometry
- Open housing 140 mm × 90 mm × 36 mm, 2.2 mm wall, 1° draft, 4 bosses, 2 ribs
- Process
- Plastic injection molding
- Material
- PC/ABS
- Quantity
- 10,000 per order
- Tolerance
- ±0.005 in (±0.13 mm)
housing.stephousing-rev-b.pdf
Use the arrow keys to step through.
1 of 11 · next: Get a budgetary estimate
What is the difference between a budgetary estimate and a firm quote?
An estimate tells you what a part should cost, in seconds. A quote is what a named manufacturer will make it for. You need both, in that order.
| Attribute | Budgetary estimate | Firm quote |
|---|---|---|
| Who makes it | The SSG estimator, from the part's geometry and your settings | The principal that would make the part, after reviewing the drawing |
| When | Instantly, and again on every change | After the RFQ is routed and the drawing is reviewed |
| Based on | Cost models by process at typical US job-shop rates | The principal's own rates, equipment, material buys and schedule |
| How close | Typically ±15% to ±35%, shown as a range with a confidence level | The number you order at |
| Binding | No. It is for budgets, process choice and design trade-offs | Yes, for its validity period, often 30–90 days, on its stated terms |
| Covers | Piece price, tooling, setup, quantity breaks, lead time, DFM | The same, plus terms, tooling ownership, packaging, freight and any exceptions to the drawing |
What sets the estimate's range?
- High ±15%A template part, domestic sourcing, DFM clear or with two warnings at most.
- Medium ±25%An uploaded mesh, offshore sourcing, or three or more DFM warnings.
- Low ±35%Any DFM error, such as a material the process can't run or a wall that won't fill.
When should you skip the estimate and send the drawing?
- Tolerances tighter than ±0.001 in (±0.025 mm) or heavy GD&T, where inspection time drives the price.
- Assemblies, kits or parts with several processes, such as a machined casting that is then plated.
- Soft goods and wire forms whose cost sits in details a template can't describe.
- A drawing that is released and frozen. You need the firm number, not the budget.
What is in an RFQ packet?
Everything a principal needs to quote without calling you back. The builder fills most of it for you; the quote form asks for the rest.
- 3D model
- Geometry for tool design, CAM programming and cycle time. STEP reads in every CAD system.
- Quoted from the drawing alone, with wider pricing.
- 2D drawing
- Tolerances, GD&T, notes and finish callouts, which drive cost more than size does.
- Principals quote their standard tolerances, often ISO 2768-m, which may not be what you need.
- Material and finish
- Resin grade, alloy and temper, plating or coating spec, color.
- A question back before anyone can quote.
- Quantity and annual volume
- Sets the tool class, cavity count and price breaks.
- A quote built for a volume you never order.
- Target date
- Lets principals say up front whether their schedule works.
- Quotes with lead times you can't use.
- Inspection and certifications
- First article, PPAP level, and ISO 9001, IATF 16949, AS9100 or ISO 13485 when required.
- Added later, it means a requote and can change who is qualified.
- Ship-to and NDA
- Freight, region matching, and whether drawings need an NDA or are export-controlled.
- ITAR drawings must be flagged before any file is shared.
ItemWhy a principal needs itIf it is missing
The full checklist: How to write an RFQ. Terms: RFQ, first article, ISO 2768.
Nothing ships until the first article passes.
Who does what?
Three parties. You buy, the principal makes, and the SSG rep connects the two and stays on the job until it ships.
- You, the buyer
- Engineer, buyer or founder. You set the requirement, pick the quote and own the PO.
- SSG rep
- Reviews the RFQ, matches principals, presents quotes, negotiates, and follows up through delivery.
- Principal
- The manufacturer. Quotes, builds the tool, makes, inspects, documents and ships the parts.
| Stage | You | SSG rep | Principal |
|---|---|---|---|
| 01Build or upload the part | Leads | Not involved | Not involved |
| 02Get a budgetary estimate | Leads | Not involved | Not involved |
| 03Fix what DFM flags | Leads | Supports | Not involved |
| 04Send the RFQ | Leads | Not involved | Not involved |
| 05Review and match | Not involved | Leads | Not involved |
| 06Firm quotes come back | Supports | Leads | Leads |
| 07Place the PO | Leads | Supports | Supports |
| 08Tooling and samples | Supports | Supports | Leads |
| 09First article | Leads | Supports | Leads |
| 10Production, inspection, shipping | Not involved | Supports | Leads |
| 11Reorder | Leads | Supports | Supports |
Leads Supports
How can I start an RFQ?
Four ways in. They all end in the same place: a rep reviewing the RFQ and routing it to matched principals.
- 01
Part builder
Open the builder- Best for
- A design that is still moving, or a part that fits a template or a STEP file.
