Sourcing · RFQ pack, quote compare, validity

How to Request a Quote for Custom Aluminium Extrusion (RFQ Checklist)

A complete custom extrusion programme typically runs 30–40 days to first load with a new die and anodising, or 12–20 days on an existing die and mill finish — drawing review, tooling, press, finish and packing in that order.

New die + anodising: 30–40 days to load
Existing die, mill: 12–20 days
Drawing formats: PDF, DWG, DXF, STEP, IGES
Read: 8 minutes

Engineering desk with aluminium extrusion samples drawings and CAD laptop for an RFQ

Short answer

Send a dimensioned section in PDF, DWG, DXF, STEP or IGES, name alloy and temper, finish, cut lengths, quantity, die status and Incoterm. That pack lets a factory quote metal, process, finish, packing and tooling as separate lines. Compare two quotations on those lines plus validity dates and lead stages, not on a single “per metre” cell. Price validity on aluminium extrusion quotations is usually 7–14 days because billet tracks the metal market; lock metal or reconfirm before the window closes. Machining after extrusion holds cut length ±0.5 mm, hole position ±0.2 mm and end square within 0.3 mm when those call-outs are on the drawing.

Stack of cut silver anodised aluminium extrusions in a timber export cradle in a warehouse — A usable RFQ starts with a controlled drawing, a finish call-out and a quantity — not a photo of a bar alone.

What information do you need to quote a 2020 profile

To quote a 2020 (or any catalogue T-slot) we need the section code or DXF, alloy/temper, finish, cut length and tolerance, quantity, and whether the die already exists.

A bare “quote 2020” email forces assumptions on finish and length that reverse rankings later. The same checklist applies when the variable is 3030, 4040 or a custom envelope: swap the section, keep the fields. Drawing review comes first; we will not cut a new die from a sketch without a dimensioned section and revision letter.

Field	What to send	Why it moves the quote	If missing
Section	2020 code or DXF/PDF	Locks kg/m and press size	Quote delayed
Alloy / temper	Usually 6063-T5	Billet and ageing cost	Defaulted, then reworked
Finish	Mill / silver / black / powder	Bath and rack time	Mill assumed wrongly
Cut length	Stock bar or cut list ±0.5 mm	Yield and packing	6.02 m bar assumed
Quantity	Metres or tonnes	Price step and MOQ gate	Spot sample economics
Die status	Existing or new	Tooling + 7–12 days die time	Existing-die price misapplied
Incoterm / port	FOB / CIF / DAP / DDP	Freight and risk split	FOB-only comparison trap

How do i compare two quotations for 2020 profile

Compare quotations line by line on metal, process, finish, packing, tooling, validity and lead stages — never on one blended metre price alone.

Two sheets that look USD 0.15/m apart can reverse once anodising, cut-list yield and FOB versus DAP are aligned. Use the matrix below for any catalogue section; only the section row changes when you swap 2020 for 4040. Ask whether the die charge is amortised into the metre or shown once, and whether the validity clock has already started.

Line to compare	What “equal” means	Common mismatch	Buyer check
Metal / kg	Same alloy and billet basis date	One quote hedges, one spots	Ask the metal date
Process / kg	Same press recovery assumption	Scrap buried in process	Ask recovery %
Finish	Same colour and film build	Mill vs silver mixed	Match the call-out
Packing	Same export cradle / case	Domestic pack vs ISPM 15	Ask pack photo
Tooling	Shown once or amortised clearly	Hidden in metre rate	See die ownership note
Lead stages	Die / press / finish split	Single “4 weeks” blob	Demand stage dates
Validity	Same calendar window	7 vs 30 days	Reconfirm before PO

What is the price validity period on an aluminium extrusion quotation

Most factory extrusion quotations stay valid for 7–14 days in 2026 because billet follows the metal market; beyond that window reconfirm metal before you issue a PO.

