lkprototype’s online smart quotation system allows customers to upload 3D design files (12 formats such as STEP and IGES) and generate quotes in 87 seconds on average with AI-based algorithms. Taking an example of a UAV propeller part, after entering the size information (diameter 300mm, thickness 2.5mm), the system can automatically identify the carbon fiber composite material process program, and the cost of single processing appears as $23.6, having saved 92% of time compared with the traditional inquiry process. 2023 Case of consumer electronics industry shows that a smart watch business released 316L stainless steel case design from the platform, the system calculated 500 units batch order unit price in 43 seconds is 18.9 US dollars, and warned that 0.8mm slot structure with narrow slot will increase tool loss rate by 37%, it is recommended to reduce the cost to 15.3 US dollars after optimization.
The lkprototype mobile App has AR scanning capability, and the computer vision technology can identify significant dimensions in 19 seconds once the user has drawn a hand-sketch. For example, a medical device manufacturer scans the infusion pump housing drawing, the system automatically fills in the tolerance mark (±0.05mm), recommends the medical-grade ABS injection molding plan, 50 units of small batch quotation is $9.8 / unit, and shows that the current capacity utilization rate of the factory in East China is 83%, choosing the factory production can shorten the delivery cycle to 7 days. According to Deloitte’s report on Manufacturing Digitization in 2024, these real-time price technologies improved efficiency in R&D by 55%, and cut the lkprototype customers’ average product iteration time from 14 weeks down to 9 weeks.
Intelligent cost analysis module built in on the platform has the capacity to analyze 23 expense points. Let us consider the case of car aluminum alloy bracket, after entering 6061-T6 material parameters, the system shows the CNC processing fee for 61% ($14.7), surface blasting treatment fee for 18% ($4.3), quality inspection fee for 7% ($1.7), and informs that if batch number is upgraded to 1000 pieces, by optimizing tool path, processing fee can be reduced by 29%. A new energy company did verify that by adjusting the heat treatment process (from T6 to T5) based on lkprototype’s dynamic quotation engine, one piece was reduced in price successfully from $34.5 to $28.9 without undermining the technical demand of 320MPa yield strength.
lkprototype’s database of global supply chains includes 56 raw material price volatility information in real-time. When the PA66-GF30 injection molding is chosen by the customer, the system defaults to matching the last 30-day market price curve of the nylon resin (up 4.2%), and recommends using well-stocked POM material, which achieves a saving of 15% in material costs while maintaining tensile strength at 65MPa. Data in the second quarter of 2024 reported that customers using this tool saved on average 6.8% of surprise cost increases, with a maker of industrial robot components saving its overbudgeting by $1.27 million within three months by heeding material substitution recommendations.
For complex assemblies, lkprototype’s process of modular quotation allows for breaking down of 15 components into independent pricing. For a high-end camera head engineering project, the main frame (aluminum alloy 7075), damping components (polyurethane PU) and screws (stainless steel 304) were respectively quoted. By optimizing the surface treatment process (anodizing to micro-arc oxidation), the wear-resistant lifespan of key parts was extended from 8,000 to 12,000 test cycles, and the cost increased only by 11%. The system is AS9100D aerospace quality standard certified, and the error rate of quotations is kept at 1.2% ensuring that customers are able to accurately estimate cost of production from the prototype level.