There is no reliable universal price per casting
A useful cost comparison starts with the same material, drawing revision, quantity and finished-part scope. Quoting a casting by weight alone can overlook tooling, difficult geometry, machining, inspection and secondary operations.
The cost model to put in your RFQ
| Review area | What to define in the enquiry |
|---|---|
| One-time development | Tooling, sample work, fixtures and any agreed validation. |
| Casting production | Alloy, geometry, process route, quantities and production assumptions. |
| CNC machining | Setups, tool access, machined features and final dimensional requirements. |
| Heat treatment & finish | Specified final condition, surface scope and process responsibilities. |
| Inspection & documentation | Tests, sample approval and required material/inspection records. |
| Packing & delivery | Packaging, delivery basis and agreed transport responsibilities. |
Separate initial investment from repeat-order cost
Compare one-time charges separately from recurring piece prices. If you allocate tooling across an expected quantity, clearly label that volume as an assumption. A larger forecast is not a committed order and may not justify an unchanged production price.
Ask the supplier to make exclusions visible
- Which operations and records are included in the quoted price?
- What changes trigger a new tooling or machining quotation?
- How are samples approved, and what happens if changes are needed?
- What is the proposed schedule for samples versus repeat orders?
Casting versus machining from solid
Compare both routes using the same finished drawing and quantity. Review tooling investment, material removed, cycle requirements, secondary processes and inspection. Do not assume that casting or machining is always the cheaper route.
Use the supplier comparison checklist and prepare the drawing package for a component-specific quotation.