Bridge the Gap Between Historical CAD Files and Plate Estimations.
We build focused software to search, match, and cost 2D profiles directly from a local desktop environment. Designed for workshop estimators and CNC programmers, this utility is developed to help streamline raw-material quoting and reduce redundant drafting efforts by identifying reusable designs from historical libraries.
The High Cost of Redundant Drafting and Quoting Guesswork
Estimators and cutting shops face a recurring dual bottleneck on the production floor. When a new profile is requested, operators often struggle to identify if a similar design already exists in historical libraries—such as the 4,500+ files managed in our initial reference customer's database—leading to redundant CAD drafting and software overhead. At the same time, calculating plate economics is slow and manual. Estimators frequently work with complex variables to determine plate weight, scrap recovery, and material utilization, highlighting the need for clearer visibility into plate economics during the estimation process.
Shape Retrieval and Plate Costing on a Single Screen
The software is designed to combine visual retrieval and costing on a single interface. By linking historical profile retrieval directly with plate economics, the utility allows teams to transition from drawing ingestion to material cost estimations in a continuous workflow.
The Geometry to Cost Estimation Pathway
The utility organizes job-shop estimation into a transparent, step-by-step local workflow. Raw 2D drawings are ingested, validated, and matched against local indexes to feed direct plate costing equations.
Focused Software for Plate Processing Estimators
Design Ingestion & Contour Detection
Ingests drawing photos, scans, or PDFs, helps detect part contours, calibrating scale, and generating a unique local design code.
Design Validation Check
Analyzes geometries before cataloging to detect potential processing anomalies, such as multi-part nesting, embedded text, logos, or skewed perspectives.
Two-Stage Heuristic Matching
Shortlists candidate profiles using Hu Moments before executing pixel-alignment matching with rotation, mirror, and flip comparisons to display visual shape-similarity matches.
Proportional Resize Validation
Supports proportional scaling validation for custom scaling requests by requiring both length and width dimensions to protect geometric consistency.
Scrap & Cost Calculator
Translates contour data directly into job cost estimations, providing calculations for plate weights, net job costs, net scrap recovery, and break-even pricing across Mild Steel, Iron, Stainless Steel, and Aluminium.
Local Design Library
Indexes local directory folders to enable local visual search by design name, local code, or custom metadata with visual zoom and side-by-side comparison overlays.
Built on Math, Guided by Operators
Our visual similarity engine is built on transparent, deterministic OpenCV algorithms. The software emphasizes transparent processing and operator oversight: validation checks (such as perspective tilt or multi-part detections) do not make automatic corrections. Instead, overridden checks flag the drawing as "Needs Review," keeping the operator informed of potential anomalies. Similarly, the resize validation system does not automatically assume missing measurements, requiring explicit input to support geometric consistency.
Active Validation
The CNC Design Intelligence utility is currently in its Active Validation phase. The software is undergoing technical testing, focusing on bulk-import schema health analyses and speed benchmarks. Our technical testing is evaluating matching behavior and indexing performance against the initial reference customer's library of 4,500+ designs.
Streamline Your Estimation Workflow
We partner with CNC job shops and estimating teams seeking to support efficient quotation workflows and provide costing visibility. Contact us to discuss your current workflows and explore how our visual search utility can fit into your operations.