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STEP → CNC QUOTE

Use the STEP model as a structured starting point for a CNC quote

Kostira reads part geometry from STEP and combines it with the materials and processes defined by your shop. The estimator reviews the editable result before it becomes a customer quote.

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Open beta · no card · the app interface is in English

The real Kostira quote editor with a synthetic part, material, stock, processes and costs
The real Kostira interface shown with a quote and geometry created entirely from synthetic data. No customer file or customer data appears in this screenshot.
Author: Kostira team Reviewed by: Kostira product team Updated:

What STEP file quoting means

STEP file quoting uses a 3D solid model as a source of geometric data for an estimate. In Kostira, geometry is one input among several: stock choice, process planning, machine rates and the estimator’s interpretation all contribute to the price.

How a STEP file becomes a quote: exact B-rep geometry, then bounding box and features, stock and material, a process time model, and finally an editable quote
What happens to a STEP file: exact B-rep in, geometry and features read out, stock and material derived, time modelled per process, editable quote out.

The workflow

For your first trial, choose one part you have already quoted. Keep its drawing and your existing estimate alongside the STEP file. Set the workspace currency, check your material price and machine rate, then compare the editable result with your own assumptions. This makes disagreements in stock, operations or time easier to spot.

1. Add the part model

The user uploads a STEP file in the browser application. Only upload models you are authorized to process, and remove customer names or project references from filenames when they are not needed.

2. Build on the geometry

Kostira reads the model and uses its geometry to prepare inputs for the estimate. This reduces some manual transfer of data, but it does not turn CAD into a complete manufacturing plan.

3. Apply shop-specific assumptions

Material, operations, hours and rates must reflect the shop that will make the part. The user reviews and edits them to account for tolerances, workholding, inspection and requirements that sit outside the solid model.

4. Review and export

Once the assumptions have been checked, the cost breakdown can support a PDF quote or XLSX export. The person sending the quote remains responsible for the final price and scope.

Compare the workflow with your current method

Use the CNC quoting software evaluation checklist to test one previously quoted part, change the batch quantity and reconcile the export. Record any corrections so that matching totals do not hide different assumptions.

What a STEP file cannot decide by itself

A STEP model normally does not include supplier availability, current purchasing terms, required tooling, machine loading or every note from the drawing. Kostira therefore does not present geometry as a guarantee of cost, manufacturability or delivery.

For a transparent comparison, use the worked batch-cost example in our CNC quoting guide. It separates setup from per-part cost and shows how quantity changes the unit cost under explicit assumptions.

See the full how-it-works guide, read about CNC machining cost estimation, and review security guidance for CAD files.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Which STEP file extensions does Kostira accept?
The current workflow accepts files with the .stp or .step extension.
Can I try STEP quoting for free?
Yes. Create a free open-beta account without a payment card, set up your shop, and upload a STEP file. Review the starter rates, material and machining assumptions before using the result.
Can I quote in my shop’s currency?
Choose PLN, EUR, USD, GBP, CZK, MXN or CAD when setting up your workspace. Starter prices and rates are examples to review, not live market prices.
How does Kostira use a STEP model?
Model geometry provides an input to the estimate, while material, processes, hours and rates are reviewed and edited for the shop.
Is a STEP file enough to produce a final quote?
No. Drawings, tolerances, quality requirements, material availability and manufacturing judgment can contain information that the STEP model does not resolve.
How should I check an estimate from a STEP file?
Use a part your shop has already quoted. Compare purchased stock, operation sequence, setup, cycle time and rates line by line with your existing estimate. Correct the assumptions before comparing totals or exporting a quote.
Does Kostira guarantee a quote accuracy percentage?
No validated accuracy percentage is published. A useful estimate depends on the drawing, shop rates, manufacturing assumptions and the estimator’s review; a successful model import is not proof of an accurate quote.