Indian brass suppliers quote both ways. Simple, heavy parts such as plain fittings and nuts are often quoted per kilogram of finished parts. Complex, light or precise parts are usually quoted per piece.
Either way, the supplier builds the price from the same parts: metal, machining, finishing, packing and margin. Once you understand that build-up, you can compare quotes fairly and see where a low price comes from.
What goes into the price
- Metal: the gross weight of bar or forging used per part, at the current brass rate, less a credit for the chips and scrap returned.
- Machining: the cycle time per part multiplied by the hourly rate of the machine that runs it.
- Set-up: the time to set the machine for each batch, spread across the batch quantity.
- Secondary operations: cross-drilling, knurling, threading, tumbling or heat treatment.
- Finishing: plating or other surface treatment, usually charged by weight or by piece by the plating unit.
- Inspection and packing: measuring, bagging, cartons, labels and pallets.
- Overheads and margin, including any tooling or gauges spread over the order.
Per kg or per piece
Per-kilogram pricing suits parts where metal is most of the cost and machining is simple. It is easy to adjust when brass rates move, which is why it is common in Jamnagar.
Per-kilogram pricing can hide problems on light or complex parts. A small part with a long cycle time costs much more to make than its weight suggests. If a supplier quotes such a part per kilogram, ask how it reached the figure.
Per-piece pricing suits precise parts, parts with long cycle times and parts with expensive finishes. It is clearer for your own costing, but you need a rule for how it changes when metal prices move.
How to compare quotes
Ask each supplier to break the quote into metal and conversion. Metal is the weight times the rate. Conversion is everything else. Then check these points:
- Every quote uses the same alloy, standard and finish.
- The gross weight per part is realistic for the bar size or forging used.
- The metal rate refers to a stated reference and date.
- The quantity, batch size and packing are the same in each quote.
- Tooling, gauges and samples are listed separately.
Watch the metal clause
Most brass quotes are valid only for a short period because the metal price moves daily. Agree in writing which reference the metal price follows and how often it is reset. This is covered in how copper prices affect brass component costs.
A quote that looks cheap often uses a lower-grade alloy, thinner plating or a looser inspection plan. Read how to compare engineering quotes before you choose.
Next step
A real price for your part comes from a drawing, a volume and a written specification. We find and audit manufacturers, check quotes line by line and agree one written fee with you in advance. To get comparable quotes, book a free sourcing review.