Online Help and Support
Frequently Asked Questions
Quoting & Orders
You can reach our customer support team by using the support request link below, emailing support@rapidcncparts.com, or by submitting a Support Request. We are happy to help answer questions about placing an order on our website or using the instant quote engine to request a manual quote. We will either respond to your message or contact you directly over the phone to discuss your request. Please note that our staff is unable to provide quotes over the phone.
For the fastest service please use our Instant Quote or if you need a material that is not available for a part, please use the contact form below and include all relevant documentation and information for your request. Our dedicated team is available during standard business hours Mountain Time.
We’re committed to providing prompt and effective solutions to ensure your satisfaction.
Orders can be cancelled only if production has not started. Please contact us immediately by phone or our Support Request form if you'd like to cancel an order.
Our Instant Quote system uses advanced DFM logic to generate fast and competitive pricing based on your part’s geometry, material, and quantity. While highly accurate for most parts, final pricing may be adjusted during a manual review if your part includes features not supported by our standard tooling or processes.
Parts may be flagged for manual review if they exceed our automated quoting thresholds for complexity, quantity, size, or price.
Common reasons include unsupported geometry, unsupported features like undercuts or custom threads, or high-volume production requests.
When this happens, our team steps in to ensure accurate pricing and manufacturability and will follow up with any questions or feedback.
Yes! While our Instant Quote system provides competitive pricing for low to mid-volume orders, larger quantities may qualify for volume-based discounts.
If your order includes:
- High part quantities (typically 100+ units)
- Multiple line items
- Recurring or scheduled production runs
You may see a message prompting manual review — this allows our team to assess your project and offer the best possible pricing and lead times.
📬 Have a high-volume project in mind? Just submit your order through the quote portal or contact us and we’ll follow up with customized pricing options.
🎉 Want to catch occasional discounts and special promotions?
We sometimes run limited-time offers — the best way to hear about them is by:
- Subscribing to our newsletter
- Following us on social media (Instagram, LinkedIn, Facebook, X - see the links at the bottom of this page!)
- Stay connected and don’t miss out!
Yes, we accept purchase orders (POs) from customers who have established payment terms with us. If you're a business interested in setting up payment terms, we offer net terms upon approval of a completed credit application. To get started, please contact our team to request the credit application and begin the account setup process.
File Uploads & Design Requirements
For security reasons and to protect your intellectual property, all part files must be uploaded through our Instant Quote Portal. This ensures your data is handled securely and in accordance with our Privacy Policy.
If you're experiencing issues with the upload process, please submit a support request. A member of our team will follow up by email or phone to help guide you through placing your order.
🔒 Please note:
Our team is not equipped to troubleshoot individual CAD files or CAD software issues. We can only accept standard .STP or .STEP files exported from your CAD program. If you're having trouble exporting in a compatible format, we recommend contacting your CAD software vendor for assistance — some platforms require specific steps or settings to properly generate a valid file.
🔗 See also: What is a .STP or .STEP file? for more information on supported file formats.
Uploaded part files are automatically deleted from our system 90 days after upload. Any failed or incomplete uploads are typically removed within 7 days.
We handle all files and associated data in accordance with our Privacy Policy, and you retain full ownership of your designs. Your files are never shared, copied, sold, or shared. Files are stored securely and only used to generate quotes or fulfill your order.
Do you have special data handling requirements? Feel free to Contact Us — we’re happy to help.
Can I request a file to be deleted sooner? Yes absolutely, provided it is not associated with a current or recent order — you may use the Support Request form to submit a deletion request. We're happy to assist.
A .STP or .STEP file is a neutral 3D CAD file format used to transfer part models between different CAD software platforms. It’s based on the STEP (Standard for the Exchange of Product Model Data) standard — which makes it ideal for sharing precise 3D geometry for manufacturing.
