A practical guide for procurement teams, engineers, and buyers sourcing sand, investment, die, permanent mold, centrifugal, or specialty castings
Published by The Casting Manufacturers Association (TCMA)
TCMAINC.com
An incomplete Request for Quote costs everyone time and money. For buyers, it means back-and-forth clarifications, delayed quotes, and inaccurate pricing. For foundries, it means wasted estimating resources on unquotable parts or prices based on assumptions that don't match your actual requirements.
The casting industry has unique specification requirements that general manufacturing RFQ templates don't address — alloy designation formats, casting process suitability, pattern ownership, secondary operations, inspection standards, and certification expectations. This checklist covers all of them.
Whether you're sourcing your first casting or your hundredth, use this guide to ensure your RFQ gives foundries everything they need to provide accurate, competitive pricing on the first pass.
How to use this checklist: Review each section before contacting a foundry. Items marked (required) are essential for any casting RFQ. Items marked (if applicable) depend on your part, volume, and industry.
Not every casting RFQ needs every detail from day one — but knowing which tier your RFQ falls into helps set expectations with suppliers.
🥉 Bronze RFQ — Concept stage
You have a rough idea of what you need but limited detail. Foundries can provide budgetary estimates and design feedback, but not firm quotes. Expect multiple clarification rounds.
Typical information: part sketch or description, approximate size/weight, estimated volume
🥈 Silver RFQ — Quote-ready
You have enough detail for foundries to provide competitive pricing. Quotes will include some assumptions, but you can compare suppliers meaningfully.
Typical information: dimensioned print, alloy specified, volume defined, tolerance expectations, secondary ops list
🥇 Gold RFQ — Production-ready
You've provided complete technical and commercial requirements. Foundries can quote accurately with minimal clarification, and the winning supplier can move directly to tooling and production.
Typical information: final print with GD&T, material spec with ASTM/SAE designation, inspection plan, quality requirements, delivery schedule, payment terms
Aim for Silver minimum before requesting formal quotes. Gold RFQs get the fastest, most accurate responses.
☐ (Required) Part drawing or 3D model
Provide a dimensioned print (PDF) or CAD file (STEP, IGES, or native format). If you're in early design, even a hand sketch with key dimensions is better than nothing.
☐ (Required) Critical dimensions and tolerances
Identify which dimensions are critical (must be held as-cast or post-machining) and which are non-critical. If you have a fully toleranced print with GD&T, include it. If not, at minimum call out the 3–5 most important dimensions.
☐ (If applicable) Draft requirements
Does your part require minimal draft for functional reasons? (Draft is taper added to vertical surfaces to allow mold removal — typically 1–3° in sand casting, less in die casting.) If you need zero-draft surfaces, note that — it affects process selection and cost.
☐ (If applicable) Surface finish requirements
Specify if you need a particular as-cast finish, and whether any surfaces will be machined. Use Ra (roughness average) if you have a spec; otherwise describe functionally: "smooth cosmetic finish," "as-cast acceptable," "machined to 32 Ra," etc.
☐ (If applicable) Weight and envelope
If known, provide approximate casting weight and overall dimensions (L × W × H). This helps foundries assess equipment suitability immediately.
☐ (If applicable) Thick/thin wall transitions
If your part has abrupt changes in wall thickness, note them — they're prone to shrinkage defects and may require design modifications or feeding strategies.
☐ (Required) Alloy designation
Use industry-standard alloy designations, not vague terms. Examples:
If you're unsure which alloy is correct for your application, state your functional requirements (strength, corrosion resistance, temperature, wear resistance) and ask the foundry to recommend an alloy.
☐ (If applicable) Material certification requirements
Do you need a Certified Material Test Report (CMTR) with chemical composition and mechanical properties? ASTM or SAE material standard conformance? Full traceability? Specify upfront — it affects pricing.
☐ (If applicable) Material substitutions acceptable?
If the foundry stocks a similar alloy that meets your performance requirements but isn't your specified grade, are substitutions acceptable? (Example: A356-T6 instead of A357-T6 for aluminum, or 65-45-12 instead of 80-55-06 for ductile iron.) This can reduce lead time and cost.
