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9 questions
Questions Our Customers Ask Most
Straight answers on quoting, tolerances, materials, lead times, drawings and delivery.
Getting a Quote
How to get pricing from our Smithfield workshop and what to send us.
How do I get a quote from McIver Engineering?
Send your drawings or CAD files to info@mciverengineering.com, call +61 2 9436 2820, or use the quote form on this site. Tell us the material, quantity and the date you need the parts, and we will come back with a fixed price. If a drawing is unclear we will call you before quoting rather than guess.
What information do you need to price a job accurately?
We need the part geometry, the material and grade, the quantity, and any critical tolerances or surface finish requirements. A STEP file plus a dimensioned drawing showing the critical features is the fastest combination to quote. If you are flexible on material or finish, say so, because it often reduces the price.
Is quoting free, and how long does a quote take?
Quoting is free and there is no obligation to proceed. Straightforward machined or laser cut parts are usually quoted within 24 hours, and complex assemblies can take up to 5 days because we may need to price bought-in items and finishing.
Capabilities and Tolerances
What we run on the floor and the accuracy we hold.
What tolerances can you hold?
We routinely hold tolerances as tight as 0.01 mm on critical features. General CNC milling and turning work is held within 0.05 mm to 0.1 mm depending on the part, the material and how it is fixtured. Call out the critical dimensions on your drawing and we will inspect to those specifically.
What processes do you run in house?
Design, CNC milling, CNC turning, fibre laser cutting, sheet metal folding, TIG and MIG welding and inspection all happen under one roof at Smithfield. Keeping the work in house means a machined component, a laser cut bracket and the weldment they go into are all controlled by the same team. Only specialist finishing such as plating and powder coating goes out to trusted local suppliers.
What part sizes can you machine?
Our mills handle parts up to 1200 x 600 mm, and for fabrication we work on components up to 1000 kg. Flat cut and folded parts are limited by our 3000 x 1500 mm laser bed. If your part is larger or heavier, send us the overall dimensions with your enquiry and we will confirm straight away whether we can take it on.
What thickness can your laser cut?
Our 6 kW Bystronic DNE fibre laser cuts mild steel up to 12 mm, stainless steel up to 10 mm and aluminium up to 8 mm in house, with thicker plate sourced for the customer up to 200 mm. Brass, copper and galvanised steel are also cut. The bed is 3000 x 1500 mm, so large panels and long brackets can be cut in one piece. Clean laser edges usually mean less dressing before welding or finishing.
Materials
What we machine, cut and weld, and how material is documented.
What materials can you machine?
We machine aluminium, mild and alloy steels, 304 and 316 stainless, brass, copper, bronze, tool steel and engineering plastics including nylon, acetal, Delrin and PEEK. Titanium and nickel alloys such as Inconel are also machined for aerospace and energy work. If you are unsure which grade suits the application, tell us the operating conditions and we will suggest options.
Do you supply material certificates?
Yes, we supply mill certificates and material traceability on request, and we recommend asking for them at the order stage so the right stock is allocated from the outset. Certificates are matched to the batch used on your job and issued with the delivery paperwork. Traceability is standard practice for our aerospace, defence and energy customers.
Can you supply the material, or should we send our own?
We normally supply the material, because it lets us control grade, certification and lead time in one place. You are also welcome to send free-issue material, in which case we will inspect it on arrival and confirm it is suitable before cutting. Free-issue stock should arrive with its certificate if traceability matters to you.
Can you help us choose a cheaper material without losing performance?
Yes, material substitution is one of the easiest ways to reduce the cost of a part, and we review it as part of quoting. Swapping a free-machining grade in place of a tough alloy, or aluminium in place of stainless where corrosion is not a factor, can cut machining time substantially. We will only suggest a change where the part still meets its duty.
Lead Times and Minimum Orders
How long jobs take and the smallest quantity we will make.
Is there a minimum order quantity?
No, there is no minimum order quantity. We machine single parts and one-off prototypes alongside repeat production batches from the same workshop. Small quantities cost more per part because setup is spread over fewer pieces, and the quote will show that clearly.
How long does a typical job take?
