In today's fast paced environment, receiving an accurate quote in the shortest possible time may determine whether you're awarded new business from an OEM.  As an iron casting supplier, Waupaca Foundry strives to provide an accurate quote with the quickest possible turnaround.These five steps will help you in getting an accurate and timely quote.

1. Submit a casting model and/or blueprint. The blueprint and/or CAD model of the casting helps the iron casting supplier understand what the part looks like, how it fits in the casting process, and the overall design requirements, and generally the degree of ease or difficulty to cast the part.
2. Provide casting genealogy. This includes disclosing the OEM, program, platform or model, and an SOP date. The genealogy answers the following questions:
   • Has this part been quoted before? 
   • Is the part currently in production? (And more specifically, does Waupaca Foundry make this component for the current program or platform?  If Waupaca Foundry already makes the component for the current platform, it allows us to review the lessons learned in the development and launch of this part.)
   • Are there any iron casting design concerns and the ability to make the part to specification?
3. Include material grade and specifications. Material grade, material specification, and quality related specifications tells the metalcaster whether the grade of gray iron, ductile iron, austempered ductile iron, or compacted graphite iron can be produced, or if more discussion is needed. And, your quality requirements help us to understand your expectations.
4. Communicate the casting weight and annual volume.  Knowing the casting weight assures that all of your quotes are "apples to apples" with other foundries that might be quoting the same part(s).  The annual volume helps establish capacity expectations, and ensures the specified tooling is an optimum fit for the quantity; assuring the most efficient process and best price.
5. Don't forget to include a contact name, phone number and email. Providing your contact information assures that the foundry may contact you with any questions or points of clarification as needed. And last but not least, knowing who to contact is a great way to get to know each other, continue open communication, and make certain we are all on the same page.

We'd be happy to provide you with a quote on your next program. To request a quote, complete this Request a Quote form on our Web site with these five key pieces of information.