MechanoFab

Use when the user provides a part volume and material to calculate mass or weight. Returns mass in grams and kilograms. Example: 'How heavy is a 100cm³ aluminum 6061 part?'

Use when the user asks 'can the Bambu X1C print a 400mm × 400mm × 400mm part?', 'does this machine support 25 micron layer thickness?', 'is this machine capable for this part?'. Returns capable/not-capable with specific gaps.

Use when the user describes an operating environment (temperature, humidity, UV, chemicals) and wants to know if a material is suitable. Returns a compatibility rating (excellent/good/fair/poor) and specific risk factors.

Use when the user specifies an operating temperature and asks if a material is suitable (e.g. 'can ABS handle 80°C?', 'what is the max temp for 6061 aluminum?'). Returns within_range status, min/max service temps, and safety margin.

Use when the user specifies material requirements (e.g. 'density < 3 g/cm³', 'tensile > 400 MPa', 'max temp ≥ 200°C'). Returns all materials that pass every constraint. Supports gte, lte, eq, contains operators.

Use when the user asks 'what materials are approved for medical devices?', 'best lightweight materials for aerospace?', 'food-safe materials for injection molding?'. Cross-references industries and materials dictionaries.

Use this tool to CALCULATE a 3D printing price. Provide material_name, color, lead_time (must match the 3dp-pricing dictionary), quantity, and either weight_g or volume_cm3 — or an uploaded file_key (obtained from /v1/uploads/presign + /v1/uploads/complete) which is parsed to get volume. This tool does NOT create an order; it returns part_price / total / order_url. Output is desensitized (no unit prices).

Use when the user wants to compare specific machines (e.g. 'compare Formlabs Form 3 vs Stratasys J55', 'which machine has better build volume?'). Accepts 2–4 model IDs and optional metric list.

Use when the user asks to compare materials (e.g. 'AL6061 vs SS304', 'which plastic is stronger'). Returns a structured comparison table grouped by property. Accepts 2–5 material IDs and an optional list of properties to compare.

Use when the user wants to compare manufacturing processes (e.g. 'SLS vs FDM vs SLA comparison', 'which process has better tolerance: CNC or injection molding?'). Accepts 2–5 process IDs and optional metric list.

Use when the user asks 'what can replace FDM for this part?', 'alternative to CNC for low volumes?', or needs to switch process due to lead time / cost / material constraints.

Use when the user asks 'what machines can do SLS?', 'do you have equipment that can print 300mm × 300mm?', 'which printers support PEEK material?'. Returns matching equipment with build volumes, layer thickness, and availability status.

Use when the user wants alternatives to a specific material (e.g. 'what can replace SS304?', 'cheaper alternative to titanium'). Returns materials ranked by similarity score. Match criteria include strength, density, cost_tier, process_compat, thermal, corrosion.

Use when the user asks about machine certifications, dimensional accuracy, or QC procedures (e.g. 'is this machine ISO certified?', 'what is the dimensional accuracy of the EOS M 290?', 'what inspection methods do you use for this machine?').

Use when the user asks industry-specific requirements (e.g. 'what materials are used in aerospace?', 'what certifications does the medical device industry require?', 'typical tolerances for automotive parts?').

Use when the user asks about ISO 2768 tolerances (e.g. 'what is ISO 2768-m tolerance for 50mm?', 'ISO 2768 fine grade flatness?', 'general tolerance for machined parts'). Returns the ±tolerance value, range string, and applicable dimension range.

Use when the user needs to know if a material meets regulatory requirements (e.g. 'is this plastic RoHS compliant?', 'does this aluminum meet FDA requirements?'). Returns compliance status for RoHS, REACH, FDA, ISO, ASTM, CE.

Use when the user asks which processes can be used with a material (e.g. 'can titanium be FDM printed?', 'what processes work with PEEK?'). Returns compatible and incompatible process lists.

Use when the user asks about process specs, capabilities, or constraints (e.g. 'what is the tolerance of SLS?', 'what is the build volume of FDM?', 'what lead time for CNC machining?'). Returns category, build size, tolerance, compatible materials, lead time, and surface finish.

Use to resolve a user's material description (industry grade name like 'PA12', a colloquial term like 'nylon', a Chinese term, or a vague description) into concrete materials.csv entries. Unlike compare_materials/find_equivalent_materials (which need an exact known ID), this tool accepts messy input and returns a ranked list of candidates — use it as the first step when you don't already know the exact material_id. If multiple candidates come back, ask the user to pick one rather than guessing. Optionally narrow by category_hint (Plastic/Metal/Rubber/Resin/Powder Metals/Powder Polymers) or process_filter (e.g. 'Selective Laser Sintering', 'SLS', 'Injection Molding') when the context already implies a manufacturing process.