CUTL User Manual

1. Overview

What is CUTL?

CUTL (cutl.online) is a cloud-based Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) platform for automated cost estimation and quoting in metal fabrication operations. The system processes CAD files to generate accurate cost calculations for laser cutting, waterjet cutting, plasma cutting, and related manufacturing processes.

Problems Solved

• Time Delays: Manual cost estimation requiring hours or days per quote
• Calculation Errors: Inaccurate material usage, machine time, and pricing calculations
• Workflow Fragmentation: Disconnected tools across design, estimation, and sales teams
• Scalability Limitations: Inability to handle high quote volumes without additional staff
• Data Security: Lack of centralized, secure project data management

Key Benefits

• Automated file analysis and cost breakdown from DXF files
• Reduced quoting time from hours to minutes
• Systematic cost calculation including materials, machine time, labor, and operations
• Cloud-based collaboration tools for distributed teams
• Professional PDF quote generation
• Elimination of manual data entry for operations when using proper DXF preparation

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2. Key Concepts & Terminology

Manufacturing Terms

Piercing: The process of penetrating material before beginning a cut. Each new contour requires a piercing operation, adding seconds to total machine time. Nesting: The arrangement of parts on a material sheet to minimize waste. Contour: A continuous line or shape in a CAD drawing. Can be open (line) or closed (shape with area). Bending: Sheet metal forming operation performed after cutting, typically measured by length or number of bends. Engraving: Surface marking or shallow cutting operation, typically measured by area.

CUTL-Specific Terms

Quick Calculation: Single-part cost estimation feature for rapid quotes. Project: Container for multi-part orders with shared customer information and consolidated reporting. Cutting Mode: Configuration defining cost per meter and piercing cost for specific material types and thicknesses. Operation: Post-cutting process (bending, engraving, painting, etc.) with defined pricing. Line Type: DXF drawing attribute (continuous, dashed, dash-dot, dotted) used to automatically assign operations. Supplementary Materials: Additional components (fasteners, packaging, etc.) added to part costs. Complexity Coefficient: Multiplier to account for difficult cutting conditions not reflected in the drawing. Cutting Coefficient: Multiplier to account for material usage greater than part size due to inefficient nesting.

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3. System Requirements & Prerequisites

Technical Requirements

• Web browser (Chrome, Firefox, Safari, or Edge recommended)
• Internet connection
• No software installation required
• No local CAD software required for cost estimation

File Format Support

Supported Input Format:

• DXF (Drawing Exchange Format)

Account Requirements

• Valid email address for registration
• Email verification required
• Free registration for basic access

Password Recovery: If you forget your password, use the “Forgot password” button on the login page to reset it via email. Email Verification: After registration, check your inbox (and spam folder) for the confirmation email.

Knowledge Prerequisites

• Basic understanding of manufacturing processes (laser cutting, bending, etc.)
• Familiarity with DXF file format
• Knowledge of your workshop’s cost structure (machine rates, material prices, labor costs)

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4. Getting Started

4.1 Account Creation

1. Navigate to cutl.online
2. Click registration or sign-up link
3. Provide email address and create password
4. Verify email address through confirmation link
5. Log in to the system

4.2 Initial Configuration

Complete these setup steps before performing calculations:

4.2.1 Equipment Types

1. Navigate to Dictionaries → Equipment Types
2. Create equipment type (laser, plasma, waterjet, etc.)
3. Save configuration

Alternative: Use the embedded generator to automatically create equipment types.

4.2.2 Equipment (Machines)

1. Navigate to Dictionaries → Equipment
2. Create machine entry with:
   • Machine name (e.g., “Laser 2 kW”)
   • Associated equipment type
3. Save configuration

Alternative: Press Generate button to auto-create machines.

4.2.3 Materials

1. Navigate to Dictionaries → Materials
2. For each material, enter:
   • Material name
   • Price per square meter (or set to 0 for manual entry)
   • Default cutting mode (optional)
3. Save material

Note: Setting price to 0 allows manual price entry during calculation or use with customer-supplied materials.

4.2.4 Cutting Modes

1. Navigate to Dictionaries → Cutting Modes
2. For each material type and thickness combination, create mode with:
   • Material reference
   • Thickness
   • Cost per linear meter of cutting
   • Cost per piercing operation
   • Machine/equipment reference
3. Save cutting mode

Alternative: Use the embedded generator to create modes automatically.

4.2.5 Using the Setup Wizard

The Setup Wizard provides automated initial configuration for new accounts. Purpose: Configure machines, materials, and cutting modes in minutes without manual entry. Procedure:

1. Navigate to Equipment page
2. Click Generate button
3. Select equipment type (Laser Cutting, Plasma, Waterjet, etc.)
4. Wizard automatically creates:
   • Sample machines (e.g., “Laser 2kW”, “Plasma 120A”)
   • Typical materials with standard prices and thicknesses
   • Default cutting modes with recommended speeds and costs
   • Default units and coefficients for your region
5. Review generated configuration
6. Customize entries as needed
7. Confirm setup

Result: System configured with minimum one machine, one or more materials, and default cutting modes for each thickness. Note: Wizard can be run multiple times to add additional equipment types.

