Custom Magnet Price Factors: What Changes a Quotation

Why custom magnet prices cannot be universal

Two parts with the same mass can have different prices because one needs a simple pressed geometry and the other needs thin sections, grinding, coating, tight datums, multipole magnetization, individual inspection or special packaging. Two visually similar parts can use different grades, coercivity families, process routes or acceptance evidence.

The goal of a price-factor guide is therefore not to publish a generic price. It is to make quotations comparable and show which requirement changes create cost, tooling, schedule or risk.

Quotation variable worksheet

Quote variable	Why it changes cost or lead time	Input required for a comparable quote	Common hidden mismatch
Material and grade	Raw material, coercivity family, process route, availability and yield differ.	Approved grade/compound or functional target with temperature and circuit context.	Comparing different grades, routes or unapproved equivalents.
Finished geometry and volume	Material use, pressing/molding route, grinding, machining and handling change.	Controlled drawing/model, dimensions, sections, holes, edges and final state.	Quoting nominal mass while excluding material or processing loss.
Tolerances and datums	Tighter controls can add grinding, fixtures, slower processing, inspection and scrap risk.	Functional tolerances, datum scheme and agreed measurement method.	Applying tight default tolerances to every feature.
Coating and environment	Surface preparation, masking, film build, edges, adhesion and validation differ.	Coating system, critical coated dimensions, exposure and test requirements.	Same coating name with different stack, thickness or evidence.
Magnetization	Direction, pole pattern, fixture, handling, delivery state and inspection change.	Direction/poles, reference, viewing direction, delivery state and magnetic test.	“Magnetized” without pole definition or acceptance method.
Tooling and secondary operations	Pressing, molding, fixtures, grinding, assembly and design changes create non-recurring cost.	Tool scope, ownership, life, design freeze, samples and change rules.	Low unit price with excluded tooling or incomplete production route.
Inspection and documentation	Sampling, capability studies, full inspection, traceability and reports add work.	Characteristic list, method, sample size, records and approval stage.	Certificate included but part-specific evidence excluded.
Quantity and schedule	Batch size, setup allocation, capacity, material purchase, ramp and stock change.	Prototype quantity, annual demand, releases, forecast and delivery schedule.	Comparing prototype, pilot and series prices as if they share the same basis.
Packaging and logistics	Magnetic shielding, orientation, separators, corrosion protection, export and freight differ.	Pack quantity, labeling, transport route, Incoterm and destination.	Unit price compared without freight, duty, packaging or handling.
Commercial terms	Currency, payment, quote validity, liability, inventory and change commitments affect risk.	Same payment, currency, validity, forecast and change assumptions.	Lowest visible price based on different exclusions or risk allocation.

Material and grade

NdFeB, SmCo, ferrite, Alnico and bonded compounds have different raw-material, process and supply structures. Within NdFeB, the N-number and coercivity family can change material cost and availability. A higher grade is not automatically the lowest system cost if another grade already meets the function.

Quote the same approved material route or give each supplier the same functional target and permission to propose an alternative. Alternatives must remain clearly separated until engineering approval.

Geometry, size and manufacturing route

Finished volume affects material use, but shape determines how that volume is produced. Thin walls, small holes, large faces, arcs, tight corners, undercuts and unusual aspect ratios can change pressing, molding, grinding, machining, ejection, yield and handling.

A redesign that removes a nonfunctional tight feature can reduce recurring cost and risk more effectively than negotiating the same drawing. Ask for DFM options while preserving the protected product function.

Tolerances and inspection

Every tolerance should have a functional reason and a measurement method. Tight control can require secondary grinding, dedicated fixtures, slower inspection, additional sampling or full inspection. The effect depends on the material, shape, coating state, datum scheme and production volume.

Use the dimensional tolerance guide and inspection-method guide to align the drawing and quotation.

Coating and environmental validation

Coating price depends on the selected system, surface preparation, thickness, masking, edge coverage, appearance, adhesion, critical dimensions and validation. The same generic coating name can represent a different process or evidence package.

Describe the real environment rather than requesting the most expensive finish by default. Humidity, condensation, salt, chemicals, cleaning, temperature cycling, bonding and handling determine what should be quoted.

Magnetization and magnetic inspection

Axial or simple through-thickness magnetization may use a different fixture and inspection route from diametrical, radial, skewed or multipole patterns. Pole count, pitch, angular reference, delivery state and assembly sequence can create tooling and handling cost.

Define the useful characteristic and test position. A surface-field spot check, integrated flux, pole scan, waveform, force or assembly-level result are not interchangeable. See how to specify magnetization on a drawing.

Tooling, samples and design change

Tooling can include forming tools, molds, grinding fixtures, magnetization fixtures, inspection fixtures and assembly aids. Clarify which are included, who owns them, expected life, maintenance responsibility, sample stages and the cost of a design change after release.

Prototype pricing may use a temporary route that does not represent series cost. Production pricing may assume a design freeze, annual volume or batch size that has not yet been reached. Keep the stages distinct.

Quantity, MOQ and lead time

Small batches carry setup, material-purchase, tooling and inspection costs across fewer parts. Larger quantities can support dedicated tooling or automation, but only when the design and forecast are stable. MOQ can reflect an economic batch, raw-material lot, coating batch, packaging unit or commercial policy.

Lead time should state the starting event and include drawing approval, material, tooling, samples, validation, production, coating, magnetization, inspection and transport. A quoted lead time without those stages is difficult to compare.

Packaging, shipping and magnetic handling

Strong magnets may require separators, controlled orientation, shielding, reinforced cartons, corrosion protection, labeling or special handling. Fragile parts may need individual cavities or trays. The correct package protects dimensions, coating, polarity and people while fitting the agreed transport route.

Compare ex-works, FOB, delivered or other commercial bases consistently. Include freight, duty, insurance, packaging, banking, currency and inventory assumptions where they apply.

How to reduce cost without weakening the requirement

• Protect functional dimensions and relax nonfunctional defaults.
• Compare material grades through the actual magnetic circuit rather than selecting the highest grade.
• Standardize coating and validation only where the real environment allows it.
• Define magnetization and inspection before fixture design.
• Stabilize the drawing before committing to production tooling.
• Separate prototype, pilot and series requirements.
• Provide realistic annual demand and release quantities.
• Compare quotations against the same revision, scope and commercial basis.

Sources and evidence boundary

• Elite Magnets Custom Magnet Drawing Checklist supports the controlled geometry, material, magnetization, inspection and quantity inputs.
• ASME Y14.5 scope supports controlled dimensioning, tolerancing and datum communication. It does not define magnet pricing.
• The dated SERP sample identified repeated market coverage of material, grade, geometry, coatings, quantity and raw-material price. Supplier numerical price claims were excluded because they did not share one controlled specification, date, currency, quantity and commercial basis.

Minimum package for a useful quotation

• Drawing and model with revision and controlled finished state.
• Material/grade or functional target with temperature and magnetic-circuit context.
• Coating, magnetization, assembly and environment.
• Critical dimensions, datums, magnetic characteristics and inspection method.
• Prototype quantity, annual demand, release pattern and required date.
• Tooling, sample, documentation, packaging, freight and commercial assumptions.

Review Custom Capabilities, product routes, Quality and the RFQ form. If your drawing is not complete, send the functional target and open questions rather than guessing at a universal price.

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Commercial note: EM-RFQ-02 explains quotation variables. It is not a price list, offer, MOQ, lead-time commitment or validity statement.