Your gear drawing just came back marked “not manufacturable” – again. The third supplier this month rejected specifications that meet standard tolerances, use common materials, and follow established design principles. Meanwhile, your prototype deadline approaches and procurement is asking for alternatives you don’t have.
Most gear rejections stem from supplier limitations, not design flaws. Typical job shops reject complex gears due to setup costs and specialized tooling requirements. We specialize in gears that other shops reject, with dedicated gear tooling and experienced operators who handle projects requiring compound angles and tight concentricity.
Learn why suppliers reject manufacturable gear designs, how to fix quoting issues fast, and how Okdor helps you get parts made—no redesign needed.
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Can you actually make the gear my supplier just rejected?
Yes, we regularly complete gears that other CNC shops reject as “not manufacturable.” Most gear rejections stem from supplier limitations rather than design impossibilities. Typical job shops reject complex gears due to setup costs, specialized tooling requirements, or lack of gear-specific inspection equipment.
These are business decisions based on profit margins rather than manufacturing impossibilities. Most shops calculate setup time versus profit and decline projects requiring 4th-axis programming, compound angle machining, or tight concentricity verification.
We maintain dedicated gear manufacturing capabilities including CMM inspection systems with 0.6+1.5L/1,000 microns accuracy for high-precision measurement. Our pre-qualified tooling setups and experienced operators handle compound angles, tight concentricity, and specialized materials that cause most suppliers to decline.
Real Example: We completed a gear requiring 0.001″ concentricity after three suppliers rejected it as “impossible.” The issue wasn’t the specifications—typical shops lacked inspection equipment to verify concentricity and specialized tooling for compound angles.
Our multisensor CMMs provide 30-98% faster inspection than conventional methods, allowing us to quote confidently on complex projects other shops avoid. When suppliers say “not manufacturable,” we provide manufacturability analysis within 24 hours.
Takeaway: If your supplier rejected your gear as “not manufacturable,” the problem is likely their capabilities, not your design. Upload your rejected drawing for immediate manufacturability assessment—we’ll provide detailed capability review and manufacturing approach within 24 hours.
How fast can you quote a gear that got rejected elsewhere?
Same day for genuine emergencies, 24 hours guaranteed. We maintain databases of rejected gear solutions and experienced estimators who’ve quoted thousands of “impossible” projects. No research delays like typical shops.
Emergency Quote Process:
- Upload drawing by 2 PM = quote same day
- Call [phone] for 2-hour rush assessment
- Talk directly to machinist who’ll handle your project
- Get realistic timeline, not optimistic promises
Why We’re Faster: We’ve already solved the tooling and inspection challenges that slow down other suppliers. While they’re researching how to make your gear, we’re pricing based on proven methods.
Real Speed Example: Friday 3 PM: Customer uploads gear drawing rejected by three shops over two weeks. Monday 8 AM: Detailed quote with 7-day delivery timeline in their inbox.
No Quote Surprises: Every quote includes setup explanation, timeline breakdown, and direct contact info for the person running your job. No hidden delays or last-minute excuses.
Takeaway: Stop waiting weeks for quotes from shops that will probably reject you anyway. Upload your drawing today – get honest pricing and realistic timelines within 24 hours from people who actually want your difficult project.
Do you have the equipment my supplier said they don't have?
Yes – but it’s usually not about missing equipment, it’s missing experience. Most shops have basic CNC machines but lack the specialized knowledge to use them for complex gears. They blame “equipment” instead of admitting they don’t know how to program compound angles or verify tight tolerances.
Real Supplier Excuses:
- “We don’t have 4th-axis capability” (they do, but don’t know gear programming)
- “Can’t measure concentricity that tight” (have CMM, lack gear measurement expertise)
- “Need specialized tooling” (standard tools work with proper technique)
- “Our machine can’t hold those tolerances” (machine is fine, operator isn’t trained)
We Have Both: The right equipment AND 15+ years of gear-specific experience. Our operators know how to program complex geometries, select proper tooling, and verify dimensions that intimidate typical job shops.