4.3 Calculating Machine Costs

To determine accurate cutting costs:

Step 1: Measure Real Cutting Time

1. Create test file with known contour lengths (e.g., three 1-meter contours)
2. Cut test file and record total time
3. Calculate time per meter: Total time ÷ Total meters

Step 2: Measure Piercing Time

1. Cut same length divided into multiple segments (e.g., 1 meter as 10 segments)
2. Record total time
3. Calculate piercing time: (Segmented time – Continuous time) ÷ Number of segments

Step 3: Calculate Cost Per Minute

1. Sum monthly costs:
   • Operator salaries
   • Machine depreciation (purchase price ÷ expected lifetime in months)
   • Workshop rent, electricity, utilities
2. Calculate available machine hours: Working days per month × Hours per shift × Productive time percentage
3. Calculate cost per hour: Total monthly costs ÷ Available hours
4. Convert to cost per minute: Cost per hour ÷ 60

Step 4: Set Cutting Mode Prices

• Cost per meter = (Seconds per meter ÷ 60) × Cost per minute
• Cost per piercing = (Seconds per piercing ÷ 60) × Cost per minute

4.4 Organization and Tax Configuration

CUTL supports multi-organization environments for managing multiple legal entities or production branches.

4.4.1 Multiple Organizations

Purpose: Operate separate legal entities or production locations under one account. Configuration:

1. Navigate to Dictionaries → Organizations
2. Create organization entry with:
   • Organization name
   • Address
   • Contact details (phone, email)
   • Tax/VAT number (if applicable)
3. Save organization

Usage: When creating projects, select which organization the project belongs to.

4.4.2 Tax Configuration

Setting VAT Rate:

1. Open organization details
2. Enter VAT rate percentage
3. Select tax display mode:
   • Inclusive (tax included in prices)
   • Exclusive (tax shown separately)
4. Save configuration

Application: Tax rate automatically applies to all generated quotes and commercial offers for that organization. Use Case: Operate in multiple countries with different tax rates or issue invoices under different legal entities.

4.4.3 User Invitations

Purpose: Add team members to collaborate within an organization. Procedure:

1. Navigate to User → Invitations
2. Enter email address of user to invite
3. Assign role:
   • Viewer (read-only access)
   • Estimator (can create and edit quotes)
   • Manager (full access to organization)
4. Send invitation

Invited User Experience:

• Receives email with secure join link
• Gains access to shared projects, machines, and materials within that organization
• Permissions limited to assigned role

Important: Invitations are organization-specific. Users invited to one organization do not automatically see others unless explicitly added.

4.5 How to Prepare a DXF File for Calculation

Understanding the DXF Format

The DXF (Drawing Exchange Format) is a universal CAD standard that can store both 2D drawings and 3D objects. This makes it suitable for transferring drawings and 3D models between different programs. In CUTL, the system calculates the cutting cost of parts by treating any lines in the drawing as cutting paths. Therefore, to obtain an accurate calculation result, you cannot simply save your drawing as a DXF file “as is.”

Essential Preparation Steps

To ensure accurate cost calculations, remove all elements that are not part of the actual part geometry:

1. Remove title frames and drawing borders
   • Delete any border rectangles or title blocks
   • Remove company logos and drawing stamps
2. Delete dimension lines
   • Remove all measurement indicators
   • Delete dimension text and arrows
   • Remove center lines and reference marks
3. Remove text and annotations
   • Delete all text labels (unless they must be engraved)
   • Remove notes and callouts
   • Delete material specifications and part numbers
4. Clean construction and auxiliary lines
   • Remove all construction geometry
   • Delete reference lines and guidelines
   • Remove hidden lines
5. Break 3D model links
   • If the drawing was generated as a view from a 3D model, break the link with the model
   • Remove any service or reference elements
   • Delete projection indicators

DXF File Preparation Checklist

Before uploading your file to CUTL:

•  Only part contours and holes remain
•  All dimensions removed
•  All text removed (except engraving)
•  All construction lines removed
•  Border and title block removed
•  File saved in correct units (mm or inches)
•  All contours are closed where required
•  No duplicate or overlapping lines

DXF Version Recommendation

The DXF format has evolved over many years, with new objects and features added in each version. Recommended Version: AutoCAD 2012 (DXF 2010) or earlier Why this version?