These files contain solid model data and are widely supported by professional CAD programs such as:
- Fusion 360
- SolidWorks
- Inventor
- Onshape
- Siemens NX
- FreeCAD (and more)
✅ At Rapid CNC Parts.com, .STP and .STEP files are the only formats accepted for instant quoting. These formats ensure your design is properly interpreted for accurate pricing and manufacturability analysis.
If you're not sure how to export a .STEP file, check your CAD software’s documentation or help center. Most platforms allow you to “Export” or “Save As” and choose .STEP or .STP from the file type list.
In order to keep part costs low and maintain a streamlined process, we don’t offer individualized one-on-one design feedback at this time. That type of custom consultation is typically provided by traditional job shops and is often built into their pricing.
However, if you are a business customer planning a production run and you're seeing DFM feedback or warnings, please contact us. We're happy to evaluate your design and determine whether it can fit within our production model.
For general guidance, we recommend reviewing our Design Guidelines to ensure your part is compatible with our Instant Quote process.
We support standard UNC/UNF and metric threads.
To ensure threads are correctly quoted and machined please include a drawing or notes indicating thread types and quantities.
If your model lacks clear threading info, our team may reach out to confirm during review.
Our instant quoting engine currently supports 3D geometry files such as .STP, and .STEP format. Manual drawings or parts that have not been modeled in a compatible CAD file format are not able to be quoted by our quoting engine at this time.
Please visit our Resource Center to learn more about free tools available to design and draw a part. Learning to draw simple parts is easy and there are many free tools available to use for this.
Our instant quoting engine currently supports parts machined out of Aluminum 6061. We plan to add additional materials to our engine in the coming months. For a manual quote on a material that is not currently in our instant quoting engine, please use the customer contact form at the link below and we will be happy to assist.
Great question — learning CAD (Computer-Aided Design) is a powerful skill that opens the door to designing and manufacturing your own custom parts.
We’ve created a Resource Center with links to beginner-friendly tutorials, free and paid CAD software options, and helpful guides on how to design parts that are machinable and quote-ready.
Whether you're a student, hobbyist, or entrepreneur, you’ll find tools to get started quickly — no prior experience required.
Some of the popular free or low-cost CAD platforms for individuals learning include:
- Fusion 360 (free for hobbyists/startups)
- SolidWorks (free or low-cost editions for hobby or educational use)
- Onshape (cloud-based, free for non-commercial use)
- FreeCAD (open source)
And don’t forget to check out our Design Guidelines for tips on how to create parts that are compatible with our instant quote system — including file formats, tolerances, and features to avoid.
💡Pro Tip: Our service is designed to work best with simple, highly machinable parts that fit inside a 6"x6"x6" envelope. If you can draw it in CAD, we can likely machine it!
At this time, we do not accept customer-supplied parts for modification or secondary machining operations. Our process is optimized for machining parts from raw stock material based on your uploaded CAD model.
This helps us maintain quality, consistency, and fast turnaround times across all orders.
If you need a modified version of an existing part, we recommend creating or updating a CAD model with the required features and submitting it through our Instant Quote Portal.
Capabilities & Compliance
Our instant quoting engine currently is setup to support the bar stock that we have on hand and in stock which is Aluminum 6061 up to 6"x6"x6" cubed and flat parts that can be machined out of Aluminum plate up to 3" thick by 8" wide by 24" long. At this time, our instant quote engine only supports instantly quoting parts that fall inside the 6"x6"x6" cube area and follow our design guidelines. Parts larger than what is described here will require a manual review and quote. In the coming weeks and months, we will be expanding stock sizes available inside our instant quoting engine.
For a manual quote please use the instant quoting engine at the link below to upload your part and the software will guide you through uploading the part file securely for our team to review.
Our instant quoting engine currently supports parts machined out of Aluminum 6061. We plan to add additional materials to our engine in the coming months. For a manual quote on a material that is not currently in our instant quoting engine, please use the customer contact form at the link below and we will be happy to assist.
All parts are machined right here in the USA, at our facility in Delta, Utah, using USA-sourced materials. We take pride in delivering precision parts with rapid turnaround — no offshore delays or hidden tariffs.
