The verdict in three sentences
In industrial subcontracting, quote response time matters as much as price: a buyer consulting three shops often orders from the first one that answers correctly. An AI quoting engine trained on your history costs EUR 20,000 to 40,000 excl. VAT and cuts response time from 4 days to 1 day, with the estimator validating instead of calculating everything. The expected gain for a mid-sized shop is a conversion rate rising from 22% to 30%, provided you have at least 3,000 usable past quotes.
How the AI prices a drawing
The process runs in four steps. The AI reads the PDF drawing or STEP file: main dimensions, tolerances, surface finishes, material, treatments, quantities. It then searches the history for similar parts already quoted and produced, comparing geometry, material and routing. It proposes a routing (cutting, turning, 3- or 5-axis milling, grinding, subcontracted heat treatment) with a time per operation, calibrated on actual times recorded in production. Finally, it applies your machine hourly rates, the month's material price and your target margin.
The estimator receives a pre-filled quote with a confidence score and the three reference parts used. They correct, approve and send. Each correction improves the model.
| Quoting step | Manual method | With AI quoting |
|---|---|---|
| Reading the drawing and dimensions | 10 to 20 min | 1 to 2 min, review |
| Finding similar parts | 10 to 15 min, estimator's memory | instant across 6,000 quotes |
| Routing and machine time | 15 to 30 min | proposal based on actual times |
| Material and subcontracting cost | 5 to 10 min | automatic, monthly price |
| Writing and sending | 5 min | 1 min |
| Total time per quote | 45 to 80 min | 12 to 20 min |
| Average response time | 4 days | 1 day |
2026 project budget
Cost depends mainly on the state of your history. Quotes stored in an ERP (Clipper, Silex, Divalto, Sage X3) with actual production times greatly reduce data preparation. Quotes scattered across Excel files double that phase.
| Item | Content | Budget (EUR excl. VAT) | Timeline |
|---|---|---|---|
| History audit and cleanup | 6,000 quotes, matched with actual times | 3,000 - 8,000 | 2 - 3 weeks |
| Drawing reading | PDF, STEP, DXF, dimension and tolerance extraction | 5,000 - 9,000 | 3 weeks |
| Similarity and routing engine | Part search, time per operation | 5,000 - 10,000 | 3 - 4 weeks |
| Pricing rules | Machine rates, material, margin, quantities | 2,000 - 4,000 | 1 week |
| Estimator interface and ERP integration | Approval, sending, order feedback | 3,500 - 6,500 | 2 - 3 weeks |
| Pilot and calibration | 300 quotes priced in parallel | 1,500 - 2,500 | 3 weeks |
| Total | 20,000 - 40,000 | 12 - 16 weeks |
Recurring costs run around EUR 300 to 900 a month: hosting, model calls (about EUR 0.30 to 1 per drawing analyzed) and quarterly recalibration. Customer drawings stay confidential: hosting in the European Union and a contractual commitment that the data is not used to train a public model.
Mini case study
Thomas runs a 45-employee machining shop in the Arve valley in France. He receives 250 quote requests a month, priced by two people in 50 minutes on average, i.e. 208 hours a month. With a 4-day response time, he converts 22% of quotes, i.e. 55 orders worth EUR 3,500 on average.
After a EUR 30,000 excl. VAT project, time per quote falls to 15 minutes, i.e. 62 hours a month: 146 hours freed, reassigned to CNC programming and customer follow-up. Response time drops to 1 day and the conversion rate rises to 30%, i.e. 75 orders. The 20 extra orders represent EUR 70,000 in monthly revenue; with a 25% contribution margin, the gain reaches EUR 17,500 a month. The project pays back in under 2 months, even under a cautious assumption of half as many extra orders.
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FAQ
How many past quotes are needed at minimum?
Below 2,000 quotes, the similar-part search lacks references. Results become solid from 3,000 quotes, ideally linked to actual production times.
Can the AI send a quote without human approval?
Technically yes for simple, repeat parts, often 15 to 25% of requests. We recommend keeping an approval step, which takes 2 to 3 minutes, for at least the first 6 months.
Are 3D models read better than PDFs?
Yes, a STEP file gives exact geometry and time-estimate accuracy improves by about 10 points. Tolerances and surface finishes are still read from the 2D drawing.
What happens when material prices change?
Aluminum, stainless steel or titanium prices are updated monthly, or even weekly, in the pricing rules. Quotes still within their validity period stay frozen at the price on their issue date.
What price gap is there between the AI and the estimator?
After calibration, the median gap is usually between 5 and 8%. Parts with a gap above 15% are flagged and used to refine the model.
Let's scope your project. Share an export of your quote history and a dozen typical drawings: we will price an AI quote generation engine between EUR 20,000 and 40,000 excl. VAT, delivered in 12 to 16 weeks. Detailed quote within 48 h. WhatsApp +221 77 596 93 33.
Mohamed Bah
Fondateur, Kolonell
Passionate about digital and entrepreneurship in Africa, Mohamed has been helping Sénégalese businesses with their digital transformation since 2020. Founder of Kolonell, he believes every SME deserves a professional and accessible online présence.