• Maximum compatibility with CUTL
• Simple, clean geometry
• Reliable line type export
• Minimal risk of reading errors

Newer Versions:

• Also supported by CUTL
• Complex multi-layer drawings may not always be read correctly
• Some advanced features may not be interpreted properly

How to select version (if your CAD software allows):

1. Choose “Save As” or “Export”
2. Select DXF format
3. Look for version dropdown
4. Choose “AutoCAD 2012 DXF” or “R2010 DXF”
5. Save file

What Your Final DXF Should Contain

Think of the DXF as the exact cutting path your machine will follow. Correct DXF contains:

• Part outline (outer contour)
• Holes and internal cutouts
• Engraving paths (if marked with appropriate line type)
• Bend lines (if marked with appropriate line type)

Correct DXF does NOT contain:

• Borders or frames
• Dimensions
• Text (except intentional engraving)
• Construction lines
• Reference geometry

Visual Verification

Before uploading:

1. Open your DXF file in a viewer or CAD program
2. Verify only cutting paths are visible
3. Check that all contours are closed
4. Confirm dimensions match expected part size

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Mistake 1: Including dimension lines

• Result: Dimensions interpreted as cutting paths
• Fix: Delete all dimensions before export

Mistake 2: Leaving title block

• Result: Border rectangle included in cutting calculation
• Fix: Remove or move to non-printing layer

Mistake 3: Not breaking 3D model link

• Result: Extra reference geometry included
• Fix: Break association and delete construction elements

Mistake 4: Using wrong units

• Result: Part calculated at wrong scale
• Fix: Verify drawing units match real-world dimensions

Example Workflow

Bad DXF workflow:

1. Create 3D model in SolidWorks
2. Create drawing view
3. Add dimensions and notes
4. Save As DXF → Upload to CUTL ❌

Correct DXF workflow:

1. Create 3D model in SolidWorks
2. Create drawing view
3. Copy only part geometry to new layer
4. Delete all dimensions, text, and borders
5. Verify only cutting paths remain
6. Save As DXF (AutoCAD 2012 format)
7. Upload to CUTL ✓

File Quality Check

After preparing your DXF:

1. Upload to CUTL Quick Calculation
2. Review the preview display
3. Check cutting length calculation
4. Verify contour count matches expectations
5. Use AI Reviewer to detect any remaining issues

If results look incorrect:

• Return to CAD software
• Review what’s visible in the file
• Remove extra elements
• Re-export and re-upload

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5. Core Features

5.1 Quick Calculation (Single Parts)

Purpose

Generate rapid cost estimates for individual parts.

When to Use

• Single part quotes
• Quick customer responses
• Initial feasibility checks
• Testing material/mode configurations

Procedure

1. Navigate to Quick Calculation section
2. Click Upload or drag DXF file to upload area
3. System automatically analyzes file and displays:
   • Part dimensions
   • Total area
   • Cutting length
   • Contour count
4. Select Material from dropdown
5. Select Cutting Mode from dropdown
6. Review calculated cost

Optional Adjustments

Cutting Coefficient:

1. Locate cutting coefficient field
2. Increase value to account for material waste
3. Cost updates automatically

Complexity Coefficient:

1. Locate complexity coefficient field
2. Increase value to account for difficult cutting conditions
3. Cost updates automatically

Manual Price Override:

1. Navigate to Calculation tab
2. Enter new material price
3. Green indicator shows price increase, red shows decrease

Output

• Price per piece (material + cutting only)
• Total calculated cost
• Part preview with dimensions

5.2 Contour Analysis

Purpose

Review detailed contour information and exclude specific contours from cutting.

Procedure

1. In Quick Calculation or Part Details, select Contour Table tab
2. Review table showing:
   • Contour number
   • Length
   • Area (for closed contours)
   • Contour type (open/closed)
   • Line type indicator
3. To exclude contour from cutting:
   • Locate contour row
   • Check Exclude checkbox
   • Excluded contours highlight in red on preview
   • Cutting length recalculates automatically

Use Cases

• Removing drill holes to be processed separately
• Excluding engraving lines from cutting length
• Isolating bend lines marked in drawing

5.3 Projects (Multi-Part Orders)

Purpose

Manage complex orders with multiple parts, consolidated quoting, and material planning.

When to Use

• Customer requests for multiple different parts
• Orders requiring quantity tracking per part
• Material consumption planning
• Professional quote generation

5.3.1 Project Creation

1. Navigate to Projects section
2. Click New Project or equivalent button
3. Enter required fields:
   • Project name
   • Customer (optional)
   • Description (optional)
4. Click Save

5.3.2 File Upload

1. In project view, locate file upload area
2. Upload one or more DXF files using:
   • Upload button
   • Drag and drop
3. System processes files automatically (may take several minutes for complex files)
4. Processed parts appear in Parts section

5.3.3 Part Configuration

For each part in project:

1. Double-click part to open part details
2. Select material and cutting mode
3. Set quantity required
4. Add operations (see Section 5.4)
5. Add supplementary materials (see Section 5.5)
6. Save part

5.3.4 Project Review

1. Return to project view
2. Review summary showing:
   • Total project cost
   • Total material consumption by type
   • Part count
   • Status of calculations

5.4 Operations

Purpose

Add post-cutting processes (bending, engraving, painting, drilling, etc.) to part costs.

