Get fabrication quote
get_fabrication_quoteGet ranked, purchasable offers (price, ETA, preview image) for fabricating a physical item from a design file. process=fdm_print for 3D printing a model (STL/OBJ/PLY/3MF/AMF/STEP/IGES), process=cnc or process=sheetmetal for machined/bent metal parts (STEP, IGES, DXF), process=decal for stickers/decals from artwork (any common image or design file — PNG/JPG/HEIC/TIFF/GIF/BMP/WEBP/AVIF/SVG/PDF/AI/EPS/PSD/CDR, auto-converted). A .ufp file (UFP part container: the design plus saved spec/constraints in one) is accepted anywhere a design file is — its saved intent applies automatically and anything the user states now wins. If the user just drops a file and asks for a price, omit process — UFP routes it. Provide the design either as design_file (an image/file the user attached or you generated — preferred) or file_url (a public URL). REORDERS: if the user has a UFP part number (from a receipt email or a previous session, looks like UFP-… or part_…), pass it as part_number INSTEAD of any file — the stored design and spec are reused and re-shopped across all current vendors. Locked parts additionally require share_key (from the owner's share link). Returns offers across vendors like Google Flights returns flights.
Input Schema
TableJSON Schema
| Name | Required | Description | Default |
|---|---|---|---|
| cut | No | Decal cut style — pass the user's words verbatim ("triangle", "die cut", "circle"). Known: contour|square|oval|kiss_cut; anything else gets closest-match offers with a substitution note. Omit to compare the main options | |
| size | No | Print size — pass the user's words verbatim ("letter", "24x36", "half letter"). Cards are 3.5x2; flyers 8.5x5.5|8.5x11|11x17; posters 12x18 through 36x48. Unknown sizes get closest-match offers | |
| bends | No | Sheet-metal bend lines, each as TWO POINTS in the part's own mm frame (flat DXF parts use z=0: a bend from (0,12.7) to (76.2,12.7) is p1 [0,12.7,0], p2 [76.2,12.7,0]). angle_deg is the target bend angle (90 = a right-angle flange), direction "up"/"down" is the fold direction relative to the flat pattern, radius_mm the requested inside radius (omit it — the shop resolves to its tooling and reports what it used). Pass these when the user articulates WHERE the bends go; a bare "it has 2 bends" is bend_count, not this. | |
| color | No | ONLY a color the user actually asked for — NEVER pick one for them. fdm_print: Filament color for fdm_print (e.g. black, red); resin_print: Resin color for resin_print (e.g. gray, white, black); powder_print: Powder part color: raw gray/white, or a dye ("black", "dark blue") — vendor-resolved; elastomer_print: Elastomer part color — VCJ parts ship raw; asks resolve with an honest substitution note; cnc: Colour for cnc: with finish anodized it is the anodize colour, otherwise the stock's own colour (black Delrin, clear acrylic). Colour WORDS only; each maker resolves the shade and says what it landed on; laser_cut: Colour of the flat stock for laser_cut (black, clear, natural…). Colour WORDS only; each maker quotes the materials it stocks in that colour and drops the ones that cannot be it; print: Print color ask ("full color", "black and white"). Vendors that only price full color note the substitution; apparel: Garment color for apparel ("black", "heather gray") — vendor-resolved | |
| paper | No | Paper stock — free-form ("matte", "glossy", "recycled", "14pt"). Resolved to the closest stock the vendor runs | |
| sides | No | single|double sided printing (defaults: cards double, flyers/posters single) | |
| units | No | sheetmetal: DXF drawing units: "mm" (default) or "in". STEP files carry their own units; laser_cut: DXF drawing units: "mm" (default) or "in" | |
| finish | No | cnc: CNC surface finish: standard|anodized|polished|bead_blasted (default standard); sheetmetal: as_cut (default) | deburred | anodized | powder_coat — anodized is aluminum-only; powder coat protects mild steel for outdoor use | |
| inserts | No | PEM-style hardware inserts pressed into holes of a sheet-metal part — one record per hole. `insert` is the species (nut | flush_nut | standoff | blind_standoff | stud) and `thread` its size ("M4", "1/4-20"); both are required. When known, add length_mm (standoff/stud post length), the hole's center (located_at_mm, part's own mm frame), its axis, the drilled diameter, and `points` — the signed unit vector the insert's functional side faces (flip = negate). Pass these when the user asks for press-in nuts/standoffs/studs; vendors with a hardware service price them. | |
