FAQ
Straight answers
Billing, file handoffs, NDAs, retainers, and how we plug into your shop—straight answers for fabrication and OEM teams evaluating mechanical engineering support in Cookeville and the Upper Cumberland.
- 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.
- What industries do you work with?
- Sheet-metal and weldment fabricators, job shops, OEM hardware teams, and startups moving from prototype to production. Most programs involve laser-cut, formed, welded, or machined assemblies—not consumer electronics alone.
- Do you work outside Cookeville?
- Yes. We're based in Cookeville, Tennessee, and serve the Upper Cumberland, Middle Tennessee, and remote clients who need shop-floor-native mechanical engineering. Most work is file-based; site visits are arranged when they add value.
- What does a production-ready package include?
- Typically: 3D models, fabrication drawings, flat patterns or CAM-ready exports, a structured BOM, and revision-controlled release notes. Scope is confirmed on the kickoff call so you know exactly what lands in your inbox.
Still unsure?
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