5.4.1 Creating Operations

1. Navigate to Dictionaries → Operations
2. Click Add or New Operation
3. Configure operation:
   • Code (internal reference)
   • Name (e.g., “Bending”, “Engraving”)
   • Units (pieces, cm², m², mm²)
   • Base price
   • Description (optional)
4. For length-based pricing (e.g., bending):
   • Add price ranges
   • Define “From” and “To” length values
   • Set price per unit for each range
5. For area-based pricing (e.g., engraving):
   • Set unit to area measurement
   • System uses closed contour area as quantity
6. Save operation

5.4.2 Adding Operations to Parts

Manual Method:

1. Open part details
2. Select Operations tab
3. Click Add button
4. Select operation from dropdown
5. Enter quantity (if not automatically calculated)
6. Enter price override (if needed)
7. System calculates total

Automatic Method (see Section 5.6):

Configure line types to automatically assign operations based on DXF line styles.

5.4.3 Price Display

System shows two prices:

• Price per piece: Material and cutting only
• Total price: Includes all operations

5.5 Supplementary Materials

Purpose

Add costs for components not part of the main cutting operation (fasteners, packaging, labels, etc.).

Procedure

1. Navigate to Dictionaries → Supplementary Materials
2. Create material entries with:
   • Material name
   • Unit price
   • Unit of measurement
3. In part calculation:
   • Select Additional Materials tab
   • Add supplementary material
   • Enter quantity
   • Cost adds to total automatically

5.6 Automatic Operation Detection (Line Types)

Purpose

Eliminate manual operation entry by configuring DXF line type interpretation.

5.6.1 Line Type Configuration

1. Navigate to Dictionaries → Line Types
2. System displays four standard DXF line types:
   • Continuous (default: cutting)
   • Dashed
   • Dash-dot
   • Dotted
3. For each line type:
   • Select Operation from dropdown (or leave blank)
   • Check Exclude from cutting if line should not contribute to cutting length
   • Save configuration

Example Configuration:

• Continuous: Cutting (not excluded)
• Dashed: Bending (excluded from cutting)
• Dash-dot: Engraving (excluded from cutting)
• Dotted: Painting (not excluded – used for both cutting and painting area)

5.6.2 Preparing DXF Files

In CAD software:

1. Assign appropriate line types to contours based on operation:
   • Cutting lines: Continuous (default)
   • Bend lines: Dashed
   • Engraving areas: Dash-dot
   • Painting outlines: Dotted
2. Export as DXF with line type information preserved
3. Upload to CUTL

Note: Most CAD software exports line colors. Some software (e.g., SOLIDWORKS) also exports explicit line type names. CUTL uses both for detection.

5.6.3 Verification

After file upload:

1. Navigate to Contour Table tab
2. Review Line Type column
3. Verify operations assigned correctly
4. Manually adjust exclusions if needed

5.6.4 Area-Based Operations

For operations measured by area (engraving, painting):

1. Ensure contour is closed in CAD drawing
2. Assign appropriate line type
3. Configure operation with area units (cm², m², mm²)
4. System automatically calculates area and multiplies by unit price

5.6.5 Combining Operations

A single contour can drive multiple operations: Example: Outer contour marked with dotted line

• Not excluded from cutting → Contributes to cutting length
• Assigned to painting operation → Area used for painting cost
• Result: Part is cut and painted using one contour definition

5.7 Price Adjustments

Manual Price Override

1. In part calculation, locate calculated price
2. Click price field or override option
3. Enter new price
4. Indicators show adjustment:
   • Green: Price increased above calculated
   • Red: Price decreased below calculated

Material Price Override

1. In calculation view, locate material price
2. Adjust price as needed
3. Total cost recalculates automatically
4. Override indicator displays

5.8 Quote Generation

5.8.1 PDF Technical Report

1. Open project view
2. Click Export to PDF or equivalent button
3. System generates PDF containing:
   • Project summary table with all parts
   • Indicators for operations and supplementary materials
   • Individual part detail pages
   • Material and cost breakdowns
   • Manual price adjustments highlighted

5.8.2 PDF Commercial Offer

1. Configure organization details:
   • Navigate to Dictionaries → Organizations
   • Enter company name, contact information, VAT rate
2. In project view, select Commercial Offer option
3. Configure:
   • Recipient email (optional)
   • “Send copy to me” checkbox for tracking
4. Generate or send PDF

Commercial offer includes:

• Company header with contact information
• Professional formatting
• Simplified part descriptions
• Pricing without detailed breakdowns

5.8.3 Public Project Sharing

1. Open project
2. Locate Public Link or sharing option
3. Copy generated URL
4. Share URL with customer or colleagues

Public view shows:

• Project summary
• Part list with customer-facing descriptions
• Customer comments (not internal comments)
• Simplified information without detailed cost breakdowns

Privacy: Internal comments remain hidden in public view. Only customer-facing comments display.

5.9 Nesting and Material Optimization

Purpose

Optimize material usage by arranging parts to minimize waste and sheet usage.

