3D robotics configurator recap

Industry and problem

I built a real time 3D configurator for an industrial robotics manufacturer. Sales needed to assemble robot cells on screen, see the layout, and get a bill of materials, a CAD file used by engineers, and a price in one flow.

Their older process used spreadsheets, static drawings, and many back and forth emails. They wanted fewer errors and a faster quote that still matched engineering rules.

Constraints

• Runs in a browser with no plugins.
• Updates the 3D scene instantly as parts change, with exact sizes and clear overlap checks.
• Follows strict compatibility rules from engineering.
• Produces consistent outputs on demand, including a BOM list, a CAD file request, and a shareable quote.
• Protects internal costs and supplier data.

My approach

I separated the system into a parts library, a rules engine, a viewer, and outputs. The parts library held every component with dimensions, mount points, and pricing fields, and the rules engine checked fit, safety, and vendor limits before any output.

The viewer showed an interactive model you could rotate and zoom, and users picked from guided menus instead of a blank canvas. When a configuration passed the rules, the tool built the BOM and price from the same source of truth and then generated the files, while heavy data and pricing math stayed on the server.

What I learned

• Design the BOM first. The 3D view is a window into that data.
• Keep rules in plain language so non developers can maintain them.
• Preload common assemblies to keep the first interaction fast.
• Store sensitive numbers and logic on the server, not in the browser.
• Make it simple to save, return, and start over.

Try this next week

• List five common configurations your team quotes. Turn each into a template.
• Write ten rules that prevent bad orders. Use short sentences anyone can test.
• Agree on the outputs you need today. BOM list, CAD file, and a price.
• Sketch the steps on paper. Remove one step that does not add value.
• Pick one product as a pilot and set a short trial period to learn.

How I can help

I design and build configurators and quoting tools through Custom Development > Applications. If you need a quick example of guided quoting, my Website quote configurator shows how a configurable spec and instant quote can work.