Engineering

Prototyping & sampling

Most programmes need a part before they need a price. Samples from existing tooling usually ship in one to three working days, with a dimensional report attached.

1–3 day samples7–12 day new toolingDimensional reportPilot batches

Sample types

Four routes to a part in your hand

The fastest route depends on how far your geometry is from our standard range. Be honest about the stage you are at — a machined sample will not prove a production process.

1 – 3 working days

Standard sample

A size and finish already in our standard range. Shipped from stock or from the next scheduled run, with a dimensional report.

Best for: design feasibility, fit checks, assembly trials

5 – 8 working days

Modified standard

A standard diameter with a different length, head or drive geometry. Produced by modifying existing tooling rather than building new.

Best for: design iterations, prototype builds, pre-production validation

7 – 12 working days

New tooling

A new heading die for a geometry outside our existing range. Includes die design, build, trial and sample dimensional report.

Best for: new programmes, custom head or drive, production intent

2 – 3 weeks

Pilot batch

A small production run, typically 5,000–20,000 pieces, through the full process including coating and sorting.

Best for: line trials, PPAP samples, customer qualification

Timeline

What takes how long

Durations are working days from receipt of a complete drawing and agreed quotation. Coating and PVD add to the sample date because batches run on a schedule.

Stage	Typical duration	Output	Notes
Drawing review	1 – 2 working days	Marked-up drawing, questions, feasibility	Starts when drawing + mating material are received
Quotation	1 – 2 working days	Price by quantity, tooling cost, lead time	Issued after the review is agreed
Tooling design and build	7 – 12 working days	New heading die and punch set	Complex custom drives take longer
First sample	1 – 3 working days after tooling	10 – 50 pieces, dimensional report	Includes first-off inspection
Coating and finishing	3 – 7 working days	Coated samples	PVD batches run on a fixed schedule
Pilot batch	2 – 3 weeks	5,000 – 20,000 pieces	Full process, sorted and packed
PPAP submission	1 – 2 weeks after pilot	PPAP package per agreed level	Requires frozen drawing

Custom drives, security recesses and multi-diameter pins take longer because the punch geometry must be developed and trialled. We confirm the specific lead time with the quotation.

Sample report

What arrives with the parts

A sample without data is a souvenir. Every sample shipment includes a dimensional report so your engineer can compare the part to the drawing before the assembly trial begins.

Dimensional results against the ballooned drawing

Material certificate and heat number

Hardness and case depth where applicable

Coating thickness at head, shank and thread root

Thread gauge result (GO / NO-GO)

Functional notes — drive, seating, burr

Photographs of the sample at 10× and 30×

Deviation list, if any callout could not be met

To start

Five things we need

Drawing (PDF) or 3D model (STEP / IGES)
Mating material and engagement length
Finish requirement, including colour if visible
Annual volume and first-year forecast
Required sample date and delivery address

Request samples

Questions

Sampling FAQ

Practical questions from design and procurement teams.

Are samples free?

Standard sizes are usually supplied free in small quantities (10–50 pieces). Modified or new-tooling samples are charged at prototype pricing plus any tooling cost. Pilot batches are quoted as a production order.

Can you ship samples by express courier?

Yes. We ship DHL, FedEx or the customer’s account, with the dimensional report attached electronically before dispatch so your team can review while the parts are in transit.

What do you need from me to start?

A drawing (PDF) or a 3D model (STEP/IGES), the mating material, the finish requirement, the annual volume and the required sample date. If the drawing is incomplete, our engineers will draft the missing specification for you to confirm.

Can samples be made without tooling?

For some geometries we can machine a small quantity of samples for fit checks. Machined samples are dimensionally representative but not process-representative — they do not prove cold-formability or thread-rolling behaviour. Use them for fit, not for qualification.

How many samples should I request?

For a fit check, 10–20 pieces are enough. For assembly trials and torque testing, request 50–100. For PPAP, the pilot batch should be at least 300 pieces from a production run so that the sample is statistically meaningful.

Need a part this week?

Send the drawing now. If it is inside our standard range, samples can leave Bekasi in one to three working days.

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