FAQs

General & Getting Started

Is it difficult to switch from my current supplier?

Not at all. Start small. Once we prove our value, you decide where we fit. We’re built to earn our place, not demand it.

Why not just go directly to a manufacturer?

You could — but you’d be chasing quotes, managing multiple suppliers, and handling quality issues yourself. Factorem simplifies everything: instant quoting, pre-vetted partners, one point of contact.

Can I start with just one prototype or sample order?

Absolutely. Many customers begin with a prototype, overflow, or problem part to test us. We earn your trust on execution.

Do I need to commit before quoting?

No. All quotes are free, fast, and no-obligation.

IP Security & Data Control

Can I choose where my job is produced (e.g. U.S. only)?

Yes. You control geographic sourcing preferences — U.S., Singapore, SEA, or tariff-free routing.

Will you sign our custom NDA?

Yes — we’re happy to sign your NDA in addition to our standard data protection protocols.

How is my IP protected?

All files are encrypted in transit and at rest. No supplier can access a design unless matched and NDA-approved.

Capabilities, Materials & Engineering Support

What’s the biggest misconception about CNC or 3D printing?

That it’s always cheap and fast. Tolerances, finishes, and complexity matter. We price for what it actually takes to make your part right.

How do you ensure manufacturability?

Every part goes through automated DFM checks and manual engineer review. We flag potential issues early (thin walls, overhangs, etc.).

Can you handle exotic materials or special requests?

Yes. We regularly quote titanium, PEEK, Delrin, overmolds, and more. Just ask.

What materials and finishes are available?

Metals: Aluminum, Steel, Brass, Copper, Titanium; Plastics: Nylon, PEEK, ABS, POM. Finishes: Anodizing, powder coating, polishing, plating, passivation, bead blasting, and more.

What manufacturing processes do you support?

CNC machining, 3D printing (FDM, SLA, SLS, MJF), sheet metal fabrication, injection molding, and a wide range of finishes.

Do you support both prototyping and production?

Yes. We support everything from one-off prototypes to 10,000+ production units. High-mix, low-volume is our strength.

Quality, Returns & Documentation

How do you maintain quality, especially with overseas suppliers?

We use a strict 20-point supplier vetting process, and every part is inspected before shipping—regardless of country.

Do you collect and verify supplier certifications?

Yes — 90% of our network is ISO certified. All certificates are validated and monitored.

How do you vet your suppliers?

We use 400+ performance data points: ISO certs, sample runs, audit scores, defect rate, delivery records. For every 1 accepted, 100 are rejected.

What documents can I request?

Material CoCs, RoHS, REACH, First Article Inspection reports, and more — just let us know.

Can I reject or return parts?

Yes. Just notify us. If it fails spec or tolerance, we take full responsibility.

What if a part doesn’t meet spec?

We’ll remake or refund it. No vendor runaround — we manage the return and fix it fast.

How does Factorem manage quality?

Quality is core to our model. We’re ISO 9001:2015 certified. Every part is inspected before shipping. Critical parts get extra QA or third-party inspection.

Quotes, Pricing & Fees

Can I negotiate if I have a budget?

Yes. Share your target or a competing quote — we’re happy to optimize when possible, especially for repeat runs.

Are there hidden fees?

No. We show material cost, production, shipping, and our 10–15% platform fee clearly — before you confirm.

Can I see a breakdown of what goes into the quote?

We break down manufacturing, shipping, and platform fee. We don’t share internal supplier line items for confidentiality, but we do explain cost logic.

Do I see quotes from multiple suppliers?

Yes. Our platform matches across pre-vetted suppliers and shows you the best option based on value (price, quality, speed).

How accurate are your quotes?

95%+ accurate — thanks to machine learning + engineer review. We also provide DFM feedback as part of the quote.

How are your quotes created?

Our AI quoting engine evaluates 85+ manufacturing parameters including material, finish, tolerances, and complexity — backed by real-time market and historical data.

Sourcing, Tariffs & Logistics

Lead time is critical. How do you manage inspections globally?

We use regionally located, vetted partners and handle inspections locally to meet tight timelines.

What if there are shipping or factory delays?

You’ll be notified immediately. Our team manages backup options and rerouting when needed.

How fast can I get my parts?

Typically 7–14 days depending on process and location. Expedited options available.

Do you reroute if supply chains are disrupted?

Yes. Our system proactively reallocates jobs if issues arise (e.g., natural disasters, capacity constraints) — with your approval.

Can I request where production happens?

Yes. You can choose routing based on speed, tariff, location, or compliance needs.

How do tariffs affect my order?

Singapore-first routing minimizes exposure (~10% vs. 25–145% via China). We also offer U.S. and Mexico routing if required. Tariffs are calculated and shown in your quote.

Support, People & Escalation

What happens after I place an order?

We stay involved through final delivery. You’ll receive proactive updates, milestone tracking, and support at every stage. You’re never handed off to a factory.

Can I talk to someone before quoting?

Of course. You can schedule a call with our U.S. team or use live chat — no bots, no scripts.

Will I have a dedicated point of contact?

Yes. You’ll have a U.S.-based project manager and full support from our engineering team.

Customer Concerns.. (We got you)

We already paid a lot for similar software.

Factorem works alongside existing tools, filling gaps in quoting, sourcing, and production speed—no switch needed.

We’ve had bad experiences with conceptual designs before.

We give early DFM feedback and match you with partners used to iterating on prototypes and design intent.

We’re going through restructuring—no bandwidth for new tools.

Zero onboarding needed. Just send us your file—we’ll quote, source, inspect, and deliver. Getting quotes takes less than 5 mins.

Aren’t you just a middleman?

We’re an AI-powered sourcing partner—matching you with only high quality vetted manufacturers, with quality control and faster lead times.

Why are your part prices different from Singapore’s?

Regional factors like labor and materials affect price. We’re fully transparent and often deliver 50% faster.

Using Factorem may mean downsizing my team.

We don’t replace your team—we help automate low-value tasks such as vendor management, quote comparison and logistic tracking all on one platform, so they can focus on what matters.

Our staff prefers traditional calls—they’re not tech-savvy.

Our platform is super easy: upload, quote, done. We’re always here to guide you like a trusted partner. Support is on-hand via Whasapp and instant chat.

We’re happy with our current suppliers and systems.

That’s great! Factorem complements your setup with our offerings - faster quotes, Southeast Asia based suppliers with tariff smart routing via Singapore, expedited fulfilment, vendor and logistic tracking on one platform, backup options and support during peak loads. US teams get local support. Don't just hear it from us, see what our clients say!

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