A practical guide to the information a machining and fabrication partner needs—not a wall of equipment names.
These are illustrative service categories. Machine capacity, tolerances, materials, and certifications must be confirmed for the actual business.
Brackets, housings, shafts, and fixtures are useful starting points for discussing part geometry.
Discuss how parts join, how the assembly is used, and which surfaces or interfaces matter.
Identify what needs to stay consistent across batches and how changes should be controlled.
Drawing & revisionA current reference, dimensions, and intended use.
Material & finishInclude an exact specification when one is required.
Critical featuresCall out fit, function, and any feature needing special attention.
Quantity & cadenceSeparate first-run needs from future repeat orders.
Inspection needsList any reports or documentation your team requires.
Timing & deliveryDistinguish a target date from a firm project dependency.
Start with the application and the questions you need answered. The brief includes space for an early-stage concept.
A useful quote starts with a clear brief.