| process | No | What to fabricate. If the user just drops a file and asks for a price, OMIT this — UFP detects the file type (artwork, mesh — STL/OBJ/PLY/3MF/AMF, BREP — STEP/IGES, DXF) and routes it to every process that can make it; the response's routing.also_possible lists processes UFP can't quote yet | |
| product | No | print: Print product kind: business_cards|flyers|posters. Omit to quote every kind the artwork fits; apparel: apparel: t_shirt|hoodie|long_sleeve|tank_top (free-form — "tee", "crewneck" resolve to the closest product) | |
| shore_a | No | Numeric Shore A durometer ask (10-95, e.g. 40). Resolved to the NEAREST stocked durometer with a substitution note — never a silent swap | |
| tapping | No | Tapped (threaded) holes for a sheet-metal part — one record per hole the user wants threads cut into. `thread` is the callout in the user's words ("M6", "M4 x 0.7", "1/4-20") and is all that's required; when known, add the hole's center in the part's own mm frame (located_at_mm), its unit axis, the pre-tap drilled diameter, and depth_mm so the shop taps the right hole. Pass these when the user asks for threaded/tapped holes; vendors with a tapping service price them. | |
| vendors | No | Only these specific vendors/makers ("just quote Slant 3D") — an INCLUDE list of vendor names as they appear on offers. Friendly names accepted ("A3D", "slant 3d"); unmatched names are reported, never an error. Usually OMIT: pass it only when the user explicitly names the vendors they want | |
| callouts | No | Dimensions you read off the user's drawing that matter ("hole_diameter 6.5mm ±0.1"). The tightest tolerance prunes vendors that cannot hold it. | |
| deadline | No | Latest acceptable delivery date, ISO YYYY-MM-DD | |
| file_url | No | Public URL of the design file — only when the design lives at a URL | |
| material | No | ONLY a material the user actually asked for — NEVER guess or default one (a silent "pla" on a bare file drop prunes every maker that does not stock it; OMIT instead and each process quotes across its stocked materials so every maker can bid). fdm_print: pla|petg|asa (free-form — "abs", "polycarbonate" asks resolve to the closest stocked filament with a substitution note); resin_print: standard|tough|high_temp|high_detail resin (free-form asks resolve to the closest supported resin); powder_print: Powder-bed nylon: nylon_12|nylon_12_smooth|nylon_11|nylon_12_gf|nylon_12_esd|nylon_12_white|nylon_pa2200|nylon_12_sls|tpu (free-form — "PA12", "glass filled" resolve to the closest stocked powder); elastomer_print: Jetted elastomer: tepu_30a|tepu_50a (free-form — "TPU", "soft rubber" resolve to the closest stocked durometer); cnc: aluminum_6061|aluminum_7075|stainless_304|titanium|brass|acetal|delrin|abs|nylon_pa6|peek|acrylic (free-form asks resolve to the closest supported stock); sheetmetal: mild_steel|aluminum_5052|stainless_304 (free-form — "steel", "5052", "stainless" resolve; unknown asks get closest-match offers). Omit to compare the defaults; laser_cut: acrylic|plywood|mdf|delrin|uhmw|hdpe|g10|carbon_fiber|mild_steel|aluminum_5052|stainless_304 (free-form — "plexiglass", "birch" resolve; unknown asks get closest-match offers); decal: vinyl|holographic|transparent|glitter (free-form — "chrome" etc. gets closest matches) | |
| width_in | No | Decal width in inches (default 3) | |
| food_safe | No | Must be vendor-certified food safe | |
| height_in | No | Decal height in inches (default 3) | |
| high_temp | No | Must tolerate sustained heat (vendor heat-resistance claim) | |
| placement | No | Print placement for apparel: front (default) | back | front_back | |
| processes | No | Only quote these fabrication processes — a constraint that narrows the auto-routing fan. Friendly terms accepted ("sheet metal", "3d printing", "cnc", "laser"); unmappable terms are reported, never an error. Usually OMIT: auto-routing quotes every process that can make the file. Pass it only when the user explicitly limits the process | |
