Estimating Machining Parts Times and Costs

Feature-Based Machining Cost Estimating Software for Parts

Machine shops need to have fast, accurate and consistent methods to estimate times and costs for parts. Costimator provides quick and consistent quote turnaround to win your machining shop more jobs than ever before with feature-based cost estimation. Manufacturing times and costs are determined by various factors, including part shape, complexity, precision and finish.

Costimator comes with hundreds of feature-based cost models (labor time calculators) that use industry-validated machine shop strategies and formulas (speeds and feeds, machine specific rapid traverse, tool change times, etc.) to generate cycle times. Costimator is not only much faster, more accurate, and consistent than traditional methods of cost estimation without intelligent estimating tools.

Costimator users that have access to 3D models can take advantage of the system's 3Dfx tool, which uses a proprietary feature recognition technology to extract and automatically push the data to the Costimator cost models, dramatically speeding up the estimating process.

Costimator feature based method
Increase Quote Throughput by up to 90%

Costimator 3DFX for Machining Estimating

Estimating a milling job with Costimator 3D, which uses the CAD file to increase speed.

Costimator with 3Dfx utilizes feature recognition technology to automatically identify and group topological entities into machining features, such as pockets, holes and outside diameters. Costimator has a feature tree for the user to view, select and send for estimating machining times to create fast, accurate, and consistent quotes.

Supported 3Dfx Machining Features

3Dfx supports over 30 CAD file formats, including Solidworks, Creo, CATIA, Inventor, NX, Solid Edge, IGES, STEP and Parasolid.

Supported 3Dfx CAD File Formats
Case Studies

Northeast Manufacturing Company

Northeast Manufacturing Company was founded in 1952 and specializes in small to medium sized precision machined parts and mechanical sub-assemblies.

"Contract bidding and the art of fast and accurate cost estimating are more crucial to a company's profitability now than ever before. We rely heavily on our Costimator® to produce accurate bids for competing effectively."

Chris Lobdell, President
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