When to Use

• Multi-part projects requiring efficient material planning
• Production planning and material ordering
• Cost optimization for sheet materials

Procedure

1. Open project with multiple parts
2. Navigate to nesting or material planning section
3. System automatically arranges parts to minimize waste
4. Review nesting layout
5. Export nesting layouts for production
6. Export material usage reports for procurement

Output

• Visual nesting layout showing part arrangement on sheet
• Material consumption report
• Sheet usage optimization data

Note: Nesting optimization reduces material waste compared to manual arrangement.

5.10 AI Reviewer

Purpose

Automatically detect potential issues in uploaded DXF files before quote generation.

When to Use

• Before generating final quotes
• When file upload produces unexpected results
• For quality assurance of CAD files

Automatic Checks

The AI Reviewer analyzes drawings for:

• Open or overlapping paths: Contours that don’t close properly or intersect incorrectly
• Duplicate contours: Multiple identical lines that inflate cutting length
• Incorrect scaling or unit mismatches: Drawings with wrong dimensions
• Too small internal holes: Features below minimum cutting capability
• Missing closed loops: Non-continuous shapes that should be closed
• Construction lines: Auxiliary geometry that should not be cut

Review Process

1. Upload DXF file to Quick Calculation or Project
2. AI Reviewer automatically scans file
3. System displays summary with:
   • List of detected issues
   • Severity indicators (warning, error)
   • Suggestions for fixes
4. Review warnings before proceeding
5. Fix issues in CAD software if needed
6. Re-upload corrected file

Output

• Issue summary report
• Specific contour or line identification
• Recommended corrections

Important: AI Reviewer does not modify files. It provides guidance only. Corrections must be made in original CAD software.

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6. Workflows & Common Use Cases

Workflow 1: Simple Single-Part Quote

Scenario: Customer requests quote for one laser-cut part. Steps:

1. Receive DXF file from customer
2. Navigate to Quick Calculation
3. Upload DXF file
4. Select material from dropdown
5. Select cutting mode from dropdown (or use default)
6. Review calculated cost
7. Adjust coefficients if needed
8. Provide quote to customer

Time Required: 2-5 minutes after initial setup

Workflow 2: Multi-Part Project with Operations

Scenario: Customer emails request for 10 different parts with specified quantities, requiring both cutting and bending. Steps:

1. Create new project with customer name
2. Upload all DXF files to project (batch upload)
3. Wait for automatic processing (several minutes)
4. For each part:
   1. Open part details
   2. Select material and cutting mode
   3. Enter required quantity
   4. Navigate to Operations tab
   5. Add bending operations (manual or automatic)
   6. Add any supplementary materials
   7. Verify total cost
   8. Save part
5. Return to project view
6. Review total material consumption
7. Review total project cost
8. Generate PDF technical report
9. Generate commercial offer PDF
10. Send to customer via email or public link

Time Required: 10-30 minutes depending on part count and complexity

Workflow 3: Automated Quote with Line Type Detection

Scenario: High-volume shop processing similar parts repeatedly. One-Time Setup:

1. Configure operations (bending, engraving, painting)
2. Configure line types:
   • Dashed → Bending (excluded)
   • Dash-dot → Engraving (excluded)
   • Dotted → Painting (not excluded)
3. Create CAD template with line type standards
4. Train designers on line type usage

Per-Quote Process:

1. Designer prepares DXF with proper line types
2. Upload file to Quick Calculation or Project
3. Select material and cutting mode
4. System automatically:
   • Detects operations from line types
   • Excludes appropriate contours from cutting
   • Calculates operation quantities
   • Generates total cost
5. Review and send quote

Time Required: 1-2 minutes per part after setup

Workflow 4: Customer-Supplied Material

Scenario: Customer provides material; only processing cost needed. Steps:

1. Create material entry with price set to 0
2. In calculation, select customer-supplied material
3. System calculates cutting and operations only
4. Material cost shows as 0 or manual entry field appears
5. Generate quote with processing costs only

Workflow 5: Rush Order Premium Pricing

Scenario: Customer requests expedited delivery. Steps:

1. Calculate part normally
2. Use manual price override to add premium
3. Green indicator shows increased price
4. Generate quote showing final price
5. Internal notes can document premium reason

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7. Best Practices

7.1 Initial Setup

• Complete all dictionaries before first quote: Equipment, materials, cutting modes, operations
• Use realistic machine cost calculations: Include all overhead, not just direct costs
• Test with known parts: Verify calculations against historical quotes before going live
• Set default cutting modes: Assign default mode to each material for faster quoting

7.2 File Preparation

• Always provide vector files: DXF format required
• Clean geometry: Remove duplicate lines, gaps, and overlapping contours in CAD
• Remove non-cutting elements:
  • Title frames and drawing borders
  • Dimension lines and text annotations (unless part of engraving)
  • Construction or auxiliary lines
  • 3D view or projection references
• Break 3D model links: If drawing derived from 3D model, break link and remove service elements
• Use consistent units: Verify drawing units match expected dimensions (mm or inches)
• Close contours: Ensure shapes are properly closed for area-based operations
• Apply line types in CAD: Use line types consistently for automatic operation detection
• DXF version recommendation: Use AutoCAD 2012 (DXF 2010) or earlier if software allows version selection
  • Newer versions supported but complex multi-layer files may not read correctly
  • Earlier versions ensure maximum compatibility

Think of DXF as exact cutting path: Only part contours and holes should remain in file.