Standard lead time is 2 to 3 weeks, confirmed in writing with every quote. Simple laser cut and folded parts often move through faster, while multi-operation machined components or welded assemblies that need finishing can sit at the longer end of that range. If you have a deadline, tell us up front so we can plan the work to hit it.
Do you take one-off prototypes?
Yes, one-off prototypes are everyday work for us and there is no minimum quantity. We will machine a single part so you can prove fit and function before committing to a production run or to tooling. Because the same team then makes the production parts, what you approve on the prototype is what gets repeated.
Can you help with an urgent breakdown or a rush job?
Yes, we regularly turn around breakdown work where a machine is down and a part is needed quickly, subject to what is currently on the floor. Call +61 2 9436 2820 rather than emailing for anything urgent so we can tell you immediately whether we can help. Bringing the broken part to Smithfield is often faster than waiting on a drawing.
Can you hold stock and supply on a schedule?
Yes, many clients set up repeat orders where we manufacture to an agreed schedule and call off deliveries as needed. This keeps unit pricing stable and shortens effective lead time, because the setup work is already proven. Talk to us about volumes and we will structure something that suits your production plan.
Drawings and File Formats
What we can work from, including when no drawing exists.
What file formats do you accept?
We accept STEP, IGES, DXF, DWG and PDF drawings, and we can open native files from SolidWorks, Fusion 360, Inventor and AutoCAD. STEP is suitable for machined parts and DXF is suitable for laser cutting. A PDF drawing alongside the 3D model helps because it identifies the critical dimensions.
Can you quote from a sketch or an idea if I do not have drawings?
Yes. A hand sketch, a photo, a sample or a description of what you need is enough to get started. We do design in house at our Smithfield workshop, so we can turn your idea into drawings and then make the part under the same roof. Send us what you have and we will let you know if we need anything else to quote it. Where design work is needed, it is quoted as a separate one off fee, so you know the cost before anything is made.
Can you machine from a sample rather than a drawing?
Yes, we can machine directly from a sample part, which is common for obsolete components with no surviving documentation. We measure the sample, produce a drawing or model, and confirm the critical dimensions with you before cutting metal. Where a part has worn or been damaged, we will ask how it should function so the replacement is right rather than a copy of the fault.
Do you offer reverse engineering and drawing creation?
Yes, we reverse engineer parts and produce the CAD model and drawing set as a deliverable you keep. This gives you documentation for future orders instead of depending on a physical sample. It is especially useful for spare parts on older plant and imported machinery.
Will you review our design before manufacturing?
Yes, every job gets a design for manufacture review before we start, at no extra charge. We flag features that are expensive or risky to produce, such as unnecessarily tight tolerances, deep narrow pockets or internal corners smaller than any available tool. Fixing these on the drawing is far cheaper than discovering them mid-run.
Is our design and intellectual property kept confidential?
Yes, your drawings, models and product designs are treated as confidential and are not shared or reused. We manufacture proprietary components for equipment makers who compete with each other, so this is fundamental to how we operate. We are happy to sign your non-disclosure agreement.
Delivery and Collection
How finished parts reach you, and where we are.
Do you deliver, or can we collect?
Collection is free from Unit 33, 317-321 Woodpark Road, Smithfield NSW 2164 during business hours, 8 am to 4 pm weekdays, and local Western Sydney customers frequently pick up the same day the job is finished. Local delivery is available on request and is quoted at the current local freight rate. For interstate and overseas work we arrange freight through our carriers or on your nominated freight account. Let us know at order stage which you prefer so the parts are packed accordingly.
Do you ship interstate and overseas?
Yes, we ship throughout Australia and export internationally from Sydney. Freight goes through our carriers or on your nominated freight account, whichever you prefer. Parts are packed to survive handling, and machined surfaces are protected against transit damage and corrosion.
What are your payment terms?
New customers are Cash on Delivery, or payment prior to dispatch. Approved account customers are on 30 day terms. We accept electronic funds transfer.
What happens if a part is not right?
Tell us straight away and we will inspect the part against the drawing and put it right. If the error is ours we remake or rework the part at our cost. Keeping the machining, fabrication and inspection in one workshop means there is no argument between suppliers about who is responsible.
Still Have Questions?
Our team is ready to assist with your specific requirements. Get in touch for a free consultation.