CAD Model Pricing Interface for Interactive Procurement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current CAD software limits users to only viewing designs and does not allow for interactive pricing requests or the ability to automatically obtain pricing from CAD models, hindering the procurement process for manufacturers.
Innovation Solution
A user-modifiable spectrum interface within an electronic marketplace system that enables users to interact with CAD models, select tools, and add functionalities to request pricing from suppliers, allowing for bid solicitation, cost estimation, or firm price estimates.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If viewing software is used to examine CAD models, then users can view the design, but users cannot interact with the model or automatically obtain pricing
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the viewing software functionality with pricing request capabilities into a single integrated system. The marketplace system merges CAD model viewing, interaction tools, and automated pricing generation into one unified interface, eliminating the need for separate software applications and enabling users to both view models and request pricing without switching tools.
Solution Approach 2:
The viewing software is transformed into a multi-functional tool that not only displays CAD models but also enables users to interact with the model data, modify parameters, and automatically generate pricing requests. The system provides multiple functions including viewing, interacting, calculating, and communicating with suppliers, making a single tool serve multiple purposes in the procurement process.
2Adaptability or versatility
If CAD software allows interaction with models, then users can modify designs, but automatic pricing generation is not available
Solution Approach 1:
The system establishes a feedback loop where modifications to the CAD model automatically trigger recalculation of pricing information. When users interact with or modify the model, the system detects these changes, recalculates the pricing based on updated parameters, and presents new pricing data to the user, creating an automated responsive system that continuously updates pricing as the design evolves.
Solution Approach 2:
The system pre-configures pricing parameters, supplier information, and calculation rules before the user needs to request pricing. The marketplace system maintains a database of supplier capabilities, pricing structures, and material costs in advance, so that when a user interacts with the CAD model, the pricing can be automatically generated immediately without requiring manual data collection or preliminary setup at the moment of request.
3Adaptability or versatility
If a comprehensive marketplace system is implemented, then users can interact with CAD models and request pricing, but the system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The marketplace system is divided into distinct functional modules including CAD model viewing components, interaction tools, pricing calculation engines, supplier management systems, and communication interfaces. Each module handles a specific aspect of the procurement process independently, allowing the system to maintain comprehensive functionality while managing complexity through modular design, where each segment can be developed, maintained, and updated separately.
Data Source
AI summary
In an exemplary embodiment, software made in accordance with the present invention displays a marketplace interface, which displays at least a portion of a CAD model and a set ofmarketplace tool selectors to a user such that the user can manipulate the tool selectors to interact with an electronic marketplace. The marketplace interface may include a spectrum interface designed and configured to allow the user to selectively augment the marketplace interface with additional functionality. Various corresponding and related systems, methods, and software are described.