7.3 Cost Calculation

• Account for nesting efficiency: Use cutting coefficient for irregular shapes or small batch sizes
• Include piercing time: Essential for accurate quotes on parts with many holes or internal contours
• Consider material waste: Factor in kerf width, edge clearances, and sheet remnants
• Apply complexity coefficients judiciously: Use for documented difficult conditions, not guesswork
• Verify operation quantities: Check automatically calculated bend counts and areas

7.4 Project Management

• Use descriptive project names: Include customer name and date for easy searching
• Maintain internal vs customer comments: Keep sensitive information in internal comments
• Review before sending: Always preview PDF quotes before customer delivery
• Track quote versions: Use project system to maintain quote history

7.5 Line Type Automation

• Establish CAD standards: Document which line types represent which operations
• Train all CAD users: Ensure consistent line type application across team
• Test new templates: Verify automatic detection before production use
• Keep line type mapping simple: Avoid complex or ambiguous assignments
• Document exceptions: Note when manual override is required

7.6 Performance Optimization

• Pre-fill material price lists: Avoid manual entry on every quote
• Create operation templates: Set up common operation combinations
• Use batch file upload: Process multiple parts simultaneously in projects
• Organize dictionary entries: Use clear naming conventions for easy searching

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8. Integration and Embedding

8.1 Embeddable Widget

Purpose

Allow customers to upload parts and receive instant quotes directly from your website.

Integration Methods

Option 1: Iframe Embed

<iframe 
  src="https://cutl.online/widget" 
  width="400" 
  height="600" 
  frameborder="0">
</iframe>

Option 2: Button Add clickable button linking to widget. Option 3: Direct Link Provide direct URL to widget page.

Features

• Seamless integration into any website or CMS
• Automatically inherits website color theme
• Customers can upload files and receive quotes without CUTL account
• Results can be saved or shared

Configuration

1. Contact CUTL support for widget access
2. Receive widget URL and customization options
3. Add code to website
4. Test functionality
5. Monitor quote requests through CUTL dashboard

Use Case: Allow website visitors to get instant quotes without leaving your site, improving conversion rates.

8.2 API Integration

Purpose

Connect external systems to CUTL for automated quoting, material sync, or project management.

Request API Access

1. Contact CUTL team at info@cutl.online
2. Describe integration use case
3. Receive approval and access

Token Management

After approval:

1. Navigate to User → Integration
2. Generate personal API access token
3. Store token securely
4. Use token in API request headers for authentication

API Capabilities

• Automated quote generation
• Material price synchronization
• Project creation and management
• File upload and processing
• Quote retrieval

Security: API tokens provide full account access. Keep tokens secure and never share publicly. Documentation: API documentation provided upon access approval.

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9. Troubleshooting

Issue: File Upload Fails or Processing Times Out

Symptoms:

• Upload button does nothing
• Processing stalls indefinitely
• Error message on upload

Causes:

• File format not supported (must be DXF)
• Corrupted or invalid CAD file
• Extremely complex geometry (thousands of entities)
• Large file size

Solutions:

1. Verify file format is DXF with correct extension
2. Re-export from CAD software with:
   • Simplified geometry
   • Removed construction lines and dimensions
   • Clean layer structure
3. Split very complex files into multiple parts
4. Check file size (very large files may need processing time)
5. Try uploading from different browser or network

Note: If calculation takes longer than 5 minutes, you will receive an email notification when processing completes.

Issue: Cutting Length Calculation Appears Incorrect

Symptoms:

• Cutting length much longer or shorter than expected
• Part dimensions don’t match drawing

Causes:

• Wrong drawing units in CAD file
• Duplicate or overlapping lines
• Unclosed contours counted as separate cuts
• Contours excluded unintentionally

Solutions:

1. Review Contour Table tab:
   • Check individual contour lengths
   • Verify exclusion checkboxes
   • Identify duplicate contours
2. Check drawing units in CAD software
3. Re-export DXF with clean geometry
4. Manually exclude unwanted contours using Contour Table

Issue: Operations Not Detected Automatically

Symptoms:

• Line types configured but operations not added
• Bend lines not recognized
• Contours not excluded as expected

Causes:

• Line type information not exported from CAD
• Incorrect line type assignment in drawing
• Line type mapping not configured in CUTL
• CAD software doesn’t support line type export

Solutions:

1. Verify line type configuration in Dictionaries → Line Types
2. Check CAD export settings:
   • Ensure line type information is exported
   • Try exporting as different DXF version
3. Review Contour Table to see detected line types
4. If CAD doesn’t support line types, use color-based detection or manual operation entry
5. Test with known-good DXF file to verify system configuration

