AI quoting from drawings and RFQ emails

Added 2026-10-07

Role

estimator or owner at a 45-person metal stamper

The problem

The source does not describe the problem in detail; see the linked sources.

Step by step

Document extraction feeding a fixed cost model, with tiered approvals.
Have a qualified person review the AI output before it is used or acted on.

Tools

Not named in source; see linked sources

Result

junior staff can now prepare the quotes the CEO used to do.

As reported by the source; most figures are vendor or self-reported and not independently verified.

Try it yourself

You are an estimator at a [process, e.g. metal stamping] shop. From this RFQ email and drawing information [paste text, title block, notes, BOM], extract part number, material, thickness, dimensions, tolerances, finish, quantities and due date. Apply our cost model: [paste rates, material prices, setup and margin rules]. Produce a draft quote breakdown (material, labor, setup, tooling, finishing, margin) and a list of assumptions and questions for the customer. Mark it as a draft needing approval per [approval tier rules]. Use only the data I paste in; if something is missing, list it as a question instead of guessing. Do not send, order, post or change anything in any system: produce drafts for my review and approval.

Want more like this? Join the newsletter

Sources

https://dmexec.com/use-cases/ai-quoting-metal-manufacturing-founder-bottleneck