ENGINEERING STUDY / CNCJS—02
CNC Machining-Time Calculator
A standalone browser calculator for operation-level machining time, setup, rates, quantity, and cost assumptions.
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AutomationmacroPrototype
Geometry-Based Machining Quote Prototype
A modular SolidWorks VBA prototype that derives geometry indicators and machining-time estimates from imported part geometry.
Read code & workflow ↗
Explore the code, workflow and required setup.
MY FOCUSCreated modular geometry, hole, pocket, estimate, assumptions, and report components.
ENGINEERING VALUE
Shows how CAD geometry can support transparent, assumption-driven estimating rather than a single opaque rate.
PROJECT SCOPE
Geometry-based estimating workflow; heuristic feature recognition
Explore the project checks ↗ENGINEERING STUDY / CNCJS—02
Engineering concept illustration.
01 / THE PROBLEM
The engineering challenge.
Early machining estimates need auditable assumptions and geometry-derived quantities before detailed process planning is complete.
02 / CONSTRAINTS
What the solution must consider.
- Geometry recognition is heuristic and cannot replace CAM, machinist review, or final quoting controls.
03 / ENGINEERING APPROACH
Reasoning before geometry.
01
Engineering method
Keep assumptions in an external INI, isolate recognition modules, and calculate roughing, finishing, drilling, setup, programming, and inspection contributions separately.
02
Workflow features
STEP import; Bounding and mass-property metrics; Cylindrical-hole grouping; Pocket-loop recognition; MRR and surface-area estimation; CSV/TXT reports.
04 / DESIGN & IMPLEMENTATION
Connecting intent to execution.
The seven-module VBA workflow links geometry recognition to machining and cost assumptions. Maintaining consistent module revisions is required when installing or extending the macro.
- STEP import
- Bounding and mass-property metrics
- Cylindrical-hole grouping
- Pocket-loop recognition
- MRR and surface-area estimation
- CSV/TXT reports
05 / VALIDATION
The checks behind the design.
Prototype
Feature recognition and estimate outputs require checks against representative parts, CAM strategies and machinist judgment. Geometry heuristics support early estimates rather than final quotation approval.
06 / OUTCOME
The value of the work.
Shows how CAD geometry can support transparent, assumption-driven estimating rather than a single opaque rate.
THE ENGINEERING PRINCIPLE
Automate the workflow, including its failure cases.
Reliable engineering automation needs input checks, predictable output, clear diagnostics and a way to verify that quantities and references were preserved. Saving clicks alone is not sufficient evidence of correctness.
A question for a technical conversation
What would you test when the input is incomplete, duplicated or outside the tool’s supported scope?
LET’S BUILD SOMETHING THAT WORKS
Good design belongs
on the shop floor.
Considering a role in mechanical design, manufacturing methods,
fixture design, or estimation? Let’s connect.