Frequently Asked Questions

InvoLink | Precision Manufacturing Solutions

The following answers address common questions before requesting a quote. Manufacturing capabilities, lead times, inspection requirements, and commercial terms are confirmed based on project review and formal quotations.

1. Drawings & Engineering Support

1. What information should I provide for a quote?

We recommend providing part drawings or 3D models, material requirements, estimated quantities, critical tolerances, surface finish requirements, and your desired delivery date. If some information is not yet available, feel free to contact us. We can help identify what is needed to prepare a quote.

2. What drawing and file formats do you accept?

We can generally accept STEP/STP, IGES/IGS, SolidWorks part files, DWG/DXF, and PDF files. Whether a file is suitable for manufacturing review depends on the information it contains and its completeness. You can also send us a sketch or preliminary design for an initial discussion.

3. Do you provide engineering reviews and design for manufacturability (DFM) feedback?

Yes. We can work with our manufacturing partners to review materials, part geometry, manufacturing processes, tolerances, and assembly requirements, and provide DFM suggestions where appropriate. The scope and depth of the review depend on the complexity of the project.

4. How do you protect customer drawings and technical information?

We respect our customers’ intellectual property and confidentiality requirements. We can discuss and sign a nondisclosure agreement (NDA) before exchanging sensitive information. Drawings and technical documents are shared only with the personnel or manufacturing partners who need them to evaluate or execute the project.

2. Manufacturing Capabilities & Orders

5. Is InvoLink a factory or a manufacturing services company?

InvoLink is a manufacturing services company providing U.S.-based communication and project coordination. Based on customer drawings and requirements, we work with our established, long-term manufacturing partners in China to coordinate manufacturing, quality inspection, and delivery. The processes and production resources for each project are confirmed during the technical review.

6. What manufacturing processes do you offer?

Our manufacturing services include precision CNC turning and milling, casting and injection molding, molds and tooling, secondary machining as needed, and surface treatments such as anodizing, plating, powder coating, and passivation. We select suitable processes or process combinations based on each part’s requirements.

7. Do you accept prototypes and small orders? What is your minimum order quantity (MOQ)?

We support prototypes, trial runs, and low-volume projects, as well as subsequent production runs. Some machined parts can be evaluated starting at a quantity of one. Projects requiring molds, die casting, or injection molding may have different economical production quantities. MOQ is determined by the process, material, and project cost.

8. Can you support projects from prototype through production?

Yes. Depending on the project, we can coordinate prototype fabrication, sample approval, and subsequent production. For projects requiring tooling or complex processes, prototype validation and production planning are discussed during quotation and project kickoff.

9. What materials and types of parts can you work with?

We can evaluate custom parts made from aluminum alloys, steel, stainless steel, and selected engineering plastics. Typical components include housings, brackets, shafts, structural parts, and mechanical assemblies. Specific material grades, part dimensions, weight, and achievable tolerances must be confirmed through drawing and process review.

10. Can you arrange surface finishing?

Yes. Based on the material and application, we can coordinate anodizing, plating, powder coating, passivation, and related surface preparation processes. Please specify color, appearance, coating thickness, and performance requirements when submitting your RFQ.

3. Quotation, Quality & Delivery

11. How long does it take to receive a quote?

Quotation time depends on drawing completeness, part complexity, materials, and required processes. After receiving your information, we will review the technical requirements and scope, then provide an estimated quotation timeline. Projects involving multiple processes or tooling evaluation may require additional time.

12. What factors affect pricing?

Key factors include material, part geometry and tolerances, order quantity, machining operations, molds or tooling, surface finishing, inspection, packaging, and shipping requirements. We provide project-specific quotations outlining applicable pricing, lead times, and key terms.

13. How are lead times determined?

Lead times depend on part complexity, material procurement, tooling requirements, production quantity, surface finishing, and shipping method. We provide an estimated lead time during review and quotation, then coordinate the project schedule after order confirmation.

14. How do you manage part quality?

We work with our manufacturing partners to establish inspection plans and acceptance criteria based on customer drawings, specifications, and project requirements. Dimensional inspection, material testing, and surface-finish testing can be arranged as needed. Applicable reports and associated costs are confirmed during quotation.

15. Can you provide material certificates and inspection reports?

We can coordinate material certificates, dimensional inspection reports, and other applicable documentation based on project requirements. Report types, inspection scope, third-party testing needs, and associated costs should be agreed upon during quotation or order confirmation.

16. What happens if delivered parts have a quality issue?

Please provide a description of the issue, photographs, and any relevant measurement or inspection records. We will investigate with our manufacturing partners and discuss rework, replacement, or other appropriate corrective actions based on the agreed drawings, acceptance criteria, and order terms.

17. Can you arrange shipping within the U.S. and internationally?

Depending on the project, we can coordinate courier, air, or ocean freight and confirm the destination, packaging requirements, and applicable trade terms with the customer. Shipping costs, import clearance responsibilities, and duties are determined by the specific quotation and contract terms.

4. Long-Term Manufacturing Partners

InvoLink supports customer projects through established, long-term manufacturing partnerships. Rather than searching for a new factory each time an inquiry arrives, we build on ongoing technical communication, process collaboration, and project coordination. Actual capacity and delivery schedules are confirmed for each project.

18. Do you find a new factory for each project?

No. We maintain established, long-term working relationships with manufacturing partners and are familiar with their primary process capabilities, communication practices, and quality management requirements. We coordinate with the appropriate partner based on each part’s material, geometry, quantity, and delivery requirements.

19. What manufacturing capabilities do your long-term partners offer?

Our partner network can support precision CNC turning and milling, casting, injection molding, molds and tooling, secondary machining, and surface finishing. For parts requiring multiple operations, we can coordinate the processes so customers do not have to manage several suppliers separately. Specific size limits, tolerances, and production capacity are confirmed through drawing review.

20. How do you support consistent production quality and reliable delivery?

Long-term partnerships help maintain continuity in technical requirements, manufacturing processes, and quality standards. Once a project is confirmed, we coordinate production planning, key milestones, inspection requirements, and shipping arrangements with our partners, and provide project updates as needed. Actual lead times are established in quotations and orders based on material availability, production scheduling, process complexity, and shipping conditions.

21. Can you coordinate multiple manufacturing processes for one part?

Yes. For parts requiring casting or injection molding followed by CNC machining, surface finishing, and inspection, InvoLink can serve as a single point of contact to coordinate the manufacturing stages and help manage technical information, project schedules, and delivery requirements. Whether an integrated approach is suitable depends on the project.

5. How We Work

1. Submit Your RFQ

Send us your drawings, quantities, material specifications, surface finishing requirements, and desired delivery date.

2. Technical Review & Quotation

InvoLink coordinates manufacturing feasibility reviews with our partners and provides pricing and estimated lead times.

3. Samples & Production

Depending on the project agreement, we coordinate sample approval, tooling preparation, or direct production.

4. Inspection & Delivery

We arrange inspection, packaging, and shipment based on the agreed quality requirements.