Process, finish and packing lines move more slowly than metal, but a sheet that bundles everything into one metre price hides which part expired. Contract programmes can fix a metal formula (LME/SHFE plus conversion) for months while leaving process firm. If your internal approval cycle is longer than two weeks, say so in the RFQ so the quote can carry a formula instead of a spot number. Die charges, once paid, are not subject to the metal validity clock.

How do i request a quotation for custom aluminium extrusion

Request a custom extrusion quote by sending the drawing pack, commercial quantities and Incoterm in one message, then expect drawing review before tooling or press time is booked.

Sequence that works: (1) controlled 2D section plus 3D if useful; (2) alloy, finish, lengths, tolerances; (3) prototype and annual quantities; (4) die new or existing; (5) FOB Shanghai/Ningbo or CIF/DAP/DDP with named place. Drawing review catches thin walls, impossible hollows and missing datums before steel is cut. New-die programmes land in the 30–40 day band to load with anodising; existing-die mill-finish repeats sit in 12–20 days. Die making itself adds 7–12 days inside the new-die path — see die making adds 7–12 days. Amortisation of that tool is covered under how die cost amortises per meter; MOQ gates under minimum order with a new die; title under who owns the die.

RFQ checklist — custom aluminium extrusion

Drawings — PDF/DWG/DXF plus STEP/IGES; revision letter; critical dims marked.
Material — alloy and temper, or performance targets if open.
Finish — mill, anodising colour, or powder RAL; cosmetic faces.
Secondary ops — cut ±0.5 mm, holes ±0.2 mm, end square 0.3 mm, CNC notes.
Quantity — sample, first lot, annual metres or tonnes.
Die — new or existing; who pays; who owns.
Commercial — Incoterm, port, target load week, certificates needed.

Send one complete pack. Partial emails produce partial quotes that cannot be compared.

Four ways an RFQ stalls

No revision on the drawingTwo files with the same part number and different walls waste a die trial. Put Rev on every sheet.

Finish left blankMill and black anodising are different products. Name the finish before you rank suppliers.

FOB compared to DAPAlign the Incoterm or the cheaper sheet is not cheaper.

Drawing review skippedTooling started on an unchecked section is how thin walls and bad hollows become scrap.

Related on this site

how die cost amortises per meter — tooling inside the metre number
minimum order with a new die — 150 m vs 500 m gates
die making adds 7–12 days — calendar inside the 30–40 day path
who owns the die — title after the trial bar

Terms used in this article

RFQ: Request for quotation: the drawing and commercial pack a factory needs to price a job.
Drawing review: Engineering check of walls, hollows, tolerances and finish before die steel is cut.
Price validity: Calendar window during which quoted metal and process numbers still hold.
Incoterm: Rule that splits freight, insurance and risk (FOB, CIF, DAP, DDP).
First article: Sample bars from the production die used to approve fit and finish before the bulk lot.

Questions buyers ask

What do you need from me to start?

A dimensioned section (PDF, DWG, DXF, STEP or IGES), alloy and temper, finish, cut lengths, quantity in metres or tonnes, and the Incoterm with destination. Mark critical dimensions. With that package we return a line-item quote and a manufacturability note; missing finish or quantity is what usually stalls the first reply.

Can I approve a sample first?

Yes. Off-tool or first-article bars can ship before the production lot. Approve slot fit, finish colour and cut length on the sample, then release the balance. Sample lead time sits inside the new-die or existing-die window quoted for the order.

What happens if my drawing changes?

A revision after die trial usually means a die rework or a new tool, plus a fresh sample. Small machining-only changes on an existing die are cheaper. Freeze the section before the die is cut whenever possible; call out revision letters on every file you send.

How do I track the order?

After deposit we share the stage dates: die (if new), press, finish, packing and ETAs against the Incoterm. You get the booking once the 70% balance clears before shipment, or against L/C at sight terms on the order confirmation.

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Send the drawing pack and quantity in one file set

Attach PDF/DWG/DXF (and STEP if you have it), name finish, metres, die status and Incoterm, and we will return a staged quote with validity dates before any die steel is cut.

Request a quote