- You send
- The model and your settings. The estimate and DFM go with the RFQ.
- 02
Drawing upload
Send a drawing- Best for
- A finished drawing that needs firm quotes. Works in any browser, with or without JavaScript.
- You send
- STEP, IGES, STL, DXF, PDF or ZIP up to 25 MB, with quantity, material and date.
- 03
Phone or email
bob@ssgmfg.com- Best for
- Programs with many parts, assemblies, cost-down or reshoring projects, and anything easier to talk through.
- You send
- Call (813) 419-2590 or email drawings and a parts list. A rep builds the RFQ with you.
- 04
AI agent
Connect an agent- Best for
- Letting Claude, ChatGPT or your own agent price parts and draft the RFQ.
- You send
- Through the MCP server, the REST API or WebMCP. The agent asks you before it sends anything.
How long does it take from PO to parts?
It depends most on whether the part needs a tool. These are the plans an order opens with; the principal commits real dates.
PO to first shipment ≈ 72 days (10 weeks)
Molded, cast, stamped, drawn, forged, powdered metal and spring parts: the tool comes first.
- day 2PO acknowledged+2d
- day 7Tooling kickoff+5d
- day 42T1 samples+35d
- day 52First article approved+10d
- day 66Production run+14d
- day 72Shipped+6d
Typical lead times by process
| Process | Tooling | First article | Production |
|---|---|---|---|
| Injection molding | 3–14 weeks (aluminum to hardened steel) | 1–2 weeks after tool completion | 2–4 weeks per release |
| Stamping | 3–12 weeks (short-run to progressive) | 1–2 weeks after die tryout | 2–4 weeks per release |
| Deep draw | 8–14 weeks | 1–3 weeks after tooling | 3–6 weeks per release |
| Rubber | 2–6 weeks | 1–2 weeks after tooling | 3–6 weeks per release |
| Powdered metal | 6–12 weeks | 2–3 weeks after tooling | 4–8 weeks per release |
| Springs & wire forms | None for most CNC-coiled springs; 3–6 weeks for fourslide tooling | 1–3 weeks | 2–5 weeks per release |
| Die casting | 8–14 weeks | 1–3 weeks after die tryout | 3–6 weeks per release |
| Screw machining | 1–4 weeks for form tools and cams | 1–3 weeks | 3–6 weeks per release |
| Forging | 6–12 weeks | 2–4 weeks after tooling | 4–10 weeks per release, including heat treat and machining |
| CNC machining | None | 1–3 weeks | 2–6 weeks per release |
| Soft goods | 1–2 weeks for steel-rule dies, if used | 2–4 weeks for a first sample | 4–8 weeks per release |
| Offshore sourcing | 4–8 weeks offshore | 1–2 weeks after tooling, shipped by air | 8–12 weeks per release including ocean freight |
| Sheet metal | None | 1–2 weeks | 2–4 weeks per release, including finishing |
| 3D printing | None | 2–7 days for plastic; 1–3 weeks for metal | 1–3 weeks per release |
| Urethane casting | 3–7 days for master and silicone mold | 1–2 weeks | 2–3 weeks for up to about 200 parts |
Questions about how it works
Is the builder's price a quote?
No. It is a budgetary estimate from SSG's cost models, typically within ±15–35% depending on how complete the part is. Firm quotes come from principals after they review the drawing, and the quote is the price you order at.
Does it cost anything to use SSG?
Pricing a part in the builder, calling the API and sending an RFQ are free. Manufacturers' rep firms are typically paid commission by the manufacturer on the orders they bring, so the price you see is the principal's quote.
Who do I buy the parts from?
From the principal. You place the purchase order with the manufacturer you pick, and it invoices you as it ships. Your SSG rep stays on the order through first article, production, shipping and reorders.
How many principals quote each RFQ?
It depends on the part and on how many principals fit it. The rep routes the RFQ to principals matched on process, material, certification, capacity and region, and presents the quotes that come back side by side.
Can I send a drawing without using the builder?
Yes. The quote form takes STEP, IGES, STL, DXF, PDF or ZIP files up to 25 MB with the quantity, material and date. You can also email drawings to bob@ssgmfg.com or call (813) 419-2590.
Who owns the tooling?
Usually the buyer who pays for it. The quote states tooling ownership, maintenance and the tool's expected life, and the builder's estimate assumes customer-owned tooling amortized into the all-in price.
What happens if a part fails first article?
Production doesn't release. The principal corrects the tool or process, measures new parts and resubmits the report. If a problem shows up later, your rep issues a corrective action request and stays on it until it closes.
More on quality and first article, what a manufacturers' rep does and choosing a process.
Start with a number.
Build the part or upload a file, see the budgetary estimate and DFM check, and send the RFQ when it looks right.