FAQs

Features

Industries

Use Case

Instant Costing

DFM Analysis

Customizable Inputs

Part Library Management

Projects -Bulk
Configuration

How accurate is the instant costing?

Dashnode uses real part geometry, machining logic, and operation-level defaults to give estimates that are around 90% accurate.

What inputs do I need to get an instant costing?

Just upload a CAD file (STEP/STP), set material, quantity, and a few optional preferences , and you’re good to go.

Can I customize the cost parameters?

Yes. You can set your shop’s machine hourly rates (MHR), add custom operations, or adjust lead time logic based on your workflow.

Does it work for complex parts or assemblies?

Dashnode handles a wide range of geometries. Currently turning, milling and turn mill components.

Is the estimate exportable?

Absolutely. You get a buyer-ready PDF and Excel output that includes a detailed breakdown — ready to send, no formatting needed.

Is there a free trial?

Yes — you get 100 free credits to try instant costing before choosing a plan. No credit card needed.

How accurate is the DFM Analysis?

Dashnode leverages advanced algorithms and extensive manufacturing knowledge to provide highly accurate DFM insights, flagging issues that often lead to production problems and increased costs.

What kind of design issues does Dashnode identify?

Dashnode identifies a wide range of issues including thin walls, deep holes, undercut features, tool access limitations, tolerance conflicts, and more, depending on the chosen manufacturing process.

Can I get DFM insights for different manufacturing processes?

Yes, Dashnode can analyze your design against DFM rules specific to various manufacturing processes like CNC milling, turning, sheet metal fabrication, and more, ensuring optimized designs for each.

Can I get DFM insights for different manufacturing processes?

Dashnode not only identifies potential problems but also provides clear, actionable recommendations and visualizations to help you understand and implement the necessary design improvements.

Is the DFM report exportable?

Absolutely. You can export a comprehensive DFM analysis report in PDF format, highlighting identified issues, recommended changes, and their potential impact on manufacturability and cost.

Is there a free trial?

Yes, you get 100 free credits to try instant DFM analysis before choosing a plan. No credit card needed.

How granular can I get with customizing cost parameters?

You can dive deep! Adjust machine hourly rates down to the individual asset, fine-tune setup times by operation, specify material scrap factors, define tooling costs per feature, and set custom overhead application methods to reflect your exact cost structure.

My facility has unique finishing operations. Can Dashnode cost these accurately?

Absolutely. Dashnode allows you to easily define and integrate custom operations, such as specialized heat treatments, unique plating, assembly, or proprietary inspection steps, along with their associated time and material costs.

Can I connect Dashnode to my existing inventory or supplier pricing?

Yes! Dashnode supports various methods to import and sync your current material price lists from suppliers or integrate with your ERP/inventory management system to ensure your material costs are always up-to-date and accurate.

If I customize settings, do they apply to all my users and quotes?

Once configured, your customized settings become your organization's default logic within Dashnode. They will automatically apply to all new quotes generated by your team, ensuring consistency and adherence to your specific business rules. You can also save different profiles for various types of work.

How does customizing margins help my business?

By setting dynamic target profit margins, you gain strategic control over your pricing. You can experiment with different margin levels to understand their impact on the final quote, allowing you to optimize for competitiveness or profitability on a per-project basis.

Is there a free trial to explore the customization features?

Yes, you get 100 free credits upon signing up. These credits allow you to fully explore and experiment with Dashnode's powerful customization features without any commitment or credit card required. See how perfectly it can adapt to your operations.

What kind of information can I store for each part in the library?

You can store a comprehensive range of data, including the part's CAD file, all associated costing parameters (materials, operations, MHRs, tooling), DFM analysis notes, manufacturing instructions, historical quote data, and any custom notes or tags.

How easy is it to add new parts to the library?

It's incredibly simple. After generating a quote for a new part or assembly, you'll have an option to save it directly to your library, complete with all the details you've already configured.

Can I create different categories or folders within the Part Library?

