# How to send drawings for an engineering review

2026-08-20 · Article

STEP, STP, PDF, DWG, or DXF. Confidential by default. NDA on request. What happens after you hit send.

You do not need a signed NDA to start a quote. Send the drawing. We treat it as confidential.

## What to send

- Native or neutral CAD: STEP or STP
- Drawing PDF with dimensions and tolerances
- DWG or DXF if that is what you have
- Notes on quantity, target date, and any process you already specified (mill, turn, laser, weld, mold)

A physical sample can work for reverse engineering. We issue a drawing for your approval before production.

## What happens next

1. John or Ed opens the files. They stay inside the quote path. They are not used as a product line of our own.
2. Engineering review of process route: milling, turning, Swiss, laser, weld, assembly, or Shenzhen molding if the part is a molded or overmolded piece.
3. Quote with a realistic lead time. Prototypes and first articles (1-50) are typically 2-4 weeks. Production (100+) is typically 4-8 weeks. Mold tools in Shenzhen are typically 25-30 days.
4. First article, then production. Qualifying orders over 25 kg can ship DDP.

If your legal team wants paper, download our mutual NDA or send yours. We countersign. If you use DocuSign or similar, we sign in your system.

## What we will not invent on the quote

We do not claim helium leak testing or ASME unless the job needs it and we have said so in writing. We name in-house vs partner processes. We do not quote a price in chat.

Send files: [sunbirdmanufacturing.com/rfq](/rfq)