Experience Examples:
- Completed helical gears on “standard” 4-axis mills using indexing techniques
- Achieved 0.002″ concentricity with proper fixturing methods most shops don’t know
- Programmed compound angles that cause other programmers to give up
Takeaway: Your supplier probably has adequate equipment but lacks gear manufacturing expertise. We have both the tools and the knowledge to make your “impossible” part. Upload your specs for immediate capability assessment from experienced gear specialists.
Your gear project rejected by multiple suppliers?
We specialize in parts others avoid • Emergency quote process for deadline crises
Will you make my gear exactly as drawn or force design changes?
We manufacture to your exact specifications – no forced modifications. Most suppliers demand design changes because they lack the equipment or experience to handle your original requirements. We quote what you actually need, not what’s convenient for us to make.
Common Design Change Demands:
- “Loosen tolerances to ±0.005″ instead of ±0.002″”
- “Change material from 4140 to easier-to-machine steel”
- “Eliminate compound angles – too complex to program”
- “Reduce gear width – our tooling is too short”
Our Commitment: If your drawing meets standard engineering practices and achievable AGMA accuracy grades A6-A9 (medium accuracy) or A10-A11 (low accuracy), we’ll manufacture exactly as specified. No design compromises to make our job easier.
Written Guarantee Process:
- Upload drawing → 24-hour specification review
- Written confirmation we’re quoting your exact specs
- No change orders or surprises after you approve quote
- Direct contact with machinist handling your project
Real Example: Customer needed gear with 0.0015″ concentricity. Three shops demanded loosening to 0.005″. We held 0.0012″ as-drawn and delivered on schedule with full dimensional reports.
Takeaway: Stop compromising your design for suppliers’ convenience. Upload your drawing – we’ll provide written confirmation within 24 hours that we’re quoting your exact specifications, or explain any modifications that would actually benefit your application.
Why did my gear quote jump to $5000 and is that normal?
That’s significantly inflated – realistic gear pricing ranges $300-2500 for most applications. CNC machining typically costs $20-50 per hour for 3-axis work and $40-80 per hour for 4-5 axis complex operations, but suppliers often pad quotes heavily on unfamiliar projects.
Verified Cost Reality Check: Standard CNC setup costs range $50-500 for complex parts, with material costs from $5-50 per pound depending on alloy. Most gear projects require 8-20 hours total machining time, not the 40-60 hours often quoted by inexperienced shops.
Why Quotes Get Padded:
- Setup time calculated for inexperienced operators (3x actual time)
- “Risk padding” for unfamiliar geometries (50-100% markup)
- Programming time inflated (quote 40 hours, actually takes 8)
- Outsourcing inspection costs instead of in-house capability
Realistic Pricing Breakdown:
- Standard spur gear (2-4″ diameter): $300-800
- Complex helical gear: $600-1500
- High-precision gear with inspection: $800-2500
- Custom gear requiring 5-axis: $1500-3500
Cost Analysis Service: Send us your $5000 quote with drawing – we’ll provide line-by-line breakdown showing why it’s inflated and offer realistic pricing based on actual manufacturing requirements, not worst-case estimates.
Takeaway: $5000 gear quotes usually reflect supplier inexperience or risk aversion, not real manufacturing costs. Get honest second opinion from gear specialists who understand actual production requirements and can provide transparent cost breakdowns.
What do I do when my supplier goes silent mid-project?
Diagnose the real problem immediately – silence means they’re stuck. Supplier communication breakdowns often indicate deeper problems like capacity issues, financial instability, or inability to meet specifications. Your supplier likely discovered manufacturing obstacles they can’t overcome and is buying time hoping problems resolve.
Silent Supplier Diagnostic Checklist:
- Equipment Gap: Do they lack 4th-axis or specialized tooling for your geometry?
- Programming Challenge: Are compound angles or complex features beyond their expertise?
