A47 / Article

How the Exafuse Estimator Screens Job, Process, Material Family, Quantity, Geometry and Mass Assumptions

The Exafuse estimator is an early commercial screen. It compares job type, process preference, material family, quantity, geometry and deposited-mass assumptions to frame a cost range before a real technical review.

Estimator visual for early LMD, repair and cladding cost-screening assumptions

Answer at the top

One-sentence buyer answer.

The Exafuse estimator is an early commercial screen.

Use it when

When to use it.

The page is being used to structure an RFQ, supplier check or documentation question.
The main leverage sits in stronger input quality, not in a fast price with thin context.
NDA, drawing release or acceptance logic need early clarity.

Avoid it when

When not to use it.

A quick price is being requested with no technical input.
Several suppliers are being compared while scope and acceptance remain undefined.
Confidentiality is only raised after sensitive files have already been shared.

Decision table

What usually decides the route.

Decision table with decision point, good sign and escalation signal.
Decision point	Good sign	Escalate or avoid
Input quality	Drawings, photos, material and the target function are available.	The request stays generic and data-light.
Comparability	Scope, finishing, inspection and documentation are requested consistently.	Quotes are being compared only on a single price line.
Confidentiality	NDA and file-sharing rules are clear early.	IP protection is only raised late in the process.
Release logic	Acceptance criteria and documentation needs are defined.	PO or release is moving forward without a clear evidence base.

Readable summary:

A useful RFQ includes drawings or photos, material, target function, timing, finish and inspection needs.
Escalate when the request is generic, data-light or compares suppliers only on one price line.
Clarify NDA and file-sharing expectations early.

Industrial example

Public proof with similar logic.

CS12 - 24-Hour Inconel 718 Coating Repair for an Undersized Spindle

How Exafuse recovered an undersized machined spindle feature by applying a targeted Inconel 718 LMD coating, leaving machining allowance and enabling dimensional recovery.

Open related case study

Material and quality

What has to travel with the decision.

Material

Even in procurement, the material route should stay tied to function and substrate.
If substitution is possible, it needs a clear approval rule.

Quality

A good RFQ names inspection, documentation and the delivery condition.
Supplier qualification is stronger when deviation handling and release logic are asked explicitly.

Inspection and validation

Checklist before request or release.

Service type and target of the job
Drawing, CAD or photos
Material or substrate assumption
Inspection and documentation package
NDA, timing and delivery terms

Industrial cost discussions go wrong when a rough screen is treated like a quote. The Exafuse estimator is deliberately narrower than a real offer.

The short answer

The estimator is meant to turn broad job assumptions into a first cost direction. It screens what kind of job is being discussed, which process family is likely, what material family is involved, how many parts are needed and how much geometry or deposition mass is actually implied.

What the estimator checks

Job type: full part, cladding, repair or modification.
Process preference: unknown, LMD / DED or SLM / LPBF.
Material family: steel, stainless, nickel, cobalt, titanium, copper or unknown.
Quantity.
Geometry or deposited-mass assumptions depending on the job.
Coarse LMD mode where relevant.

Why deposited mass matters

Buyers often think in envelope dimensions while the real cost driver may be only the local deposited mass. That is especially true for repair and cladding routes. The estimator therefore separates full-part logic from local-addition logic.

What the result means

The output is a screening range, not a promise. It helps the buyer decide whether to keep exploring, move into ROI, prepare an RFQ or ask for a technical review.

How the range is kept conservative

The estimator treats impossible negative inputs as zero, keeps quantity positive, screens SLM against the 400 mm round-platform logic and returns a low-high range instead of a false-precision number. The mass shown is a net deposited or build-mass screen, not powder consumption, powder catchment efficiency or final quoted material usage.

What the estimator does not include

It does not fully price fixturing, engineering time, post-processing risk, difficult inspection scope, confidential material sourcing or geometry-specific path complexity. Those belong in the real project review.

