Invention Grant
- Patent Title: Automated quoting of CNC machined custom parts
- Patent Title (中): 自动引用CNC加工定制零件
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Application No.: US12902955Application Date: 2010-10-12
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Publication No.: US08239284B2Publication Date: 2012-08-07
- Inventor: Lawrence J. Lukis , Christopher Walls-Manning , Mark R. Kubicek
- Applicant: Lawrence J. Lukis , Christopher Walls-Manning , Mark R. Kubicek
- Applicant Address: US MN Maple Plain
- Assignee: Proto Labs, Inc.
- Current Assignee: Proto Labs, Inc.
- Current Assignee Address: US MN Maple Plain
- Agency: Shewchuk IP Services, LLC
- Agent Jeffrey D. Shewchuk
- Main IPC: G06Q30/00
- IPC: G06Q30/00

Abstract:
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.
Public/Granted literature
- US20110060439A1 Automated Quoting Of CNC Machined Custom Molds And/Or Custom Parts Public/Granted day:2011-03-10
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