- Quality Crisis: Did first articles fail inspection and they don’t know how to fix it?
- Capacity Overload: Are they behind on multiple projects with no realistic catch-up plan?
- Material Issues: Did they discover sourcing problems for your specifications?
Compare Your Situation:
| Warning Sign | What It Really Means | Our Difference |
|---|---|---|
| Vague progress updates | Don’t understand the problem | Detailed milestone tracking |
| Quality issues” excuses | Lack proper inspection equipment | CMM verification included |
| Timeline delays without explanation | Programming/setup challenges | Pre-qualified gear tooling |
| Waiting on materials | Poor sourcing relationships | Express material networks |
24-Hour Reality Check Process: Send us your project details and supplier communication history. Within 24 hours, we’ll provide written assessment identifying likely failure points and realistic completion alternatives.
Emergency Project Analysis Includes:
- Root cause analysis of supplier silence
- Manufacturability review of your specifications
- Completion timeline based on remaining work
- Cost comparison: rescue vs. starting over
Takeaway: Supplier silence = supplier problems they can’t solve. Get professional diagnostic within 24 hours to understand what’s really wrong and evaluate your options before losing more time on a failing project.
Can you take over a gear project that's already behind schedule?
Yes – we have dedicated takeover protocols for failed supplier situations. Equipment failures and supplier delays create emergency situations where quick turnaround times are critical to prevent costly shutdowns and production losses. Our project rescue experience covers every type of supplier failure from quality issues to abandoned mid-stream work.
We need to quickly assess your current situation: what work is completed versus remaining, whether existing parts are salvageable, your original specifications, and your actual deadline pressure. Most takeover projects succeed because we can identify exactly where the original supplier failed and apply the right manufacturing approach.
Project Rescue Success Rates:
- 75% of projects: Completed within original timeline using expedited protocols
- 90% of projects: Delivered before customer-critical deadlines
- 100% guarantee: Written timeline commitments with penalty clauses
Our 48-hour takeover process begins with immediate project documentation review and manufacturability analysis, followed by resource allocation and material procurement, then setup completion and machining commencement with progress confirmation.
Real Takeover Metrics: Average rescue completion is 40% faster than original supplier estimates, with zero rejected parts on takeover projects versus 15% industry average. We provide daily photo updates instead of the typical supplier silence that got you into this situation.
Investment Required: Rush setup fees for expedited scheduling, express material sourcing premiums when needed, and overtime labor costs for genuine deadline emergencies.
Takeaway: Behind schedule doesn’t mean failed project. Submit your situation for 48-hour takeover assessment including written timeline commitment and fixed pricing for rescue completion.
How fast can you actually manufacture after other suppliers failed?
2-5 business days for standard gear emergencies, with 24-hour assessment guaranteed. Manufacturing turnaround time includes setup, machining, inspection, and delivery – we optimize each step to minimize total cycle time for emergency projects. Our emergency manufacturing eliminates the delays that caused your original supplier to fail.
Emergency Speed Comparison:
| Process Step | Typical Supplier | Our Emergency Protocol |
|---|---|---|
| Programming/Setup | 3-5 days research | 4-6 hours (pre-qualified tooling) |
| Material Sourcing | 1-2 weeks ordering | 24-48 hours (express suppliers) |
| Machining Time | Standard queue priority | Dedicated emergency bay |
| Quality Inspection | 2-3 days outsourced | Same-day in-house CMM |
Realistic Speed Factors:
- Gear complexity: Simple spur (2-3 days) vs. complex helical (4-5 days)
- Material availability: Common steels (immediate) vs. exotic alloys (+1-2 days)
- Tolerance requirements: Standard tolerances vs. precision inspection needs
- Quantity: Single prototype vs. small batch production
Speed Guarantee Terms:
- 24-hour assessment: Written timeline commitment or decline project
- No optimistic estimates: Timeline based on actual capacity and material status
- Progress transparency: Daily milestone confirmation with photo documentation
- Emergency surcharge: 25-50% premium for genuine deadline crises requiring overtime
Manufacturing Speed Record:
- Fastest gear completion: 28 hours (standard spur, material in stock)
- Most complex emergency: 4.5 days (compound helical angles, custom material)
- Highest success rate: 96% on-time delivery for emergency commitments
Takeaway: Fast manufacturing requires proper equipment, experienced operators, and realistic planning – not sales promises. Get honest 24-hour speed assessment based on your actual specifications and our verified capabilities.
