Guides / Choosing a Supplier
How to Choose a 5-Axis Machining Service: Questions to Ask Before You Send a Drawing
September 26, 2026
Sending a drawing to a shop you have never worked with is a small risk that gets larger with the value of the part. Twelve direct questions, asked before the drawing goes out, separate a shop worth quoting from one that will waste your time.
1. Which 5-axis machines do you run, and how many?
A shop with one 5-axis machine shared across every customer has a different capacity story than one with several. Ask the brand, size and whether it is simultaneous or 3+2 capable, since some machines only tilt and lock.
2. What is the largest part you can hold?
Machine envelope and table load capacity set a hard limit. A shop that quotes without checking this can end up needing a second setup they did not price for.
3. Which materials do you cut every week?
A shop that runs aluminum daily but rarely touches titanium or Inconel will quote those materials with more caution, longer lead time or a higher price to cover the learning curve.
4. Do you program simultaneous 5-axis in house?
Some shops outsource complex CAM programming. That is not disqualifying, but it changes lead time and who to ask when a toolpath question comes up mid-project.
5. How do you inspect, and can I get a CMM report?
A caliper check and a full CMM report against every drawing callout are different scopes. Ask what is included by default and what costs extra.
6. Will you sign an NDA before seeing the drawing?
Most established shops will sign a short mutual NDA for a genuinely sensitive design. A flat refusal is worth a second look, though it does not automatically mean bad intent.
7. What is the lead time for first article and for repeats?
The first order pays for programming and fixturing. Ask directly whether the quoted lead time assumes material is in stock, since an uncommon alloy can add weeks.
8. Who handles finishing and heat treatment?
Anodizing, plating and heat treatment are usually done by outside specialists. Ask whether the shop manages that scheduling or leaves it to you.
9. How do you handle a part that fails inspection?
The answer reveals more about a shop’s process than almost any other question. Listen for a specific corrective action process, not a general assurance.
10. What is your minimum order value or quantity?
Some shops are sized for production runs and price a single prototype accordingly. Knowing this before you send the RFQ avoids a surprising quote for a small order.
11. Who is my contact, and how fast do they reply?
A named contact who answers questions during quoting is a reasonable predictor of how the relationship runs once the order is placed.
12. What happens if I need to reorder in six months?
A shop that keeps the program and fixture for a repeat order can turn it around faster and often cheaper than starting over. Ask whether that applies to your part.
Or skip the screening
A matching service that already asks shops these questions before adding them to a network saves you the twelve emails. Send your drawing and we match you with up to 3 shops that already answered the questions that matter for your part.
The short version
These twelve questions take one email to ask and reveal more than a glossy capability statement. A shop that answers directly, with specifics, is worth sending a drawing to. A shop that answers vaguely is telling you something too.
Frequently asked questions
What is the single most useful question to ask a 5-axis shop?
Which 5-axis machines do you run, and how many, since it tells you whether the shop has real capacity or one machine shared across every customer.
Should I ask for references or a client list?
A shop's own inspection reports and sample parts tell you more about fit for your part than a client list, which rarely says anything about capability.
Is it reasonable to expect an answer to all 12 questions in one email?
Yes for an established shop. A vague or partial answer to basic questions about machines, tolerance and inspection is itself useful information.
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