Pre-shaped stock
Some part shapes are more efficiently made from pre-shaped stock. For example, a shape that can be made by drilling holes in a hollow tube requires less machining time than starting with a block of material or rod. Similarly, if a part has a one inch square cross section it is more efficient to start with one inch square bar stock.
The eMachineShop CAD software is smart enough to consider rod material over block automatically (internally) but does not yet optimize for stock tubes, beams, bars, etc. To work around this use Comments To Machinist that include the words "stock" and "shape":
For round tube/pipe - instead of modeling the hole, draw the hole using Comments To Machinist with text like "ID per tube stock shape (#223344 mcmaster)" if you can find a supplier for the needed shape; or if you can't find a supplier use text like "ID 1.00 +/- 0.02, OD 1.10 +/- 0.02 tube stock shape".
For square or rectangular tube draw the inside using Comments To Machinist with text like "Inside per tube stock
(#223344 mcmaster)" if you can find a supplier for the needed shape; or
if you can't find a supplier use text like "Use tube stock shape - inside 1.00 +/- 0.02 x 2.00 +/- 0.02, Outside 1.10
+/- 0.02 x 2.10 +/- 0.02".
For beams (I, T, L, etc.) - model the bounding rectangle of the beam using the Auto line type and draw the shape of the beam using Comments To Machinist with text like "Shape per beam stock (#334455 mcmaster)"
For square or rectangular bars - model the shape using the Auto line type and add Comments To Machinist like "Use bar stock shape similar to #445566 mcmaster."
To see a 3D view you can temporarily change the Comment To Machinist line to Auto.
Due to the large variety of shaped stocks, material is normally purchased specifically for each order. The term "stock" means eMachineShop has suppliers that stock the shape - not that eMachineShop stocks the shape directly.
Pricing / Ordering
You can simply place your order as usual and you will be credited per the actual machining cost savings. However, if you want to approve the savings before your job is processed, add Comments To Machinist "Get my approval of final price before proceeding." and then place your order. See menu Line | Machine | Comments to Machinist about how manual pricing is done.
