Why Your Precision Machine Shop Needs a 3D CAD File
When you’re ready to request a quote from a precision machine shop, remember to include two critical uploads relevant to your part:
A 2D drawing
A 3D CAD file
Why does the computer-aided design (CAD) file matter so much?
Here’s what you need to know.
2D Drawings Are Important—but They Aren’t Enough
A 2D drawing provides crucial information about a part, including:
Material requirements
Standard and critical tolerances
Surface finishes
Other uses include:
Identifying information. The customer name and part number on the 2D drawing allow our production team to locate your project on our internal server from any workstation in the building.
Job traveler. We use your 2D drawing as your project’s “manufacturing traveler,” the instructions that accompany your part throughout production. Team members track each manufacturing step on the traveler to confirm your part has been made to your requirements.
Inspection guide. Your 2D drawing serves as our inspection guide; our team verifies each callout against the machined part’s final measurements.
The more detailed your 2D drawing, the fewer phone calls we have to make to confirm critical information about your part. A comprehensive 2D drawing also ensures that we make your part the right way the first time—no costly redos or re-machining delays.
While a 2D drawing (a PDF, IDW, or DWF file, perhaps) is undoubtedly vital to the manufacturing of your part, it does not provide enough information for us to build an accurate quote, which is why we ask that you submit a 3D CAD file, too.
Always Provide a 3D CAD File! Here’s Why.
Here at Accurate CNC, we want to provide the most accurate, detailed quotes possible. To create a spot-on quote, we need every bit of information you can share, from the callouts on your 2D drawing to the specifics of the final application. And we absolutely must have your part’s CAD file, which includes key details that allow us to determine the actual cost of your part.
Whether you designed your solid model in AutoCAD or SolidWorks, the resulting file shows our team every vertice, edge, and surface of the part and where those elements exist in space—whether internal or external.
Not only is this information critical during the quoting process, but we also use this information to generate the toolpaths necessary to cut and shape your part to your exact specifications.
From prototype machining services to CNC router services to any of our other precision machine shop’s capabilities, every manufacturing process requires a CAD file.
If you can’t provide one to us, the Accurate CNC Services team can create a CAD model for you. However, CAD modeling is a complex and tedious process and often veers into reverse engineering territory. While the cost of making a CAD file on your behalf varies according to your project’s scope and size, it can certainly take a chunk out of your budget.
Your files are 100% secure with Accurate CNC Services
Perhaps you hesitate to upload CAD files because you fear your documents won’t be secure. We get it! Your projects are proprietary to your company, which is why our precision machine shop takes every precaution to ensure your files are protected.
Non-disclosure agreements. We understand that many of our customers are hard at work developing patent-pending products. That’s why every team member at Accurate CNC Services signs an NDA. If you have your own NDA you’d like us to sign, please ask!
Secure quoting and collaboration. From the moment you submit an RFQ, your information is protected because we use Paperless Parts, an intuitive manufacturing software that’s ITAR registered and compliant with developing CMMC requirements.
Whether you’re simply gathering pricing information or collaborating with us on an existing project, you can rest easy knowing that:
Your data is encrypted in transit and at rest
Our network and servers are approved for Controlled Unclassified Information
Your files are never sold or shared with third parties
All data is securely backed up at the end of each day
Securely Share Your Drawings and Solid Models with Accurate CNC Services
Our customers trust even their most “hush-hush” queries and project details with Accurate CNC Services—and they’ve done so for nearly 20 years!
If you’re looking for a precision machine shop that provides exceptional CNC routing, laser cutting and part marking, production and prototype machining, acrylic bending, welding, anodizing, powder coating, and assembly services, you’ve found your go-to team.
Request a quote to start your next project—and don’t forget to include your 3D CAD file!