MATERIAL PURCHASING & PROCESS GUIDE
Ask for the document that answers your purchasing question: conformity, material test results, batch analysis or dimensional inspection. Document availability and traceability are agreed before material purchasing.
SPECIFICATION REFERENCE
The title of a document does not tell you every result it contains. Identify the issuing organization, material or part reference, specification and heat or lot linkage that your order needs.
A declaration that the identified supply conforms to the stated order or specifications. It is not, by its name alone, a table of measured chemical, mechanical or dimensional results. State whether you need a material supplier’s declaration, a finished-part declaration, or both.
Useful question: which order, drawing revision and specifications does the declaration cover?A report associated with the supplied material, commonly containing the stated grade, heat or lot identity and applicable test results. The exact chemistry and mechanical tests depend on the product specification and report. “MTR” by itself does not specify an EN 10204 document type.
Useful question: do the reported results and heat/lot references cover the stock purchased for this order?An inspection certificate with specific inspection results, validated by the manufacturer’s authorized inspection representative independent of the manufacturing department. It is not automatically third-party certification, and EN 10204 specifies the document type rather than the material grade.
Useful question: is type 3.1 required with the applicable product standard, and can it be sourced before purchasing?A product- or batch-related record of the analyses reported by its issuer. Ask which properties were tested, against which specification and for which lot. A polymer supplier’s CoA should not be assumed to contain the same results as a metal MTR.
Useful question: does the analysis include the property your specification actually requires?| Type | What the document provides | Validation / scope | Reference / next step |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2.1 | Declaration of compliance with the order; no test results | Manufacturer declaration | BSSA reference (opens in a new tab) |
| 2.2 | Declaration of compliance with results from non-specific inspection | Results need not come from the particular products delivered | BSSA reference (opens in a new tab) |
| 3.1 | Compliance declaration and results of specific inspection | Manufacturer representative independent of manufacturing | BSSA reference (opens in a new tab) |
| 3.2 | Compliance declaration and results of specific inspection | Manufacturer representative plus purchaser representative or designated inspector | BSSA reference (opens in a new tab) |
A CMM excerpt can demonstrate a measured feature on the reported part. It does not establish chemistry, heat treatment or material traceability. Conversely, a mill report does not show that your bore or datum requirement has been measured.
Specify the linkage you need between incoming stock, cutting or machining batches, delivered parts and accompanying documents. If individual part marking or segregated lots are required, include that scope when requesting the quote.
For a mandatory certificate, ask for confirmation of its source and contents before material purchasing. A generic sample can help define the expected format, but it is not evidence for a later supplied lot.
DRAWING TO QUOTATION
Send the drawing and quantity. We’ll review the material, machining route, finish and inspection requirements together.
Response within 24 hours of receiving complete project details.
Details already in your drawing do not need to be repeated. If a material is undecided, tell us what the part needs to do.