FAQ

Straight answers

Billing, file handoffs, NDAs, and how we plug into your shop—without the agency fluff.

How fast can you start?: DFM audits clock in within 48 hours of file intake and scope confirmation. Larger production packages depend on queue depth—we'll quote a realistic start date on the kickoff call.
Do you sign NDAs?: Yes. Most clients send their standard mutual NDA; we execute before moving CAD. If you need vendor-specific paperwork, send it with your first email.
What file formats do you prefer?: Native CAD when possible (STEP, SLDPRT/SLDASM, IPT/IAM, or Parasolid) plus released PDF drawings and the BOM you quote from. If you only have PDFs, say so—we'll scope feasibility up front.
How is this different from hiring?: A junior mechanical engineer in Cookeville and the broader Upper Cumberland market often lands at ~$6,500/month loaded. Our retainers run $1,500–$3,500/month with predictable deliverables—no recruiting cycle, no benefits stack.
What if we only need help occasionally?: Start with the audit or a single production-ready project. There’s no retainer required to begin. Scale up only when the inbound work justifies it.
Will you talk to our fabricator directly?: When you want us to. We can route RFIs and revisions through your team—or interface with the shop if that keeps the release cleaner.
What does the audit guarantee cover?: If we can’t identify at least one concrete improvement to cost or lead time, the audit is free. It’s deliberately narrow—we’re betting on finding value in almost every package.

Still unsure?

Talk to a human

If your question is program-specific, the fastest path is a 30-minute call—no obligation, no slide deck.

Deep dive the 48-hour audit—scope, deliverables, and guarantee.