How to get an accurate quote for the processing of core components of humanoid robots in one go?

Engineers who work on the development of humanoid robots have likely encountered this situation: they send a screenshot of a part to the processing factory ask, "How much does it cost to make this?" The other party responds with "probably a few hundred to several thousand." They then communicate back forth for five six rounds, but the quotation is still inaccurate. Time was wasted the project progress was also delayed. The problem actually lies in the processing factory, but in the quotation for non-standard parts processing, which requires complete information support.

1、 Humanoid robots are iterating accelerating, leading to a surge in demand for non-standard parts processing

The humanoid robot industry is in a period of rapid iteration, with new structural designs being validated almost every week complete machine manufacturers to core module manufacturers. Unlike consumer electronics, the precision components of humanoid robots are mostly non calibrated parts - joint shells, reducer mounting seats, sensor brackets, connecting rod structural components... The size, structure, materials of each model are different, making it difficult to find ready-made standard parts to replace them.

This means that the R&D team needs to frequently deal with precision machining enterprises, single piece sampling to small batch verification, then to batch processing, each stage requires accurate quotation support. But in actual communication, many teams often waste a lot of time in repeated communication because they do understand the pricing logic of non-standard parts processing. As a service provider in Shenzhen specializing in robot parts processing, Huiwen Zhizao has found that the completeness of information before quotation directly determines the accuracy of quotation the smoothness of subsequent delivery during the process of serving customers such as Lenovo, Xinsong, Xiaomi Ecological Chain, Beijing Institute of Technology.

2、 To quickly obtain an accurate quotation, send all these documents at once

The most effective way to quickly obtain accurate quotations for non-standard parts processing is to repeatedly urge, but to send out key information clearly at once. The more complete the information obtained by the processing plant, the faster it can judge the materials, processes, clamping, testing, outsourcing links, the closer the quotation is to the final delivery cost. The following is a list of quotation materials that can be directly applied:

This table can be directly used as a checklist before inquiry emails WeChat communication. Sending all the information at once can reduce the need for suppliers to ask back forth, enable the R&D team to compare solutions more quickly. In the actual projects of Huiwen Zhizao, whether it is single piece sampling of precision components batch processing, the response speed of quotation when the information is complete is usually more than three times faster than when the information is incomplete, the deviation rate of quotation is significantly reduced.

3、 View the structure on the drawings, label inspect for acceptance

In the quotation materials, drawings technical annotations are the two core items, but their roles have their own emphasis. Drawings can help processing plants understand the shape, hole position, deep cavity, thin wall, chamfer, clamping direction of parts. If the drawing information is detailed enough, it may be difficult to accurately determine whether the tool is accessible, whether flipping is required, whether 4-axis 5-axis machining is needed for complex non-standard parts. For complex structural components such as joint shells of humanoid robots, the feasibility, clamping scheme, machining accuracy requirements of CNC machining five axis machining often need to be judged based on complete drawing data.

Technical labeling is responsible for clarifying the acceptance criteria. It is recommended to indicate in the drawings which dimensions are critical, which positions have requirements for flatness, perpendicularity, coaxiality, positional accuracy, which surfaces have requirements for roughness appearance. If there are drawings but lack annotations, the quotation may underestimate the detection accuracy; If there is only annotation without complete structure, complex structures may underestimate processing time. Combining the two can help obtain accurate quotes faster.

4、 The material, quantity, surface treatment determine the pricing structure

The price of non-standard parts does only come processing time. The material grade, blank specifications, quantity, urgency of the order, surface treatment will all change the quotation. For example, for the same bracket, the material cost of 6061 aluminum alloy 7075 aluminum alloy is different, the outsourcing cost of black anode hard anode is also different. For humanoid robot components, in order to balance lightweight strength, the proportion of titanium alloys, magnesium alloys, cutting-edge new materials is increasing. The procurement cycle processing difficulty of these materials will be directly reflected in the quotation. At the same time, different materials have different requirements for parameter settings surface quality control in CNC machining.

The quantity is also crucial. There are significant differences in the amortization methods for programming fees, fixture fees, first piece inspection fees for CNC machining between 1 sample 20 small batches. If the customer only says' quote one first ', it is difficult for the supplier to determine whether to quote based on the sample the small batch unit price. Suggestions for surface treatment should be explained as early as possible. Anodizing, sandblasting, blackening, nickel plating, passivation, heat treatment only affect the price, but may also affect the size delivery time. It is recommended to confirm whether the key coordination positions are concealed whether they have been re inspected after processing before quoting.

5、 Clearly state the tolerances inspections, so that the quotation will change

Many price changes in the later stage are due to temporary price increases by the processing factory, but rather due to the lack of clear tolerance testing in the early stage. The cost varies greatly in terms of ordinary external dimensions, key hole positions, assembly reference surfaces, appearance surfaces. If there are strict tolerance requirements for critical dimensions, suppliers need to arrange more stable processes inspections. If a three coordinate report, full-size report, first article report is required, it will also increase the inspection time.

For products such as humanoid robots that require extremely high reliability, the machining accuracy, surface quality, complete inspection process of key dimensions are particularly important. Huiwen Zhizao has passed the dual quality management system certification of ISO9001 IATF16949, has established a complete testing process raw material entry to finished product delivery. As a precision machining enterprise, during the quotation stage, the process route testing costs will be reasonably evaluated based on tolerances testing requirements to avoid quotation changes caused by incomplete information in the later stage. It is usually recommended that customers circle the key dimensions, do impose stricter requirements on ordinary dimensions. This way, the quotation is more transparent the processing risks are more easily exposed in advance.

6、 Conclusion

Quotation for non-standard parts processing is just about asking for a price. It is a pre evaluation of engineering feasibility, the more complete the information, the more accurate the evaluation. For the research development team of humanoid robots, sending all the quotation materials at once is to trouble suppliers, but to save time for themselves. Before the next inquiry, you may want to check the list again. You will find that the quotation comes faster more accurate, the subsequent delivery is also smoother.

7、 Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What drawing materials are required for the quotation of non-standard parts processing?

A: It is recommended to provide complete drawing materials for complex parts, including 2D drawings, 3D drawings, sample photos. The more complete the drawing data, the easier it is for the processing factory to determine the cutting path, clamping, deep cavity, flipping difficulty, especially for complex structural parts such as humanoid robot joint shells that require five axis machining. Detailed drawings help to provide more accurate quotations. Simple parts can be roughly quoted based on 2D drawings sample photos, additional information can be provided for confirmation according to the actual situation.

Q: Can only 2D drawings be quoted?

A: Simple parts can be roughly quoted, but for complex structures, it is recommended to provide more detailed information at the same time, otherwise the processing time may be underestimated. If only the drawings lack structural details, the processing plant may find it difficult to determine the internal structure, chamfer direction, clamping feasibility, the quotation is often conservative. In actual processing, additional costs may be incurred due to the complexity of the structure.

Q: Why should surface treatment be explained before quotation?

A: Surface treatments such as anodizing, sandblasting, nickel plating, blackening can affect outsourcing costs, delivery times, film thickness, final fitting dimensions. If specified in the quotation additional surface treatment is added later, only will the price change, but the delivery time may also be extended, key fitting positions may also be affected by changes in film thickness during assembly. Therefore, it is recommended to clarify the surface treatment before quoting.