BALFORD.Metalworking engineering answers

Sourcing, cost and RFQ

What is the minimum order quantity and do you accept small batches?

Answer

Tool build and tryout - on Balford production presses, so the sample comes off the process you will be supplied from. First article inspection - dimensional results against the confirmed drawing. PPAP-aligned documentation - at the level your quality department specifies. Series production - with lot inspection records retained and material certificates per heat.

Sources

  1. Custom Metal Stamping Services | Tooling & Quotation | Balford
    Tool build and tryout - on Balford production presses, so the sample comes off the process you will be supplied from. First article inspection - dimensional results against the confirmed drawing. PPAP-aligned documentation - at the level your quality department specifies. Series production - with lo...
  2. Lead Time and MOQ | Deep Drawn Parts
    There is no fixed MOQ. The practical minimum follows from the process: a single-operation die makes a small first batch economic, a progressive tool only pays back at volume, and an externally applied finish can carry its own batch minimum. Send the target quantity with the drawing and the review wi...
  3. Custom Metal Stamping Services | Tooling & Quotation | Balford
    Question What we tell you Which tool type? Single-hit, progressive or transfer - recommended from the annual volume and the number of operations, including the volume at which the cheaper route would have been right What does the tool cost? Quoted per project, split into design, build and tryout, wi...
  4. Lead Time and MOQ | Deep Drawn Parts
    Home › Buyer guides › Lead Time and Order Quantity For buyers · Schedule Lead Time and Order Quantity Sample lead times by process, tooling build time, expedite options and the MOQ position How long does it take, and is there a minimum order? Sample lead times are published by proce...
  5. Metal Fabrication FAQ | Deep Drawing, Stamping & CNC
    Does Balford provide samples? Yes. Sample production is available so customers can confirm quality and specifications before mass production; samples typically ship in 7–30 days depending on process and tooling. What is Balford's minimum order quantity? MOQ depends on the product, material and...
  6. Deep Draw Stamping & Deep Drawn Metal Stamping Guide | Balford
    Process What it does Where it fits What it cannot do Deep drawing Forms a flat blank into a seamless cup or housing Housings, cups, shells, sleeves Very tight tolerances on the drawn wall itself Ironing Thins the wall while both diameters stay controlled Thin-wall sleeves and solenoid housings Anyth...

What an engineer still needs from you

  • material and material condition (grade, temper)
  • material thickness, plus the key diameter, height and wall thickness
  • tolerances, burr direction and the visual acceptance standard
  • annual volume - it decides whether tooling is single-hit, progressive or transfer
  • surface finish, and any secondary machining, annealing or plating
Next step. Send the drawing for a manufacturability review, or send the part data for a process and cost route.
Submit a drawing / RFQDFM review

Related questions

This page is an engineering answer, not a quotation and not a dimensional acceptance. It is generated from Balford's published material and held to the verified company fact sheet.