| share_key | No | Share key for a LOCKED part — the k=… value from the owner's share link (…/part/UFP-…?k=KEY). Required with part_number when the part is locked; omit otherwise | |
| bend_count | No | Number of bends in the design (bend lines must be in the file). Prices CNC bending; omit for flat parts | |
| quantities | No | Quantities the user actually wants — pass [1] or [2] if that's the ask. Vendors with a higher minimum quote AT their minimum and the offer notes it (requested_quantity). Default: 25 for decals, 1 for prints; a part_number reorder defaults to the quantity last purchased | |
| ships_from | No | Only vendors that ship from these countries/regions ("only US vendors", "keep it domestic") — an INCLUDE list. Friendly terms accepted ("US", "Europe", "Germany", "China", "UK"); unmappable terms are reported, never an error. Vendors whose origin is unknown or whose network is worldwide (origin not guaranteed) are excluded, each with a note saying why. Usually OMIT: pass it only when the user explicitly limits where vendors ship from | |
| design_file | No | The design file itself (user-attached or generated image/STL). ChatGPT supplies the file reference automatically when the user attached a file — just bind the attachment here. Other clients may pass a data: URL (base64) or a public https URL string. Preferred over file_url. | |
| metal_alloy | No | Metal AM alloy: stainless_316l|stainless_17_4ph|titanium_ti64|aluminum_alsi10mg|inconel_718|cobalt_chrome|tool_steel_h13|copper (free-form asks like "Ti-6Al-4V" resolve to the closest stocked powder) | |
| part_number | No | UFP part number from a previous paid order (UFP-… or part_…). Reorders: replaces design_file/file_url entirely; any other fields provided override the stored spec | |
| ship_to_zip | No | Destination US ZIP code, exactly as the user stated it. OMIT if the user has not given one — NEVER guess or invent a ZIP. Without it, prices come back all-in with shipping to an assumed central-US destination, flagged on routing.ship_to | |
| submersible | No | Must survive submersion in water | |
| metal_finish | No | Metal AM post-processing: as_printed|bead_blast|machined_critical|polished|heat_treated (as_printed keeps support witness marks) | |
| requirements | No | Verbatim context terms from the user — materials, finishes, certifications, tolerances ("UV resistant", "anodized: red", "iso 13485", "tolerance: 0.1mm"). UFP applies what it can and reports what it could not; unresolvable terms are logged for vendor sourcing. Do not interrogate the user to fill this — pass what they said. | |
| thickness_in | No | sheetmetal: Sheet thickness in inches (e.g. 0.063 = 14 ga aluminum). Quoted at the nearest stocked thickness; omit for ~16 ga default; laser_cut: Nominal thickness in inches; quoted at the vendor's nearest stocked thickness. Omit for the material's common stock | |
| outdoor_rated | No | Must survive outdoor exposure | |
| powder_finish | No | Powder post-processing: as_printed (raw powder surface) | vapor_polished | polished | |
| max_budget_usd | No | Hard budget cap in USD, all-in | |
| attachment_urls | No | Additional files for the SAME part — the PDF drawing next to the STEP, spec sheets, BOMs. Pass everything the user gave you; UFP works out which file is the part and which are supporting documents. | |
| elastomer_finish | No | Elastomer post-processing: as_printed (VCJ parts ship raw — the whole lane today) | |
| metal_technology | No | Metal AM process: laser_powder_bed (SLM/DMLS/LPBF)|binder_jet|ebm. Omit to let the vendor pick its default for the alloy | |
| min_vendor_stars | No | Only vendors whose displayed review rating is at least this many stars (1-5). Vendors with no reviews yet are excluded — the filter demands demonstrated quality | |
| powder_technology | No | Powder process: mjf (HP Multi Jet Fusion) | sls (laser sintering). Omit to let the vendor pick its default lane for the material | |
| min_vendor_reviews | No | Only vendors with at least this many verified-purchase reviews | |
| proven_spec_orders | No | Only vendors with at least N completed orders for this exact process+material — "a vendor that prints PC reliably" | |
| elastomer_technology | No | Elastomer process: vapor_cure_jetting (VCJ). Omit to let the vendor pick its default lane for the material |