| 1 | Compare carbide grade before comparing price | Tungsten carbide percentage, cobalt binder content, grain size, hardness, and transverse rupture strength | Common wear-grade ranges are approximately 6–15% cobalt, 0.5–2.0 μm grain size, and about 1,400–2,000 HV hardness | 10–50 pieces for standard sizes; custom designs may require 100–500 pieces | 3–6 weeks for standard grades; 6–10 weeks for custom compositions | Request the material certificate, inspection standard, and whether the quoted price includes coating or surface treatment |
| 2 | Normalize the price comparison | Part size, geometry, tolerance, grinding requirement, quantity, and inspection scope | Indicative small-to-medium precision carbide stator components: approximately USD 25–180 per piece; complex large parts may exceed USD 250 | Standard parts generally have lower MOQs and lower unit prices at 100+ pieces | Price breaks commonly appear at 50, 100, 500, and 1,000 pieces | Compare the same Incoterm, currency, packing method, tooling charge, taxes, and inspection fees |
| 3 | Check minimum order quantities and tooling charges | Standard versus custom tooling, mold ownership, repeat-order terms, and sample policy | Prototype tooling can range from about USD 100–1,500 depending on geometry; production tooling may be higher | Prototype: 1–10 pieces; trial production: 20–100 pieces; mass production: commonly 100+ pieces | Sample preparation is often 2–5 weeks, excluding customer approval time | Confirm whether tooling is refundable, transferable, or retained by the manufacturer after order completion |
| 4 | Evaluate lead time against your production schedule | Raw-material availability, sintering capacity, CNC grinding, coating, inspection, and queue position | Standard repeat orders: about 4–8 weeks; new custom orders: about 8–14 weeks | Larger quantities may be split into partial shipments to reduce production risk | Add approximately 1–2 weeks for first-article approval and 1–3 weeks for special coating or secondary operations | Obtain a written production milestone schedule, including sample approval, finished-goods inspection, and dispatch date |
| 5 | Specify tolerances and quality documentation | Dimensional tolerance, flatness, concentricity, surface roughness, density, hardness, and lot traceability | Precision-ground features may require approximately ±0.01–0.03 mm tolerance, depending on size and geometry | Inspection requirements usually do not change MOQ, but tighter tolerances can increase setup and unit costs | Allow 2–7 working days for dimensional reports and material certificates after production | Agree on the inspection method, sampling level, nonconformance process, and acceptance criteria before production |
| 6 | Compare Incoterms and landed cost | EXW, FCA, FOB, CIF, CPT, or DAP quotation; freight mode; insurance; customs responsibility | Air freight is faster but usually costs more per kilogram; sea freight is generally economical for larger, heavier consignments | MOQ may be based on pieces, carton quantity, or shipment value rather than weight | Typical transit ranges: air express 3–10 days; air cargo 5–15 days; sea freight about 20–45 days, excluding customs | Confirm who pays export clearance, import duties, VAT or GST, destination handling, insurance, and customs brokerage |
| 7 | Assess packaging and after-sales risk | Individual protection, corrosion prevention, shock resistance, moisture control, spare quantity, and replacement policy | Carbide parts should be separated with protective material and secured in rigid export packaging to prevent edge chipping | Ask whether one or two replacement pieces can be added to larger orders without changing the MOQ | Damage claims should be reported promptly, commonly within 7–14 days after delivery | Define photographic evidence, inspection timing, replacement or credit terms, and responsibility for transport damage |