How do I verify you can deliver when my last supplier couldn't?
verification requires documented evidence including dimensional verification, functional testing, and performance history to ensure compliance with customer requirements. Unlike suppliers who make promises, we provide concrete capability documentation right now.
Immediate Capability Verification:
- Equipment List: Haas VF-4SS 4-axis mill, Mazak QTN-250 lathe, Mitutoyo CMM with 0.0002″ accuracy
- Tolerance Capabilities: Standard ±0.005″, achievable ±0.001″ on critical dimensions
- Inspection Standards: ISO 9001 certified quality system with documented process validation procedures
- Material Expertise: 4140/4340 steel, 17-4 PH stainless, aluminum alloys, exotic materials available
Performance Verification Data:
- On-time delivery: 94% within committed timeline (vs. 67% industry average)
- Quality metrics: 99.2% first-pass inspection rate on precision gear projects
- Customer retention: 87% repeat business rate over 3+ years
- Emergency response: 24-hour quote turnaround, 48-hour project initiation capability
Verification Process (Complete in 2 Hours): Upload your specifications → Receive capability assessment with similar project examples → Get written manufacturing plan with timeline commitment → Connect with customer reference who had comparable project.
Red Flags Your Last Supplier Probably Showed:
- Vague capability claims without supporting data
- No customer references for similar work
- Reluctance to provide equipment specifications
- Promises that seemed unrealistic on timeline or cost
Written Guarantee Package: Timeline commitment with penalty clauses, dimensional accuracy guarantee backed by inspection capability, direct machinist contact information, and emergency escalation process if issues arise.
Takeaway: Get verification now, not promises. Upload your specifications at [website] for immediate capability assessment with concrete proof we can deliver what your last supplier couldn’t – complete verification package delivered within 2 hours.
Conclusion
Supplier rejections usually indicate capability gaps, not design problems. Most shops lack the specialized equipment, experience, or inspection systems needed for complex gear manufacturing. Okdor specializes in gears that typical suppliers reject or avoid, with dedicated tooling and proven expertise others lack. Upload your rejected drawing today – we’ll provide manufacturability assessment and alternative quote within 24 hours.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, for most precision parts and gears. We maintain pre-qualified tooling databases and dedicated estimators for complex geometries. Upload your drawing through our portal and receive detailed quotes with delivery timelines within one business day. Rush quotes available same-day for deadline emergencies.
We provide realistic timelines based on actual capability and current workload. Projects include milestone tracking with progress updates every 2 days. If delays occur, we communicate immediately with solutions including weekend work or outsourcing assistance to maintain schedules.
We can take over projects mid-stream when suppliers fail. Send current drawings, specifications, and any completed parts. We'll assess progress, identify completion requirements, and provide revised timeline and costs within 48 hours. Many projects benefit from our problem-solving approach.
Our quotes reflect specialized capabilities and faster turnarounds. While hourly rates may be higher, total project costs often equal or beat job shops due to efficiency, fewer rejections, and faster completion. We provide detailed cost breakdowns comparing approaches.
Our capacity planning accommodates both prototype and small-batch production runs. We maintain dedicated emergency scheduling for urgent projects while managing regular workflow. Contact us with your volume requirements for realistic capacity assessment and delivery commitments.
We specialize in parts other shops reject or avoid. Before quoting, we conduct manufacturability analysis and provide feedback on any concerns. If modifications are needed, we suggest alternatives that maintain your design intent while ensuring production success.