Yes, ACE provides flexible categorization and tagging options, allowing you to organize your parts by product line, material type, customer, complexity, or any other criteria relevant to your operations.

Does the library support assemblies, or just individual components?

The Part Library fully supports both individual components and complex assemblies. You can save and recall entire multi-part structures, streamlining quoting for larger projects.

How does version control work for saved parts?

When you modify a saved part and re-save it, ACE automatically tracks the changes, creating a version history. This allows you to revert to previous versions if needed and maintain a clear audit trail of design and cost evolution.

Is the Part Library feature included in the free trial?

Yes, your 100 free credits allow you to fully explore and utilize the Part Library and Management features. You can start building your library and experience the benefits of data centralization firsthand without any commitment.

What types of files can I upload for bulk configuration?

You can upload multiple CAD files in common formats such as STEP, STL, or DXF for simultaneous processing.

Can I apply different settings to different groups of parts within a single bulk upload?

Yes, Dashnode allows you to define global settings for the entire batch, and then provides options to select specific parts or sub-groups to apply different parameters, offering granular control within a bulk operation.

Does bulk configuration work for both quoting and DFM analysis?

Absolutely. You can apply bulk settings for both instant costing and DFM analysis, receiving comprehensive reports and insights for your entire project or batch of components.

If I make a change in bulk, can I easily revert it or see the history?

Dashnode maintains a clear log of operations, including bulk configurations. While direct "undo" for a large batch isn't always feasible, you can typically re-run the configuration or adjust individual parts. The goal is to minimize the need for reverts through clear initial setup

Is there a limit to the number of parts I can process in bulk?

While specific limits may vary based on your plan, Dashnode is designed to handle significant project sizes and large batches of parts efficiently. Please check plan details or contact us for specific volume capabilities.

Is the Projects/Bulk Configuration feature included in the free trial?

Yes, your 100 free credits provide full access to explore and utilize the Projects/Bulk Configuration features. Experience how easy it is to manage large workloads with Dashnode, no credit card required

What makes Dashnode.ai uniquely suited for aerospace CNC manufacturing costing, unlike other solutions?

Dashnode.ai is purpose-built for aerospace CNC. It features specialized material databases and AI-powered algorithms for complex geometries. Crucially, Dashnode.ai automates machining time/Cycle Time calculation using internal CAM-like algorithms from CAD data, a capability absent in broader tools. Dashnode.ai is your Automated CNC Costing Engine.

How does Dashnode.ai integrate with our existing aerospace-specific systems?

Dashnode.ai offers flexible and robust integration with industry-standard aerospace CAD/CAM and ERP systems , and material management platforms via secure APIs, ensuring a seamless workflow.

Can Dashnode.ai handle costing for both rapid prototyping and high-volume aerospace production?

Yes, Dashnode.ai is highly scalable. For prototyping, it enables quick estimations. For high-volume production, it provides sophisticated tools for detailed process planning and efficiency gains, supporting custom, batch, and mass production needs.

What kind of support and training does Dashnode.ai provide to ensure our team's proficiency?

Dashnode.ai is designed for an intuitive user experience. We provide comprehensive training, documentation, and dedicated support from aerospace costing experts to ensure quick proficiency.

Who is Dashnode.ai for?

Dashnode.ai is designed for CNC job shops, OEMs, and manufacturers in regulated and precision-driven industries like aerospace, healthcare, robotics, and more.

How easy is it to get started with Dashnode.ai?

Very easy. You can import CAD files, configure your machines and material preferences, and start generating cost estimates within minutes.

Do I need CAM experience to use this tool?

Not at all. Dashnode.ai is built to be intuitive and user-friendly, even for teams without deep CAM or CNC programming experience.

Can I customize rates and material libraries?

Yes. You can fully configure machine rates, labor costs, materials, and overheads to reflect your shop-floor or quoting environment.

Is my data secure on Dashnode.ai?

Absolutely. We use industry-standard encryption and secure cloud architecture to keep your data safe and private.

