| 1 | Cutting Capability and Process Fit | 15% | Whether the supplier’s laser-cutting processes, equipment, and production setup suit the specified material, part geometry, and order volume. | A capability list, sample parts, equipment details, and confirmation that the proposed process matches the drawing and material specification. |
| 2 | Dimensional Quality and Inspection | 14% | How the supplier interprets tolerances and verifies critical dimensions. Feasible tolerances depend on material, thickness, geometry, and process conditions. | Inspection plans, sample measurement reports, calibrated measuring-equipment records, and agreement on drawing revisions and acceptance criteria. |
| 3 | Material Traceability | 12% | Ability to supply the specified material grade, thickness, and condition, and to trace incoming material through production where required. | Material certificates or inspection records, purchase specifications, lot identification procedures, and confirmation of approved substitutions. |
| 4 | Quality Management and Corrective Action | 12% | Documented controls for production, nonconforming parts, root-cause analysis, and corrective action. Certification should be checked for scope and validity. | Relevant quality-system certificates, process-control records, nonconformance procedures, and an example of a corrective-action report with confidential details removed. |
| 5 | Engineering Support and DFM Review | 10% | Ability to identify manufacturability concerns, clarify ambiguous drawings, and discuss nesting, kerf, edge condition, and downstream operations before production. | A sample design-for-manufacturing review, drawing clarification workflow, and documented approval process for engineering changes. |
| 6 | Lead Time and Delivery Control | 10% | Whether quoted lead times cover material sourcing, cutting, finishing, inspection, and packing, and whether schedule risks are communicated promptly. | A milestone-based production schedule, stated assumptions, capacity confirmation, and shipment or delivery updates for trial orders. |
| 7 | Finishing and Secondary Operations | 9% | Availability and control of required secondary work, such as deburring, bending, welding, coating, or assembly, whether performed in-house or through approved partners. | Process descriptions, finish specifications, inspection criteria, and clarity about which operations are subcontracted. |
| 8 | Quotation Transparency and Total Cost | 7% | Clarity on material, setup, cutting, finishing, packaging, tooling if applicable, shipping, and other charges; the lowest unit price alone may not represent the lowest total cost. | An itemized quotation, minimum-order terms, pricing assumptions, and a written process for approving cost changes. |
| 9 | Communication and Documentation | 6% | Responsiveness, technical clarity, version control, and ability to provide consistent order and inspection documentation. | A documented point of contact, response expectations, drawing-revision controls, and sample order records or inspection documents. |
| 10 | Packaging, Export, and Shipment Readiness | 5% | Packaging appropriate to part size, finish, and transport conditions, plus the ability to prepare agreed shipping and export documentation. | Packaging proposal, labeling details, shipping terms, and a checklist of documents required for the destination market. |