Qualify
Pulls material, GD&T, surface finish, critical features, quantity, and first-article requirements from the print and model. Frank flags missing information and any routing or fixturing decision that needs estimator review.
Forgepoint for CNC machine shops
Quote machined parts before your buyer moves on.
Frank pulls material, quantity, tolerances, surface finish, and inspection requirements from the RFQ, print, and model. Frank checks those inputs against the machines, estimating rules, and rates your team provides, then prepares a quote for review.
See the machining workflowTF
Talbot Flow Controls
Ready to qualifyRFQ: 5-axis valve body, 40-piece prototype run
Hi, attached are the model and print for a valve body. Material is 17-4 PH stainless. The four mounting bores have a 0.005 in. position tolerance. We need 40 prototype pieces with a first-article inspection; production volume follows approval. Please send pricing this week.
✓ valve-body.step✓ valve-body-print-RevD.pdf✓ fai-requirements.pdf
How Frank handles the RFQ
From RFQ to quote in four steps.
Quote
Checks the part against your machine envelope, axis and process rules, material cost, setup assumptions, and cycle-time model. Frank then sends the draft quote to your team for human approval.
Close
Builds a quote with separate prototype and production pricing, tracks whether the buyer opens it, and schedules follow-up.
Track
Logs the RFQ, prints, models, and inspection reports in the systems your team already uses.
Machining context
Frank knows what to look for in a machining RFQ.
Frank checks each RFQ against the machine, tolerance, inspection, and pricing rules you provide. If the routing or process fit is not clear, Frank flags the part for estimator review.
Process and machine fit
- Milling, turning, and grinding routing
- 3-, 4-, and 5-axis routing rules
- Fixture and setup assumptions
- Cycle-time assumptions from your estimating model
Tolerance and specification
- GD&T and position-tolerance callouts
- Print revision and STEP model used for review
- Material stock, grade, and certification
- Surface-finish and critical-feature tolerances
Quality and inspection
- First-article inspection (FAI) requirements
- CMM and dimensional-inspection requirements
- Prototype vs production routing
- Material certs and lot traceability
Commercial and delivery
- Machine rate and setup-time assumptions
- Prototype and production piece-price tiers
- Freight terms and quoted lead time
- Volume pricing and repeat-order terms
- 01Mills, lathes, and grinders on the floor
- 02Axis count and envelope by machine
- 03Material grades and stock forms
- 04Standard tolerances and GD&T review rules
- 05Fixturing and setup-time assumptions
- 06First-article and inspection capability
- 07Prototype and production price breaks
- 08Lead times by process and volume
- 09Geographic footprint and freight lanes
Frank quotes based on your shop's machining capabilities.
Frank turns each RFQ into a reviewable draft quote by checking your machine list, work envelopes, tolerance rules, estimating inputs, inspection capabilities, and approved lead times.
FAQ
Questions from the quoting desk.
Does Frank replace our estimator?+
No. Frank assembles the RFQ, model context, and draft pricing so your estimator focuses on judgment calls and the customer relationship.
Can Frank read GD&T and 3D models?+
Frank pulls GD&T callouts and model data, then checks them against the machine and tolerance rules you provide. Your estimator approves the routing.
Can it work with our machine rates and cycle-time model?+
Frank uses the machine rates, setup assumptions, cycle-time model, and approval limits your team sets.
What if the RFQ is missing critical requirements?+
Frank flags missing tolerances, surface finish, inspection requirements, quantities, and material information, then drafts a customer question for review.
Does Frank replace our engineer?+
No. Frank assembles the print, model, inspection, and costing information. Engineers, machinists, and estimators still make the routing and approval decisions.
Can it handle prototype and production quotes separately?+
Yes. Frank keeps prototype and production quantities as separate price breaks and flags tolerance or geometry that needs senior machinist or estimator review.
Can we control what gets sent to a customer?+
Yes. Human approval rules control which quotes and messages are released.