☐ (Required) Prototype, pilot, or production quantity
Specify the quantity for your initial order. If you're sourcing prototypes with production intent, state both: "10 prototype, 5,000/year production anticipated."
☐ (If applicable) Annual volume forecast
If this is a production part, provide an annual usage estimate and expected part life (1 year, 5 years, ongoing). This helps foundries assess tooling amortization and recommend the most economical process.
☐ (If applicable) Order frequency and lot sizes
Will you order once per year in a single lot, or monthly replenishment in smaller batches? Batch size affects setup cost and delivery scheduling.
☐ (If applicable) Volume ramp expectations
Is this a new product launch with expected volume growth? If so, provide a ramp schedule — foundries need to know if they're quoting a 500-piece pilot today that becomes 10,000/year in 18 months.
☐ (If known) Preferred or required casting process
If you have a process preference (sand, investment, die, permanent mold, centrifugal, specialty), state it. If you're unsure which process fits best, say so — good foundries will recommend the right process based on your part, volume, and alloy.
☐ (If applicable) Existing tooling
Do you already own patterns, dies, or molds from a previous supplier? If yes, provide details: tooling type, material, condition, and current location. Can save significant cost and lead time.
☐ (If applicable) Tooling ownership
Who owns the tooling after it's built — you or the foundry? If you want ownership (common for high-value tooling or supply chain flexibility), state it upfront and ask for a separate tooling cost line item.
☐ (If applicable) Tooling budget or lead time constraints
If you have a limited tooling budget or need castings by a certain date, communicate that early. It affects process selection and tooling complexity decisions.
Many castings require post-casting work. Be specific about what you need done by the foundry vs. what you'll handle in-house.
☐ (If applicable) Heat treatment
T6 temper for aluminum? Annealing, normalizing, or quench-and-temper for steel? Stress relief? Solution treatment for stainless? Specify the heat treat spec or ASTM standard.
☐ (If applicable) Machining
List which surfaces or features require machining, and to what tolerances. Provide a machining print if available. If the foundry is quoting machining, clarify whether you want a fully machined part or a semi-finished casting with critical features only.
☐ (If applicable) Surface coating or finishing
Powder coat? Painting? E-coat? Anodizing (aluminum)? Plating? Passivation (stainless)? Specify coating type, color, and any performance standards (salt spray hours, adhesion testing, etc.).
☐ (If applicable) Non-Destructive Testing (NDT)
Liquid penetrant inspection (LPI/FPI)? Magnetic particle inspection (MPI)? Radiographic inspection (X-ray)? Ultrasonic testing (UT)? Specify method, coverage (100% or sampling), and acceptance criteria (ASTM E446, ASTM E1444, customer spec, etc.).
☐ (If applicable) Pressure testing or proof testing
If the casting is pressure-tight (valve body, pump housing, hydraulic component), specify test pressure, medium (air, water, oil), duration, and acceptance criteria (zero leakage, allowable weep rate, etc.).
☐ (If applicable) Assembly or inserts
Do threaded inserts, bushings, studs, or hardware need to be installed by the foundry? Provide insert part numbers and installation specs.
☐ (If applicable) Dimensional inspection requirements
First Article Inspection Report (FAIR)? AS9102 First Article? CMM report? Specify which dimensions require inspection documentation and at what frequency (first article only, every lot, 100% inspection, sampling plan).
☐ (If applicable) Visual inspection criteria
What cosmetic defects are acceptable? Gate marks, parting lines, minor porosity on non-critical surfaces? Or is this a Class A cosmetic part with zero visible defects? Providing a visual acceptance standard (sample part, photo reference, or written criteria) eliminates disputes later.
☐ (If applicable) Mechanical property testing
Tensile testing? Hardness testing? Impact testing (Charpy, Izod)? Specify test frequency (per heat, per lot, per X parts) and acceptance criteria (minimum yield, minimum elongation, hardness range).
☐ (If applicable) Metallurgical testing
Microstructure evaluation? Grain size? Inclusion rating? Specify ASTM standard and acceptance criteria.
☐ (If applicable) Traceability requirements
Does each casting need a unique serial number, heat code, or lot traceability mark? Low-stress stamping, laser etching, dot peen, or cast-in identification?