Issue: Price Calculation Seems Too High or Low

Symptoms:

• Quote significantly differs from expected cost
• Inconsistent pricing across similar parts

Causes:

• Incorrect cutting mode selected
• Wrong material price
• Piercing cost not configured
• Coefficients set incorrectly
• Operations added unintentionally

Solutions:

1. Review calculation breakdown:
   • Verify material selection and price
   • Check cutting mode rates
   • Review operation quantities
   • Check coefficient values
2. Compare to manual calculation using formulas in Section 4.3
3. Verify cutting mode configuration includes realistic piercing cost
4. Check Operations tab for unexpected entries
5. Use Contour Table to verify contour count (affects piercing)

Issue: PDF Generation Fails

Symptoms:

• PDF export button does nothing
• Partial or blank PDF generated
• Error message on export

Causes:

• Browser popup blocker enabled
• Incomplete part configurations
• Network connectivity issue
• Session timeout

Solutions:

1. Allow popups from cutl.online in browser settings
2. Verify all parts have:
   • Material selected
   • Cutting mode selected
   • Quantities set
3. Save project before exporting
4. Try different browser
5. Log out and log back in

Issue: Public Link Not Working

Symptoms:

• Link shows error or blank page
• Customer reports unable to access

Causes:

• Project not saved
• Link copied incorrectly
• Project deleted or moved
• Access permissions issue

Solutions:

1. Verify project is saved
2. Generate new public link
3. Copy full URL including all parameters
4. Test link in incognito/private browser window
5. Confirm project still exists in project list

Issue: Geometry Error Message

Symptoms:

• “Geometry error” or similar message displayed
• File processed but results appear incorrect

Causes:

• Open paths (unclosed contours)
• Overlapping paths
• Self-intersecting geometry
• Invalid CAD entities

Solutions:

1. Use AI Reviewer to identify specific issues
2. Open file in CAD software
3. Check for and fix:
   • Unclosed contours (ensure all shapes close properly)
   • Overlapping or duplicate lines
   • Construction lines not removed
   • Invalid geometry
4. Re-export as clean DXF
5. Re-upload to CUTL

Prevention: Always use AI Reviewer before finalizing quotes.

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10. Limitations & Constraints

File Processing Limitations

• DXF format only: System requires DXF files. JPEG, PDF, PNG, and other formats cannot be processed.
• Complex geometry: Files with thousands of entities may experience long processing times or require simplification.
• 3D models: System extracts 2D contours only. Full 3D machining not supported.

Line Type Detection

• CAD software dependency: Automatic operation detection requires CAD software that exports line type or color information.
• Standard line types only: System recognizes continuous, dashed, dash-dot, and dotted. Custom line types may not be detected.
• Manual verification recommended: Always review detected operations before finalizing quote.

Calculation Constraints

• Static pricing: Material prices and cutting rates are manually configured. Live market pricing not supported.
• Nesting not performed: System calculates part area but does not generate optimal nesting layouts. Material waste must be estimated using cutting coefficient.
• Standard operations: Complex multi-step processes may require combining multiple operations or custom pricing methods.

Integration Limitations

• Manual ERP/CRM sync: System exports XML for integration but does not provide live two-way sync with external systems.
• No machine control: CUTL provides cost estimation only. It does not generate G-code or control cutting equipment.

Collaboration Constraints

• Public link view only: Shared links provide read-only access. External users cannot edit or submit changes.
• Single organization: Projects and data are isolated to individual accounts. Multi-company workflows require separate accounts.

Reporting

• PDF export only: Quote generation limited to PDF format. Direct HTML or Word export not available.
• Fixed templates: PDF layout uses standard template. Custom branding limited to organization name and contact information.

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11. FAQ

General

Q: Do I need to install software to use CUTL? A: No. CUTL is cloud-based and runs entirely in a web browser. No installation required. Q: What file formats does CUTL accept? A: DXF (Drawing Exchange Format) only. Q: Can I use CUTL offline? A: No. An internet connection is required as CUTL is a cloud-based service. Q: Is there a file size limit? A: Not specified in source material. Extremely large or complex files may experience longer processing times.

Pricing & Costs

Q: How are material prices set? A: You manually configure material prices in the Materials dictionary. Prices can be set per square meter or left at zero for manual entry per quote. Q: How do I calculate the cost per meter for cutting? A: Use the formula: (Seconds per meter ÷ 60) × Cost per minute. Calculate cost per minute from your total monthly overhead divided by available cutting hours. See Section 4.3 for detailed procedure. Q: Why do two parts with the same cutting length have different costs? A: Piercing time significantly impacts total cost. A part with many small contours requires more piercings, adding seconds per contour. A part with one long contour has minimal piercing time. Q: Can CUTL account for material waste from nesting? A: Not automatically. Use the cutting coefficient to multiply the part area by a factor (e.g., 1.3 for 30% waste) to account for inefficient material usage.

