Product Introduction
- Definition: QuotedPart is an AI-powered quoting software and cost-estimation platform specifically engineered for CNC machining, sheet metal fabrication, and custom job shops. Classified under manufacturing execution and quoting automation technology, it integrates artificial intelligence to read technical drawings, code to analyze 3D models, and custom user-defined machine rates to generate precise estimates.
- Core Value Proposition: QuotedPart exists to drastically reduce the time and administrative burden required to generate accurate manufacturing quotes. By leveraging AI to read STEP files, IGES models, and 2D PDF drawings, the platform prices every production quantity at the user's specific machine rates and markups in under a minute. It aims to provide an accessible, contract-free, and cost-effective alternative to legacy enterprise quoting solutions like Paperless Parts.
Main Features
- Automated Drawing & Model Reading: QuotedPart utilizes advanced AI (powered by Anthropic's Claude) to parse PDF technical drawings, extracting critical metadata such as material types, tightest tolerances, surface finishes, notes, and part numbers. Simultaneously, geometric analysis code evaluates 3D CAD files (STEP/IGES) to calculate features like setups, pockets, depths, and hole counts without exposing proprietary designs to public model training data.
- Custom Work Center Pricing Engine: The software calculates operational costs using formulas driven by the shop's individual hourly rates, work center capabilities (e.g., 3-axis and 5-axis VMCs, turning centers, laser cutting), run times, setup minutes, and desired profit markups. Users can open, audit, and adjust every single formula, operation, and calculated minute to match their shop's exact floor realities.
- ERP Integration & Multi-Format Output: QuotedPart streamlines administrative workflows by connecting directly with job shop management systems like JobBOSS², allowing users to generate complete estimates with routing and quoting data instantly. Additionally, it supports flexible export options including CSV, Excel templates, and professional PDF quotes featuring custom company logos, or a dedicated buyer-facing quote page with PO acceptance capabilities.
- ITAR Vault & Security Architecture: Designed with stringent security standards for defense contractors, the platform features an ITAR vault that encrypts sensitive files directly within the browser using user-held keys before upload. This ensures that data remains strictly confidential, US-hosted on AWS, and entirely inaccessible to unauthorized parties or AI training pipelines.
Problems Solved
- Pain Point: Manual quoting bottlenecks that consume hours of engineering and shop owner time per RFQ, leading to delayed response times, missed bids, and inconsistent pricing due to human estimation errors.
- Target Audience: CNC machine shop owners, sheet metal fabricators, precision manufacturing estimators, and shop managers who need to rapidly scale their quoting throughput without hiring dedicated estimation staff.
- Use Cases: Rapidly responding to high-volume incoming Request for Quotes (RFQs) from Gmail or Outlook; evaluating complex multi-operation milled and turned parts with tight GD&T tolerances; generating tiered volume pricing (e.g., 1, 10, and 50 pieces) instantly; and securely processing export-controlled defense drawings using client-side encryption.
Unique Advantages
- Strengths & Limitations (Pros & Cons):
- Strengths: Incredibly fast sub-minute turnaround times; transparent, formula-based pricing that reflects real shop rates rather than black-box AI estimates; zero mandatory contracts, setup fees, or demo call walls; highly cost-effective founding pricing ($199/month); robust security including an end-to-end encrypted ITAR vault.
- Limitations: Relies on clear 2D drawings and valid 3D CAD models for optimal feature extraction; highly unusual or complex assemblies may still require manual estimator review; initial machine rates and formulas must be manually calibrated by the user to match accurate floor times.
- Key Alternatives & Differentiation:
- Paperless Parts: While Paperless Parts is a dominant enterprise competitor in manufacturing quoting, it often involves prohibitive annual contracts costing tens of thousands of dollars ($30,000+), mandatory demo calls, and steep setup fees. QuotedPart differentiates itself through a self-serve, transparent, month-to-month SaaS model priced at a fraction of the cost ($199–$399/month) with unlimited users.
- Manual Spreadsheets & CAD/CAM Estimating: Traditional methods require manually measuring features in CAD and cross-referencing rates in Excel, which is exceptionally slow. QuotedPart automates the measuring and parsing process while preserving the flexibility of custom spreadsheet-like formulas and rates.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
- Question? Is AI setting the final prices on my quotes? Direct, keyword-rich answer: No. AI only assists by reading text and notes off the technical drawing, while code measures the 3D model. Your shop's specific machine rates, hourly labor costs, and profit markups dictate the final price, and nothing is ever sent to a customer until you manually review and approve it.
- Question? How does QuotedPart handle ITAR and defense-controlled parts? Direct, keyword-rich answer: ITAR and EAR-controlled parts are secured using QuotedPart's built-in ITAR vault. Files are encrypted client-side inside your browser using a key that only your shop controls, meaning data stored on US AWS servers is unreadable ciphertext that the AI never processes.
- Question? Does QuotedPart integrate with existing shop management ERP systems? Direct, keyword-rich answer: Yes. QuotedPart integrates directly with JobBOSS² to create estimates complete with routing data. For other ERP systems, quotes and orders can be easily exported as CSV or Excel spreadsheets, and job actuals can be imported back into the system.
- Question? What is the pricing structure for QuotedPart? Direct, keyword-rich answer: QuotedPart operates on a flat, transparent subscription model with unlimited users and quotes. The early-bird founding price is $199 per month per shop (standardizing to $399/month after the first 20 shops), with no long-term contracts, setup fees, or mandatory onboarding calls, and a 14-day free trial requiring no credit card.
