How We Work — China Metal Parts Sourcing Process

HOW WE WORK

From a sketch to parts at your dock — with a gate at every step.

No black boxes. You see the schedule, approve the first article, and know exactly who owns what. Here's the path.

SCHEDULE NODES

The path, node by node

Typical timing — your part may move faster or slower.

NODE 0Day 0–1

Inquiry & first evaluation

Send a sketch, sample, drawing or a need. NDA on request. Your first part evaluation is free — honest assessment and a budget range within one working day.

NODE 1Day 2–5

Engineering & quote

DFM review, process selection, tolerance and material plan, and a landed-cost estimate with tariff exposure known up front. You see the factory price and my fee separately.

NODE 2Week 1–3

Factory match & sample

I match the right vetted shop(s) and have a sample / first article made. Multi-process jobs are coordinated as one package.

NODE 3GATE

First-article approval

You receive the FAI report and sample. Volume starts only after you sign off. This is the point of no surprises.

NODE 4per part

Production

Volume run with in-process QC checkpoints. Lead time depends on process and batch — stated in the quote, tracked on a shared board.

NODE 5few days

Inspection & packing

Pre-shipment inspection, photos, export-grade packaging and the paperwork (CoC, inspection report, customs docs) packed with the parts.

NODE 6door

Delivery & follow-up

Freight to your dock per the agreed Incoterms. Install feedback, quality claims and reorders handled after arrival.

FIRST-ARTICLE SIGN-OFF

We don't guess. We approve, then build.

Make one first

Before any volume, a first article is produced to the locked drawing — the real part, not a rendering.

Measure it

Dimensional inspection against every critical feature; the FAI report goes to you with photos.

You sign off

Volume runs only after your written approval. Changes found here cost cents; found in 5,000 units, they cost the job.

If the first article shows a design won't cast, a tolerance can't hold, or a finish won't take — you hear it at Node 3, not at the dock.

PACKAGING & SHIPPING

Parts arrive usable, not just finished.

Export packaging

Damp-proof, shock-rated, clearly labeled — built for the journey, not the showroom.

Incoterms, your call

EXW / FCA / FOB / CIF / DAP / DDP — you pick the split of cost and risk; I plan around it.

📄

Documents in the box

CoC, inspection report and customs paperwork prepared so clearance doesn't stall.

🛡

Tariff planned, not surprised

US Section 232 and EU anti-dumping exposure confirmed before you commit — the dock number matches the quote.

RESPONSIBILITY BOUNDARIES

Who owns what — stated plainly.

Ling Jin owns

  • Engineering & DFM review
  • Factory selection & coordination
  • Quality control & inspection
  • Landed-cost & tariff planning
  • Communication & issue resolution

You own

  • Drawings, specs & acceptance criteria
  • Commercial terms with the factory
  • Final acceptance of the part
  • Import duties in your country (unless DDP)
  • Intellectual property & certifications

Factory owns

  • Actual production to the locked spec
  • Capacity, scheduling & lead time
  • Their labor, safety & facility
  • Sub-processes they subcontract
  • Day-to-day shop-floor execution

I coordinate the factory — I don't hide it. You deal with the factory commercially; I make sure it's the right factory and the parts are right.

Ready to start at Node 0? First evaluation free

Send your drawing — honest assessment within one working day.

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