Automated quoting of CNC machined custom molds and/or custom parts
A customer sends a CAD file for the part to be manufactured to the system. The system assesses the CAD file to determine various pieces of manufacturing information. One or more acceptability criteria are applied to the part, such as whether the part can be machined in two opposing orientations in a 3 axis CNC machine. If not, the system sends a file to the customer graphically indicating which portions of the part need modification to be manufacturable. The system provides the customer with a quotation form, that allows the customer to select several parameters, such as number of cavities or parts per workpiece block, surface finish and material, which are independent of the shape of the part. The quotation module then provides the customer with the cost to manufacture the mold or a number of parts, which may include both molded parts and total profiled machined parts. Budget-driven quotation is possible, wherein proposed modifications in the molding process are controlled by the budget of the customer. Interactivity is also achieved, with the customer being able to modify the quotation interactively by modifying one or more of the initially selected parameters, including selecting a different budgeted amount.
1. A method of automated, custom quotation for manufacture of a part, the method comprising:
receiving a CAD file for the part to be manufactured, the CAD file defining a part surface profile;
assessing cost-affecting parameters of CNC machining the part surface profile;
providing the customer with at least one menu of customer-selectable values for a cost-affecting parameter of manufacture unassociated with part surface profile;
allowing the customer to select one of the provided customer-selectable values;
computer generating a quotation for part manufacture based in part upon the cost-affecting parameters of CNC machining the part surface profile and based in part upon the customer-selected value; and
transmitting the computer generated quotation to the customer.
2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the menu is provided over the internet and the computer generated quotation is transmitted over the internet.
3. The method of claim 1 , wherein the assessing of cost-affecting parameters for machining the part surface profile is for machining of a mold having a cavity corresponding to a shape of the part surface profile.
4. The method of claim 1 , wherein the assessing of cost-affecting parameters for machining the part surface profile is for direct total profile machining of the part from a workpiece material block.
5. The method of claim 1 , wherein the quotation comprises both direct total profile machining of one or more parts from workpiece material in low volume, and machining of a mold having a cavity corresponding to a shape of the part surface profile for higher volume.
6. The method of claim 1 , wherein the at least one menu of customer-selectable values for a cost-affecting parameter of manufacture unassociated with part surface profile comprises a menu of available materials from which the part can be made, such that the automatically generated quotation varies based upon which material the customer selects for the part.
7. The method of claim 6 , wherein the menu of available materials comprises at least one material from which the part can be total profiled machined but which is not offered for molding of the part.
8. The method of claim 1 , wherein at least one menu of customer-selectable values for a cost-affecting parameter of manufacture unassociated with part surface profile comprises a menu of possible surface finishes, such that the automatically generated quotation varies based upon which surface finish the customer selects for the part.
9. The method of claim 1 , wherein at least one menu of customer-selectable values for a cost-affecting parameter of manufacture unassociated with part surface profile comprises a menu of number of parts in a production run, such that an average piece price varies based upon how many parts the customer selects to be run.
10. The method of claim 1 , wherein the automatically generated quotation comprises a series of piece price quotations covering different lot sizes, the an average piece price varying based upon how many parts the customer selects to be run.
11. The method of claim 1 , wherein at least one menu of customer-selectable values for a cost-affecting parameter of manufacture unassociated with part surface profile comprises a menu of potential delivery times, such that the computer generated quotation varies based upon lead time required by the customer.
12. The method of claim 1 , wherein the act of assessing cost-affecting parameters of CNC machining the part surface profile comprises: computer generating a series of CNC machining instructions corresponding to machining the part surface profile, wherein the automatically generated quotation is based upon the computed CNC machining instructions.
13. The method of claim 1 , wherein the act of assessing cost-affecting parameters of CNC machining the part surface profile comprises: automatically identifying an estimated duration of material removal required for each discrete portion of the part surface profile, and wherein the computer generated quotation varies based upon a total of estimated durations of material removal.
14. The method of claim 1 , wherein the act of assessing cost-affecting parameters of CNC machining the part surface profile comprises: computer identification of the number and type of tools to be used in selected material removal steps for the part surface profile, and wherein the automatically generated quotation varies based upon the number and type of tools to be used in selected material removal step.
15. The method of claim 1 , wherein the act of assessing cost-affecting parameters of CNC machining the part surface profile comprises computer assessment of amount, depth and steepness of ribbing required for the part, and wherein the automatically generated quotation varies based upon the required amount, depth and steepness of ribbing.