☐ (If applicable) Foundry quality certifications required
ISO 9001? IATF 16949 (automotive)? AS9100 (aerospace)? Nadcap (special processes)? If your industry or end customer requires specific foundry certifications, list them upfront — not all foundries hold all certifications.
☐ (If applicable) Material compliance requirements
RoHS compliance? REACH? Conflict minerals reporting? California Prop 65? FDA food contact? Specify applicable regulations.
☐ (If applicable) Country of origin requirements
Must castings be melted and poured in the USA? Is foreign material acceptable if finished domestically? Some defense, infrastructure, and government contracts have domestic content requirements (Buy American, DFARS, etc.). Clarify upfront.
☐ (Required) Required delivery date
When do you need castings delivered? Specify whether this is for prototypes, first production lot, or ongoing production. If lead time is flexible, say so — it gives foundries scheduling flexibility that may reduce cost.
☐ (If applicable) Packaging requirements
Bulk bins? Individual boxing? Foam/cardboard separation between parts to prevent damage? VCI (vapor corrosion inhibitor) wrap for steel? Export crating? Special labeling?
☐ (If applicable) Shipping terms
FOB foundry (you arrange freight)? Prepaid and add (foundry ships, charges you)? Delivered (foundry pays freight)? If international, specify Incoterms.
☐ (If applicable) Stocking or consignment program
Do you want the foundry to hold safety stock? Blanket PO with scheduled releases? Vendor-managed inventory? Consignment? Define expectations early.
☐ (If applicable) Target price or budget
If you have a target cost per part, share it. Foundries can tell you if it's achievable or recommend design/process changes to hit the target. If your budget is firm, say so.
☐ (If applicable) Payment terms
Net 30? Net 60? Payment on delivery? Tooling deposit upfront? Many foundries have standard terms, but larger customers may negotiate. Clarify expectations if terms matter to your procurement process.
☐ (If applicable) Preferred quote format
Do you need separate line items for tooling, per-piece casting cost, secondary ops, and NRE (non-recurring engineering)? Specify if you have a required quote template or format.
☐ (If applicable) Quote validity period
How long do you need the quote to remain valid? Alloy surcharges (aluminum, steel, stainless, bronze) are often tied to commodity indices and fluctuate — longer validity may mean higher pricing to hedge foundry risk.
Even experienced buyers make these errors. A quick scan before submitting your RFQ can save days of back-and-forth.
❌ Using a wrought alloy designation for a casting
Example: Specifying "6061 aluminum" — this is a wrought (extruded/rolled) alloy, not a casting alloy. The foundry will ask if you mean A356, 319, or another casting equivalent.
❌ Specifying unrealistic tolerances for the process
Example: Calling for ±0.002" on a sand casting. Sand casting typically holds ±0.030" to ±0.060" as-cast. If you need tight tolerances, plan to machine those features or switch to a higher-precision process like investment or die casting.
❌ Not specifying which surfaces are cosmetic vs. functional
All casting processes produce some level of surface imperfection. Specify what matters — "gate mark on bottom surface acceptable, top surface must be smooth and defect-free" — and foundries can quote accordingly.
❌ Asking for a quote without a volume estimate
Foundries can't recommend the most economical process or amortize tooling cost without knowing expected volume. Even a rough annual estimate is better than none.
❌ Forgetting to mention secondary ops until after tooling is built
If you need specific mounting holes, threaded features, or tight machined bores, communicate that upfront. Castings can be designed with machining stock in the right places — but only if the foundry knows what's getting machined.
❌ Not asking which certifications the foundry holds
If you're in aerospace or automotive and the program requires AS9100 or IATF 16949, verify the foundry is certified before requesting a quote. Foundries without the right certifications can't supply you, regardless of technical capability.
Use this checklist to review your RFQ completeness before contacting foundries. The more detail you provide upfront, the faster and more accurate the response.
Not sure which casting process is right for your part, or which foundries to contact?
The Casting Manufacturers Association (TCMA) connects buyers with qualified casting manufacturers across North America. Submit your project details and we'll match you with the right foundry based on your alloy, process, volume, and certification requirements.
Visit TCMAINC.com to browse our directory or submit a project request.
Published by The Casting Manufacturers Association | TCMAINC.com | Supporting North American foundries and the buyers who rely on them