Inspiration
Manufacturing companies still spend hours manually estimating sheet metal parts. Our goal was to automate this process using AI and CAD analysis so that quotations can be generated within seconds instead of hours. This project focuses on helping small and medium-sized manufacturers improve productivity while reducing human error.
What it does
The application automatically analyzes STEP 3D models and extracts manufacturing information such as Material dimensions Hole detection Slot detection Tapping candidates Countersink detection Laser cutting length Bending estimation Material cost calculation The system then generates an estimated manufacturing cost automatically.
How I built it
We combined several technologies: C# WinForms for the desktop application Python for geometry analysis Free CAD/Open Cascade for STEP processing SQLite for manufacturing databases Excel export for quotations AI-assisted feature recognition
Challenges I ran into
Manufacturing parts contain many complex geometries. Detecting true holes, slots, chamfers, and countersinks while avoiding false positives required significant geometry analysis. We also optimized processing speed so multiple STEP files can be analyzed efficiently.
Accomplishments that I'm proud of
The system can automatically inspect a STEP model and calculate manufacturing information that normally requires experienced engineers. This reduces quotation time from hours to just a few seconds.
What I learned
Building AI-assisted CAD analysis requires balancing geometric accuracy with real-world manufacturing knowledge. We also learned how AI can significantly improve engineering workflows rather than replacing engineers.
What's next for Auto Quote Analyzer
Future versions will include AI-based manufacturing process recommendations Automatic PDF quotation generation Cloud collaboration ERP integration CNC nesting optimization Deep learning for feature recognition
Log in or sign up for Devpost to join the conversation.