What the AI assistant does
The Uretyco AI assistant helps translate manufacturing uncertainty into practical choices. It can ask clarifying questions, explain process tradeoffs, flag missing file details, compare material options, and describe how design choices affect price, lead time, and quality risk.
- Explains whether CNC, 3D printing, sheet metal, molding, casting, or finishing may fit the part.
- Identifies geometry features that may drive cost or manufacturability risk.
- Suggests questions to answer before production, such as load, environment, quantity, and cosmetic expectations.
- Helps non-technical users understand file formats, tolerances, materials, finishes, and order scope.
Quote engine inputs
| Input | Examples | Pricing effect |
|---|---|---|
| Geometry | Size, volume, pockets, holes, bends, overhangs, wall thickness | Changes machine time, setup, support, tooling, and inspection effort |
| Material | Aluminum, steel, stainless, ABS, nylon, resin, silicone | Changes raw material cost, availability, machining behavior, and finish compatibility |
| Quantity | Single prototype, small batch, repeat order, serial production | Changes setup amortization, tooling economics, and supplier routing |
| Tolerance and drawing | Critical dimensions, threads, flatness, GD&T, surface roughness | Adds production control and inspection effort |
| Finish and delivery | Anodizing, powder coat, polishing, urgent shipment, custom packaging | Adds post-processing, handling, scheduling, and logistics cost |
How recommendations should be used
AI recommendations are useful for narrowing choices, but they are not a guarantee that a design is suitable for every application. Safety-critical, regulated, medical, aerospace, load-bearing, pressure, electrical, food-contact, or child-use applications may require additional engineering review, standards review, material certificates, testing, or approved supplier documentation.
The AI assistant should explain why a process or material is suggested. If the reason is not clear, ask for the tradeoff: strength, tolerance, cosmetics, cost, speed, or manufacturability.
Quote confidence
A quote is more reliable when the file is complete, the material is available, the process is well matched, and critical requirements are clearly documented. Missing drawings, unclear units, unusual materials, tight tolerances, cosmetic requirements, or complex assemblies may require manual review before production.
When human review is needed
- The part has very tight tolerances, sealing surfaces, safety implications, or regulated-use requirements.
- The CAD model and drawing disagree or units are unclear.
- The design requires special certificates, traceability, inspection reports, or customer-approved supplier controls.
- The part needs secondary operations such as heat treatment, welding, plating, masking, inserts, or assembly.
- The requested lead time is aggressive for the chosen material, finish, or inspection scope.
Good questions to ask the assistant
- Which process is best for this part if I need 20 pieces in aluminum and moderate precision?
- What information is missing before I can get a reliable laser-cut quote from a DXF?
- What material would be suitable for an outdoor bracket exposed to rain and sunlight?
- Which tolerances are likely to increase cost on this drawing?
- How can I redesign this part to reduce machining time without losing function?
Can't find what you need? Contact our team for expert assistance with your manufacturing project.