How to Compare Stainless Steel Investment Casting Quotes from Several Foundries

Mostly because suppliers price different scopes, not because the casting itself costs very different amounts. The usual differences are whether tooling is separate or amortised, which surfaces are polished and to what grade, whether machining, heat treatment, passivation and inspection reports are included, the quantity the unit price is based on, and the trade term (EXW, FOB or delivered).

Before comparing prices, check that every quote describes the same alloy, finish, tolerances, documents and delivery point.

Ask each foundry to break the price into the same lines.

• Tooling (wax injection die), with ownership and expected life.
• Samples: quantity, price and what is included (finish, report).
• Unit price at each quantity you may order, for example sample lot, first order and annual volume.
• Machining, if any, with the features and tolerances it covers.
• Surface finish: polishing grade per surface, passivation, PVD or other coatings.
• Heat treatment, if the grade needs it.
• Inspection and documents: dimensional report, EN 10204 3.1 material certificate, others you require.
• Packing and shipping, with the trade term and destination.

A table in this format lets you compare offers line by line instead of comparing one total with another.

On organic or decorative shapes, polishing is often the line where quotes differ most, because it is manual work that depends on the area, shape and grade. Mirror polishing every surface of a complex shape costs far more than mirror polishing only the faces that are seen in use.

Mark the visible surfaces on the drawing and state the finish for the rest (for example as-cast with blasting, or satin). Suppliers can then quote the same polishing scope, and you may reduce the cost without changing how the part looks when installed. Approve the finish on a sample.

No. Compare the total landed cost for the quantity you will really buy over the life of the part. Add tooling, samples, the unit price times the realistic annual quantity, finishing, documents, packing, freight and duties. A low unit price with an expensive or short-lived tool, or a quote that excludes polishing or inspection, can cost more in the end.

One RFQ package to all suppliers. A 3D model (STEP) and a 2D drawing with tolerances; the alloy (for example 316L or CF3M); the finish for each surface, with visible surfaces marked; heat treatment or passivation; quantities for samples, first order and annual volume; required documents; and the delivery address and trade term. Ask for the quote in a breakdown like the one above.

If you only have a physical prototype, say so; we can work from the prototype or a scan, and confirm the 3D model with you before tooling.

Yes. Send your comparison format or the list of lines you need, and we will return our quotation as one PDF in that structure, with tooling, samples, each quantity, finishing and shipping shown separately, so it can be compared directly with other offers.