Customers are often shocked at how quickly our CNC machine shop can turn around an impressively detailed and accurate quote for a complex assembly. Our secret? Our advanced digital quoting software. If you’re wondering what goes on behind the scenes, here’s a peek behind the curtain. 

Quoting a Complex Assembly 

First, you’ll want to send us your full assembly file, which we’ll take and upload into our Paperless Parts quoting platform. From there, the software will automatically break up the assembly into three distinct categories—manufactured components, purchased components, and subassemblies—to provide an accurate quote. 

Manufactured components

The platform will identify the components we’ll need to manufacture in our CNC machine shop and provide an estimate based on factors such as material cost, machine time, and plating. 

Purchased components 

Coordinating the ordering of the purchased components for a complex assembly can be challenging, especially for assemblies requiring dozens of unique components. Thankfully, Paperless Parts makes this task very simple. 

All new components purchased for the first time are added to the system with the part number, description, piece price, and box price. The system automatically assigns the price based on the quantity of components needed. 

Subassemblies

Complex assemblies typically involve multiple subassemblies. The software will break out the subassemblies, allowing us to determine which manufactured and purchased components go into which subassemblies and the amount of labor required. 

Visual Example: Quoting a Modular Wi-Fi and 5G Signal System Assembly

A customer recently came to us with a complex assembly prototype that needed to be redesigned for added strength and durability. A couple of years ago, we would have no-quoted this customer outright because it would have taken too much time and effort just to quote the project. However, with Paperless Parts, we could provide a quote within just one day.

Looking at the BOM, you can see that many components are involved in this assembly.

But, here, Paperless Parts breaks everything down by subassemblies, manufactured components, and purchased components. 

The information is broken down even further when we click on each subassembly. 

Next Up: What Happens After Quoting

Of course, quoting a complex assembly is only the first step. Then comes the actual manufacturing. Fortunately, our advanced software streamlines the process from beginning to end. 

Next month, we’ll dive deeper into what happens after quoting a complex assembly. Be sure to follow us on LinkedIn so you don’t miss the article. Ready to get your project started? Request a quote!