You upload a part file (STEP, CATIA, SLDPRT, and others), and Machine Research’s ML engine analyzes the part geometry — evaluating volumes, surface areas, pockets, and complexity — to generate instant time and cost estimates. You review and adjust using your shop’s configured pricing templates, then send a professional quote directly from the platform.

Spreadsheets rely on manual inputs, tribal knowledge, and whoever happens to be available. Machine Research centralizes all part files, pricing history, and job data in one system, applies consistent pricing logic across every estimator, and uses machine learning that improves with every completed job.

It’s genuine machine learning. Most estimating tools use a fixed equation — typically a material removal rate multiplied by volume plus a finishing rate — regardless of your shop’s actual performance. Machine Research trains its ML model on your real recorded job actuals, so it learns the nuances of your specific machines, materials, and team. It gets more accurate the longer you use it.

Most shops are up and quoting within days, not months. There’s no lengthy implementation, no steep learning curve, and no need for dedicated IT resources. The platform is designed to be configured to your shop’s workflows quickly.

No. Machine Research is designed for small to mid-sized CNC and precision shops that need professional-grade estimating without enterprise-level cost or complexity. It’s affordable, has no long-term contracts, and scales as your shop grows.

Yes. Machine Research integrates with QuickBooks, JobBOSS², ProShop ERP, and Fulcrum, with more integrations in development.

Yes. Machine Research is ITAR registered and CMMC 2.0 Level 2 compliant, hosted on AWS GovCloud. It’s one of the only quoting platforms purpose-built to handle Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI), making it suitable for defense and aerospace shops without additional compliance overhead.

No — and it’s not designed to. Machine Research gives your estimators a powerful tool that handles geometry analysis and initial estimates automatically, freeing them to focus on the complex, judgment-intensive parts of quoting. Less experienced team members can quote most parts confidently, while senior estimators spend their time where it matters most.

Machine Research supports STEP, CATIA, X_T, SLDPRT, CATPART, X_B, SAT, SAB, IPT, PRT, PAR, JT, and IGS files, as well as 2D PDFs and drawing files — individually or in batches.

Pricing is transparent and affordable, with no long-term contracts required. Visit the pricing page to request pricing or schedule a demo to discuss what fits your shop’s size and volume.

Yes. Machine Research offers a free trial so you can test the platform with your own parts before committing to anything.