Operations & Features

Q: What is the difference between Quick Calculation and Projects? A: Quick Calculation is for single parts with fast quoting. Projects handle multiple parts, track quantities, manage operations, and provide consolidated material planning and professional quotes. Q: How do I add bending costs to a part? A: Create a bending operation in Dictionaries → Operations with length-based pricing. Then either manually add the operation in the part’s Operations tab or configure automatic detection using line types. Q: Can one contour be used for both cutting and painting? A: Yes. Assign the contour’s line type to a painting operation but do NOT check “Exclude from cutting.” The contour will contribute to both cutting length and painting area calculations. Q: What happens if I don’t exclude bend lines from cutting? A: Bend lines will be included in the cutting length calculation, inflating the cutting cost incorrectly. Always exclude operation lines that should not be cut.

File Preparation

Q: How should I prepare DXF files for automatic operation detection? A: Assign line types in your CAD software consistently: continuous for cutting, dashed for bending, dash-dot for engraving, dotted for painting. Configure matching line type assignments in CUTL. Export DXF with line type information preserved. Q: Why aren’t my line types detected? A: Some CAD software does not export line type metadata. Verify export settings include line types. Alternatively, use color-based detection or manually add operations. See Troubleshooting section 8. Q: Can I upload PDF drawings? A: No. PDF is not a vector format accepted by CUTL. Convert PDF to DXF in CAD software before uploading.

Quoting & Sharing

Q: How do I send a quote to a customer? A: Generate a commercial offer PDF and either download it or send directly via email from CUTL. Alternatively, share a public project link for online viewing. Q: What’s the difference between a technical report and a commercial offer? A: A technical report includes full cost breakdowns, operations, and internal details. A commercial offer provides simplified, customer-facing information with company branding. Q: Can customers edit the shared project link? A: No. Public links are read-only. Customers can view the quote but cannot make changes. Q: How do I track multiple quote versions for one customer? A: Use the project system. Create separate projects or duplicate existing projects for different versions. Use project names to indicate version or date.

Setup & Configuration

Q: What information do I need before setting up CUTL? A: You need your machine costs (monthly overhead, available cutting hours), material price list, and typical cutting parameters (time per meter, time per piercing) for each material and thickness combination. See Section 4.3. Q: Can I import material prices from a spreadsheet? A: Not specified in source material. Manual entry in Materials dictionary appears to be the standard method. Q: Do I need to configure everything before making a quote? A: You need at minimum: one equipment entry, one material, and one cutting mode. Operations, supplementary materials, and line types can be added as needed later. Q: Can I use the same CUTL account for multiple workshops? A: Not specified in source material. Data appears to be isolated per account. Multiple locations may require separate accounts or organizational structure. Q: Do I need special software to use CUTL? A: No. CUTL runs entirely in your web browser with no plugins or installations required. Q: Is my data secure? A: Yes. All projects are stored in secure cloud infrastructure with encrypted connections. Q: Why is my quote taking longer than usual? A: Large or complex DXF files with many contours require additional processing time. If calculation takes longer than 5 minutes, you will receive an email notification when complete. Q: What does a geometry error mean? A: Geometry errors indicate open paths, overlapping lines, or invalid CAD entities. Use the AI Reviewer to identify issues, clean your drawing in CAD software, and re-upload. Q: Can I add custom materials or operations? A: Yes. Navigate to Dictionaries → Materials or Dictionaries → Operations to create custom entries. Q: How do I share a quote with a customer? A: Use the public share link for online viewing or generate and email a Commercial Offer PDF directly from the project. Q: Can I embed CUTL on my website? A: Yes. CUTL provides an embeddable widget. Contact info@cutl.online for access and integration instructions. Q: Is API access available? A: Yes. Contact info@cutl.online to request API access for automated integrations with external systems.

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12. Support and Contact

For assistance, contact CUTL support at: Email: info@cutl.online Website: https://cutl.online Support team available to help with:

• Technical issues
• Account setup
• Feature questions
• Integration requests
• Custom requirements

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Appendix: Cost Calculation Formulas

Basic Part Cost

Total Cost = Material Cost + Cutting Cost + Piercing Cost + Operations Cost + Supplementary Materials Cost

Material Cost

Material Cost = Part Area (m²) × Material Price (per m²) × Cutting Coefficient

Cutting Cost

Cutting Cost = Cutting Length (m) × Cost per Meter × Complexity Coefficient

Piercing Cost

Piercing Cost = Number of Contours × Cost per Piercing

Cost Per Minute (Machine Time)

Cost Per Minute = (Monthly Overhead ÷ Available Cutting Hours per Month) ÷ 60

Where:
Monthly Overhead = Operator Salaries + Machine Depreciation + Facility Costs
Available Cutting Hours = Working Days × Shift Hours × Productive Time Percentage

Cost Per Meter

Cost Per Meter = (Seconds Per Meter ÷ 60) × Cost Per Minute

Cost Per Piercing

Cost Per Piercing = (Seconds Per Piercing ÷ 60) × Cost Per Minute