What support do you offer after onboarding?

We provide ongoing customer support, access to documentation, and direct help from our CNC costing experts as needed.

Can Dashnode.ai handle different manufacturing volumes?

Yes. Whether you're quoting a single prototype or high-volume production runs, Dashnode.ai scales to your needs.

Is Dashnode.ai suitable for small robotic component shops?

Yes. Whether you're making sensor mounts or robotic enclosures, Dashnode.ai scales from prototype to production volumes.

Can it handle complex 5-axis robotic parts?

Absolutely. Dashnode.ai’s AI engine understands advanced geometries common in robotic systems.

What formats do you support for CAD files?

We currently support STEP/STP, with more formats coming soon.

Can I set different machine and labor rates for my builds?

Yes, all rates and inputs are fully customizable to match your real-world shop floor.

How long does it take to onboard my team?

Most teams are up and running in under a day, with support provided during setup.

Does it support quoting for assemblies?

Currently we focus on individual part costing. Assembly features are under development.

Can Dashnode.ai be used by small CNC job shops?

Yes, it’s ideal for small to mid-size manufacturers looking to reduce quoting time and improve costing accuracy.

Is there a learning curve for new users?

Not at all. It’s built for speed and simplicity — most users start quoting within hours.

What types of parts can it handle?

From simple brackets to complex housings and fixtures — Dashnode.ai supports a wide range of part types.

Can I cost both low- and high-volume jobs?

Yes. The platform supports costing flexibility for prototyping, small batch, and large production runs.

How secure is my data?

Your data is encrypted and stored in secure, industry-standard cloud infrastructure.

Can I define my own machines and labor rates?

Yes. Dashnode.ai lets you customize machine hour rates (MHR), labor cost, setup time, and overhead.

How does ACE estimate machining time without CAM?

It uses CAM-like AI to simulate toolpaths based on geometry and material — just like a skilled programmer.

Will this work for my Turn-Mill or 5-axis shop?

Yes. Dashnode supports VMC, HMC, Sliding Head, 5-Axis, Turn-Mill, and more.

Can I cost a single part and also run batch simulations?

Absolutely — you can simulate costs based on batch size and setup impact.

Is Dashnode.ai secure and cloud-based?

Yes. All data is securely encrypted, and you can access it via browser from anywhere.

Can Dashnode.ai support 100+ users across divisions?

Yes — it’s designed for enterprise deployment with multi-site control.

Does it support audit compliance and versioning?

Yes. Every cost is saved with full history and user traceability.

Can I limit what certain users or teams see/edit?

Yes — access and permissions are fully role-based.

What kind of integrations are possible?

Secure APIs are available for SAP, Oracle, CATIA, NX, Teamcenter, and more.

Can we get analytics across sites and programs?

Yes. You’ll have access to cost dashboards, usage trends, and KPIs.

Can I use Dashnode.ai without manufacturing knowledge?

Yes — it’s designed to be self-serve and intuitive for anyone with a CAD file.

Can I compare different material or volume scenarios?

Yes. You can test multiple configurations instantly.

Does it help identify risky or costly design features?

Yes. Dashnode.ai runs DFM analysis and flags hard-to-machine features.

Can I download a cost breakdown to share with others?

Yes. You can export professional reports to PDF or Excel formats.

What if I only need to cost one or two parts?

That’s fine. Dashnode works perfectly for single-part or low-volume jobs.

Can teams across locations use different machine rates?

Yes — Dashnode.ai lets you set location-specific cost models.

Can sourcing or design teams use it directly?

Yes. ACE is made for both technical and business stakeholders.

Will it handle BOMs with 10+ components?

Yes. You can upload and cost entire assemblies at once.

Can we track changes across costing versions?

Yes. Each estimate includes timestamped revision history.

How accurate is the machining time and setup estimation?

It’s within 90–95% of CAM-programmed toolpaths in most use cases.

Frequently Asked Questions