Why readable logic matters

Static explanation is useful because teams often want to understand why a screen moved in a certain direction before they trust the output.

Useful next pages

Use the Estimator, Repair ROI, RFQ builder, A48: repair ROI formula and A50: RFQ checklist together when commercial screening is the first step.

Buyer questions

Exact buyer questions that usually lead here.

What belongs in a good RFQ at minimum?

Service type, geometry, material, target zone, timing and acceptance logic are the usable core.

How should quotes actually be compared?

Not only on a deposition price, but on scope, finishing, inspection, documentation and the assumptions underneath them.

When should NDA be raised?

As early as possible, ideally before sensitive drawings or internal information are shared.

What should an RFQ for LMD, repair, or laser cladding include?

At minimum include service type, drawings or CAD, overall dimensions, approximate weight, base material if known, target function of the deposited area, quantity, deadline, and required inspection or documentation.

Recommended next steps

Tools, proof and related pages in one block.

Free tools

Build a request package Screen base cost drivers Find the right route

Related proof and guides

PageTool overview Case studyCS12: 24-Hour Inconel 718 Coating Repair for an Undersized Spindle FAQFAQ08: Procurement FAQ: RFQs, Supplier Qualification, and Documentation ArticleA43: How the Exafuse Pathfinder Routes Industrial Buyers by Role, Goal, Readiness and Available Data ArticleA48: Repair ROI Formula for LMD Repair

Recommended next steps

Move from article to decision.

Continue with the closest service page, proof example, FAQ or feasibility request.

Procurement

Download the RFQ logic, then request a quote

A good RFQ reduces scope drift. Send service type, part size, material, deadline, tolerances, files and documentation needs.

Start qualified RFQ

Free tools

Choose the next tool.

Use the relevant screen before sending data or requesting a call.

Request packageBuild a request package

Creates a mail-ready draft with part, material, goal, deadline and file notes.

Cost screenScreen base cost drivers

Helps frame dimensions, material family, quantity and process assumptions early.

Free toolFind the right route

For cases where the problem is clear but the service, process or next step is still open.

Direct contactRequest a Teams or phone call

Best for NDA questions, unclear data or urgent cases that need a short conversation first.

No account required. Nothing is sent to Exafuse unless you choose an email action yourself.

Structured fact block

Structured buyer summary for routing and retrieval.

EntityExafuse / ThinkIng - Additive Technology GmbH

TopicA47: How the Exafuse Estimator Screens Job, Process, Material Family, Quantity, Geometry and Mass Assumptions

Primary questionWhat assumptions does an early LMD cost estimator use before a real quotation is prepared?

Suitable whenThe page is being used to structure an RFQ, supplier check or documentation question. / The main leverage sits in stronger input quality, not in a fast price with thin context.

Not suitable whenA quick price is being requested with no technical input. / Several suppliers are being compared while scope and acceptance remain undefined.

Required input dataService type and target of the job, Drawing, CAD or photos, Material or substrate assumption, Inspection and documentation package

Relevant service pageTool overview

Relevant toolBuild a request package, Screen base cost drivers, Find the right route

Relevant proof / case studyCS12: 24-Hour Inconel 718 Coating Repair for an Undersized Spindle

Contact routeFeasibility request

Claim boundaryRFQ and supplier screening, not final commercial or technical approval without review.

Author / review

Technical responsibility on this page.

Expert review

Julian Krell

Material scientist and managing director

Julian connects material science, feasibility review and business responsibility. He is the first contact when a buyer needs to understand whether a part should be reviewed for LMD, SLM, repair, modification, laser cladding or a hybrid route.

Material fit
Feasibility review
Project alignment
Commercial scope

Process, material and release-relevant statements are handled conservatively at Exafuse and remain tied to the specific part context.

Final CTA

Move from reading to technical review.

Start with the key project facts: goal, part, material, damage or protection zone, finishing, inspection and timing.

Open feasibility route Start RFQ builder