Blog on Quoting Automation for Sheet Metal

2 October 2026 · 4 min read

From PDF drawing to a clearer quote basis

Material, tolerances and surface requirements are often in the PDF drawing. Glintify helps you collect the information and see what needs review ahead of the quote.

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2 September 2026 · 12 min read

Manufacturing quoting software: what to look for before you buy

Nine buying checks for CAD analysis, cost models, machine data, traceability, estimator control and quote workflow.

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31 August 2026 · 10 min read

K-factor and unfolding: when CAD, DIN 6935 and your bend data disagree

Drawings rarely state a K-factor. How to choose an unfolding model when CAD, DIN 6935 and a calibrated bend table give different blank sizes.

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August 28, 2026 · 8 min read

Why sheet metal quote automation is not plug-and-play

A CAD file is the start, not the full answer. Drawing requirements, machines, tooling, processes and rules must meet in the calculation.

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August 26, 2026 · 9 min read

Air bending, bottoming or coining? What CAD geometry can decide

The same final angle can be made with three different methods. See what CAD can measure, what costing can suggest and when the estimator must decide.

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August 15, 2026 · 10 min read

Sheet metal bending: technique, charts and when robot bending pays off

Bending is driven by technique, V-opening and batch size. How to read a bending chart, when robot bending pays off, and what drives the price of bent parts.

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August 12, 2026 · 8 min read

AI should not guess geometry: combining AI and CAD analysis in quoting

AI can structure a quote request, but CAD geometry should be measured deterministically. This is how sheet metal shops automate without losing traceability.

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August 10, 2026 · 9 min read

What should a sheet metal quoting system read from a STEP file?

A STEP file gives the quoting system geometry and manufacturing features. See what can be analyzed automatically, what must be added, and what the estimator should approve.

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August 8, 2026 · 9 min read

K-factor and flat length: calculating bend deduction per DIN 6935

Flat length follows from where the neutral fiber sits. DIN 6935 derives the K-factor from the r/t ratio, and the standard's k is not the same number as a CAD system's K-factor.

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August 6, 2026 · 7 min read

What is nesting, and how does material utilization affect laser cutting price?

Nesting is how parts are placed on the sheet before cutting. The placement decides how much material becomes scrap, and the scrap ends up in the quote.

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August 4, 2026 · 7 min read

9 DFM risks in bent sheet metal to check before quoting

A part can look correct in CAD yet still need extra review before bending. Here are nine risks to check before costing and quoting.

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August 3, 2026 · 9 min read

How a sales manager streamlines the quoting process at a sheet metal company

A practical guide to mapping the quote flow, finding where information gets stuck between sales and estimating, and standardizing with CAD-driven quote automation without losing technical control.

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August 3, 2026 · 9 min read

Which CAD files should you send for a sheet metal quote?

STEP, DXF, STL and PDF each serve a different purpose in a quote request. See which format fits the part, what the company can read from the file, and what data needs to be added.

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July 26, 2026 · 8 min read