We plan to certify our Instant Quote Online service in the future. If any components require ITAR compliance, please contact our customer service team to arrange secure file sharing for a manual quote.
Yes — if your project requires additional confidentiality beyond our standard privacy policy, we’re happy to sign a mutual non-disclosure agreement (NDA).
Please contact us with your NDA and project information to start the process.
Shipping & Delivery
Lead times for aluminum parts with simple geometry are typically 3–5 business days. Our Instant Quote engine provides estimated lead times, and expedited production options are available for an additional fee. More complex parts may require longer lead times.
While we make every effort to meet the quoted timelines, lead times are not guaranteed and only provided as an estimate. If we anticipate any significant delays beyond the original estimate our team will reach out to discuss your order, and possible solutions.
You can check the status of your order at any time through our website using the link in your order confirmation e-mail.
We can accommodate most packaging, labeling, part numbers, and PO references on request.
Include your requirements in the order notes during checkout or let us know through a Support Request after submitting your quote.
We typically ship orders via UPS or FedEx, based on destination, service speed, and cost efficiency.
At this time, all shipments are processed through our internal shipping accounts to keep the workflow streamlined.
However, if you're a business customer managing a large production run or placing recurring orders, we’re happy to discuss custom shipping arrangements. Please contact us to coordinate options that best suit your logistics needs.
Returns, Security & Polices
Due to the custom-manufactured nature of our products, please be aware that all sales are final as stated in the order checkout confirmation. Please see our full return and refund policy for more detail in the link below.
Do you offer a warranty or guarantee on parts?
We stand by the quality and craftsmanship of the parts we machine. Our warranty guarantees that the parts we manufactured and delivered to you will match your ordered specifications and be free of defects in workmanship in the manufacturing process.
How to Submit an Order with Rapid CNC Parts.com Instant Quote
Watch this short video to see exactly how to upload your file, select materials, customize your options, and submit your custom CNC machining order.
Troubleshooting Common Manufacturability Issues
Running into problems? Here are the most common issues users experience during quoting or ordering—and how to handle them:
File Format Not Uploading
- Ensure your file has a valid .STP or .STEP extension.
- Export directly from your CAD program as a STEP file — STL, IGES, and native formats are not supported at this time.
💡 Tip: Try re-exporting your file if upload fails. Still stuck? Click the Ask for Help link inside the quote page, this will securely attach the part file to your request.
DFM Warnings or Errors
Our system checks for manufacturability issues during quoting.
- Common issues include undercuts, wall thickness, or unsupported threads.
- If a warning appears, you can still place the order for manual review.
- Our team will evaluate the part and respond with feedback, options, or final approval.
🔗 View our full Design for Manufacturability (DFM) Guidelines
- Helpful if you want to improve your model before resubmitting!
Part Size Limitations
- Larger parts may not quote automatically and may require manual review.
- This limitation allows us to provide rapid, cost-effective service for small to mid-size components.
🚀 We’re working on expanding support for larger parts in the near future.
Large Part Quantities
Large quantities may also trigger a manual review so we can ensure we provide the best pricing and to ensure accurate production and delivery time frames.
📬 You can still submit these orders — our team will follow up with custom pricing.
Order Value or Part Value
High-value parts or orders may be flagged for manual review to ensure accuracy and the best pricing.
⚖️ If your order is flagged, just submit it for review — we’ll confirm final pricing shortly.
“Part Not Supported” / Geometry Too Complex
If you see a “Part Not Supported” message, your part likely contains advanced geometry features such as:
- Undercuts, organic surfaces, intricate internal channels, or excessive complexity.
🔍 Submit the part — we’ll take a look and respond with next steps.
Rapid CNC Parts.com: The Future of Manufacturing Starts Here.
Get your project moving faster with our instant online quoting tool—experience precision and speed like never before.
Still not able to find what you need?
Please contact our team for support and we'll be happy to help!
Submit a Support Request