A customer sends CAD files for two or more parts to be molded in a family
to the system. The system provides the customer with a quotation form
that allows the customer to select several family-level parameters which
are independent of the shape of the part, such as material and delivery
date. The quotation also allows the customer to select several part-level
parameters which are independent off the shape of the part, such as
quantity of each part and surface finish. The system assesses the CAD
files to determine savings which can be achieved by molding the parts as
a family, with multiple parts in the same mold block. If possible, the
system machines cavities for the multiple parts into a single mold block,
passing on reductions in cost to the customer both in the quote and in
the final product delivery.