A Project Walkthrough: What Happens Between RFQ and Delivery at a Full-Service Fab Shop
Submitting a request for quote is easy. Knowing what happens next is usually the mystery. If you've never worked with a full-service fabrication shop before, here's what the process typically looks like from the moment your drawings land in our inbox to the moment your finished parts ship out.
Step 1: RFQ and Drawing Review
Every project starts with your specs: drawings, a sample part, or a general description of what you need built. Our team reviews the file for completeness, checks material and tolerance callouts, and flags anything that needs clarification before pricing begins.
Step 2: Quoting and Design Feedback
Once we understand the scope, we put together a quote based on material, complexity, quantity, and timeline. If a design detail is likely to drive up cost or slow production without adding value, we'll say so at this stage. This is also when we confirm which process fits best, such as CNC machining, waterjet cutting, plasma cutting, or sheet metal fabrication.
Step 3: Material Procurement
Once the order is approved, we source the specified material, whether that's carbon steel, stainless, aluminum, bronze, or an exotic alloy. For projects with tight timelines, this is one of the steps where advance planning on your end can shave real time off the schedule.
Step 4: Programming and Setup
For CNC machining, waterjet, and plasma work, our team programs the cutting or machining paths using AutoCAD, SolidWorks, or Pro Engineering files. Equipment is set up and, for larger runs, a first article is often produced and checked before full production begins.
Step 5: Fabrication
This is where the work actually gets built: cutting, forming, bending, welding, and machining, depending on what your part requires. Our welders are AWS certified, and our shop is ASME certified for projects that require it.
Step 6: Finishing
Depending on the application, parts may go through coatings, blasting, or other surface treatments to improve durability and corrosion resistance before they leave the shop.
Step 7: Inspection
Every part is checked against your drawings and tolerance requirements before it's approved for shipment. This is a critical step for oil and gas, marine, and other industries where tight tolerance work isn't optional.
Step 8: Assembly (When Needed)
For projects that call for it, we handle mechanical assembly in-house, including welding, riveting, and hardware installation, so you receive a finished, ready-to-use product rather than a box of parts.
Step 9: Packaging and Delivery
Finished parts are packaged to prevent damage in transit and delivered or made available for pickup according to your project timeline.
Contact Our Knowledgable Team
If you have a project in mind and want to know how it would move through our shop, reach out and we'll walk you through it. Call us at 713-880-0044 or fill out our online form to get started.
