Laser-cutting companies face a unique challenge in delivering quotes. Every job requires precise calculations based on material usage, cutting time, and machine configuration.

Manual pricing workflows can slow operations and increase the risk of errors.

Smidyo partnered with Convert_ to solve this challenge. The companies collaborated to build a custom API integration that automates laser-cutting quoting directly on customer websites.

The result was a reliable quoting system that allows laser-cutting businesses to generate accurate online quotes instantly while maintaining full control over their pricing models.

Background

Smidyo was co-founded by Frank Sandqvist to provide laser-cutting businesses with specialized quoting solutions.

Laser-cutting pricing is highly complex and varies widely depending on factors such as:

• Material type

• Material thickness

• Machine cutting speed

• Geometry of the design

• Processing time

Because of these variables, generic quoting tools often fail to provide accurate pricing for laser-cutting operations.

Smidyo developed a platform specifically designed to help businesses calculate and deliver accurate quotes. However, despite a dedicated team and early investment, the platform struggled to achieve sustainable market traction and was eventually discontinued.

This left many laser-cutting businesses searching for a new solution.

Challenge: Maintaining Accurate Laser-Cutting Quotes

Smidyo’s customers relied on the platform to generate accurate website quotes for laser-cutting jobs. When the platform closed, those businesses faced a major operational risk.

They needed a system that could continue performing complex calculations automatically while allowing customers to request quotes directly through their websites.

The new solution needed to:

• Allow customers to upload cutting designs

• Calculate material usage and cutting time

• Process these values through pricing formulas

• Deliver accurate quotes automatically

Industry-specific quoting software is essential in manufacturing sectors like laser cutting.

Without automation, businesses often rely on manual calculations that can slow quoting workflows and introduce errors.

Solution: A Custom Laser-Cutting API With Convert_

Frank began searching for a platform that could support the complex requirements of laser-cutting pricing. After connecting with Bas Hennephof, co-founder of Convert_, they identified an opportunity to collaborate.

Together, the teams designed a custom API integration. This allowed laser-cutting calculations to be processed externally and then returned to Convert_ for final pricing calculations.

The system works as follows:

1. A customer uploads a design or drawing for laser cutting.

2. The API analyzes the design to determine material requirements and cutting time.

3. The API sends this data back to a Convert_ price quote calculator.

4. Convert_ applies pricing logic and generates a quote.

Frank explained the importance of this process:

Our API tells Convert_ how much material is needed and how long it will take to cut. That allows the platform to calculate accurate quotes. The integration was crucial for our customers who rely on precision.

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Creating a Dynamic Quoting Experience

One of the strengths of Convert_ is its ability to incorporate API responses into both calculations and user interactions. Instead of simply using the API for background calculations, the platform can also generate dynamic follow-up questions based on user input.

This capability helps businesses build quoting flows that adapt in real-time.

Customers can move through an interactive process where the questions, calculations, and outputs evolve based on the information provided.

The result is a quoting experience that is both:

• Technically accurate

• User-friendly for customers

Check out the Convert_ calculator quote form that connects to the Smidyo API below, or add the laser shop pricing template to your website, like in the video above:

Migrating Smidyo Customers to Convert_

Once the integration was developed, Smidyo and Convert_ worked together to migrate existing customers to the new system. The goal was to ensure that businesses relying on automated quoting could continue operating without disruption.

Smidyo communicated with its customers and supported the transition process.

Frank described the migration effort:

We connected with Convert_, and within a short period, we had our customers move over and use the new system without major issues. It was important that they didn’t feel abandoned.

By transferring customers to a stable platform with a tailored integration, the partnership ensured continuity for companies relying on automated quoting tools.

Results: Reliable Quoting for Laser-Cutting Businesses

Since the migration, Smidyo’s former customers have continued to use the Convert_ platform combined with the custom laser-cutting API. The integration provides several operational advantages.

Accurate Laser-Cutting Calculations

Material usage and cutting time calculations are handled automatically through the API, ensuring precision for each job.

Efficient Online Quoting

Customers can generate quotes directly through the website without manual intervention from the business.

Flexible Pricing Models

Businesses can adjust pricing rules and formulas within Convert_, allowing them to maintain control over their quoting structure.

Scalable Quoting Infrastructure

The system can handle large volumes of quoting requests without requiring additional manual work.

Frank summarized the impact of the integration:

Our customers can now generate accurate quotes quickly and efficiently. It saves time and improves customer satisfaction.

Expanding to Other Manufacturing Industries

The collaboration between Smidyo and Convert_ has also opened the door to new possibilities.

The same integration model can be applied to other manufacturing sectors where quoting complexity is high.

Potential applications include:

• 3D printing services

• Waterjet cutting

• CNC routing

• Vinyl cutting

• Other fabrication workflows

Combining industry-specific APIs with Convert_ interactive calculators helps manufacturers automate complex quoting processes across many industries.

We're excited about the potential to expand into other areas. The flexibility of Convert_ allows us to tailor solutions for different industries effectively.

What This Means for Laser-Cutting Businesses

Laser-cutting companies often struggle with quoting workflows because each job involves detailed technical calculations.

Manual quoting slows response times and limits scalability.

Automated quoting systems built with Convert_ allow businesses to:

• Deliver instant quotes online

• Reduce manual calculations

• Improve quoting accuracy

• Handle higher volumes of customer requests

For manufacturing companies dealing with complex pricing variables, this kind of automation can significantly improve operational efficiency.

Teaming up with Convert_ has been a game-changer for our customers. It’s provided them with a seamless transition and a powerful tool to continue their business operations smoothly.

Ready to Automate Your Quoting Process?

If your business relies on complex pricing calculations, interactive quote calculators can simplify your workflow and improve customer experience.

With Convert_, you can:

• Build automated quoting calculators

• Integrate external APIs for industry-specific calculations

• Deliver accurate quotes directly through your website

• Scale quoting without increasing manual workload

Start your free plan today and explore how Convert_ can help automate complex pricing and quoting workflows.