Quick Answer
How do you get a custom part made at MAR? Start with a drawing or digital file in DXF, DWG, or PDF format. Submit it to Mid-Atlantic Rubber with your material spec and quantity, and the team will determine the right manufacturing process, quote the job, and produce your parts to spec. Water jet orders carry no die charge, no design fee, and no setup charge.
Getting a custom part made should not feel like a complicated process. At Mid-Atlantic Rubber, it really is not. Whether you need a rubber gasket, a foam insert, a plastic component, or a fabricated metal part, the path from drawing to finished product follows a clear, consistent process. You send us what you have, we figure out the best way to make it, and we get it done.
This post walks through exactly how that works, so you know what to expect before you ever pick up the phone or send a file our way.
What Do You Need Before You Reach Out?
The good news is that you do not need a complete engineering package to get started. A lot of our customers come to us at various stages of their design process, and we are comfortable working with whatever they have. That said, a few things help us move faster on your end.
The most useful thing you can bring is a drawing. A DXF or DWG file is ideal since those formats load directly into our cutting systems. A dimensioned PDF works well too. If the part is simple and you have clear dimensions, even a well-annotated sketch can get us to a quote. What we are looking for is the part profile, the dimensions, and any tolerances that matter for your application.
Beyond the drawing, it helps to know the material you need, your target quantity, and any deadline you are working toward. If you do not know the material yet, tell us what the part needs to do and we can help you pick the right compound or substrate.
Step 1: Submit Your Drawing and Request a Quote
The first step is simply getting in touch. You can reach us through the contact form at marmfg.com or give us a call directly. Attach your drawing file and include whatever details you have on material, quantity, and any specific requirements.
We do not make you fill out a formal RFQ template or navigate a vendor portal. Send us the file, tell us what you need, and we will take it from there. Our team reviews incoming requests and gets back to you with questions or a quote in a reasonable timeframe, not weeks.
Step 2: MAR Reviews Your Drawing and Selects the Right Process
Once we have your drawing, our team reviews the geometry, material, and quantity to determine the best manufacturing process for your part. This is one of the places where working with MAR is genuinely different from working with a single-process shop.
We run water jets, abrasive jets, injection molding equipment, CNC machines, and laser and tube cutting machines all under one roof. That means we are not going to push every job through the same process because it is the only one we have. We look at your part and pick the method that produces the best result at the right cost for your volume.
For flat gaskets and foam parts, water jet cutting is usually the right answer, especially since there is no die required and no setup charge. For parts that need a three-dimensional molded shape, injection molding is likely a better fit. For metal components with tight tolerances, CNC machining may be the path. We will tell you which process we are recommending and why.
Step 3: You Receive a Clear Quote
The quote you receive from MAR is straightforward. It covers the part cost based on your material and quantity, the process being used, and the expected lead time. There are no hidden charges tucked in after the fact.
For water jet orders specifically, there is no die charge and no setup fee. We are not recovering tooling costs because water jet cutting does not require any. What you see in the quote is what you pay.
If the design is still evolving when you come to us, that is fine too. One of the advantages of water jet cutting in particular is that design changes cost nothing on our end. Update the file, send us the new version, and the next run reflects it. No rework fee, no new die, no delay waiting on tooling.
Step 4: Parts Are Manufactured to Your Drawing
Once the quote is approved, we get to work. Your part is manufactured to the dimensions and tolerances specified in your drawing. We do not round to a standard size or substitute a close-enough material without telling you. The whole point of custom manufacturing is that you get the part you actually spec’d.
- Water jet and abrasive jet cutting for rubber, foam, sponge, composites, plastics, and metals up to 8 inches thick
- Injection molding for rubber parts, plastic components, and Liquid Silicone Rubber (LSR) parts requiring a molded three-dimensional shape
- CNC machining for metal parts requiring precise tolerances, complex geometries, or machined features
- Laser and tube cutting for metal profiles, structural shapes, and tube components
- Overmolded cable assemblies for connectors and cables requiring a molded housing or strain relief
Step 5: Parts Are Inspected and Delivered
Before parts leave our facility, they go through inspection to confirm they meet the requirements of your drawing. Once parts pass inspection, they are packaged and shipped to you. If you have specific packaging or labeling requirements, let us know when you submit your order and we will accommodate them.
What If Your Design Is Not Final Yet?
For water jet orders, revisions are especially low-friction. Since there is no die involved, changing the cut profile is as simple as updating the drawing file. You are not losing tooling investment when the design evolves.
For injection-molded parts, the tooling investment is real and worth planning around. If you are early in the design process, we will often recommend starting with water jet cut parts to validate the design before committing to a mold. That approach saves time and money when changes are still likely.
Who Does MAR Manufacture Parts For?
Our customer base spans defense, aerospace, medical device manufacturing, industrial equipment, and commercial applications. Some customers come to us for a single prototype. Others have been ordering repeat production runs from us for years. What most of our customers have in common is that they need a part made to a specific drawing and they need a manufacturer who will actually hold that spec.
Ready to Send Us Your Drawing?
Send us your drawing, tell us what you need, and we will get back to you with a clear quote and a realistic lead time. No die required, no setup fee on water jet orders, and no runaround on what to expect.
Frequently Asked Questions About Ordering Custom Parts from MAR
What file format does MAR accept for custom part orders?
Mid-Atlantic Rubber accepts DXF and DWG CAD files as well as dimensioned PDF drawings. If you only have a sketch or rough dimensions, contact MAR directly and they can help develop a workable drawing from there.
Does MAR charge a setup fee for custom parts?
There is no design fee or setup fee on water jet cut orders. There is also no die purchase required for water jet work. For injection-molded parts, tooling costs apply and will be itemized in the quote.
What types of custom parts can MAR manufacture?
Mid-Atlantic Rubber manufactures custom parts in rubber, foam, sponge, plastic, and metal. Processes include water jet cutting, abrasive jet cutting, injection molding including LSR, CNC machining, laser and tube cutting, and overmolded cable assembly production.
Can I order a prototype before committing to a full production run?
Yes. MAR works with customers at all stages of development. Water jet cut prototype parts are especially practical since there is no die investment and design changes cost nothing between iterations.