CNC machine shops across UK and Europe are navigating an increasingly challenging environment. Rising production costs, volatile markets, geopolitical uncertainty and ongoing skilled labour shortages are putting pressure on manufacturers and making planning and maintaining competitiveness more difficult than ever.
Meanwhile, customers expect fast and reliable answers when requesting quotes for custom machined parts. In this environment, efficient and reproducible quoting processes are becoming a decisive competitive factor. This is where Spanflug MAKE can make a difference, It is a quoting software that automatically calculates precise manufacturing times and costs and makes quoting process faster and up to 90% more efficient
Billy Hopkins, Spanflug’s regional manager (UK & Ireland), said: “In many CNC machine shops, quoting is still one of the most time-consuming processes, often performed solely by a senior machinist or the general director. Spanflug MAKE, our AI-powered automated quoting software, helps companies respond faster to enquiries, distribute internal workload more effectively, and improve pricing accuracy.”
At
MACH 2026, taking place at the NEC, Birmingham, April 20–24, the software Spanflug MAKE will be demonstrated on the Ceratizit stand (Hall 19, Stand 340). The two companies have been strategic partners since 2024, and the exhibition provides an opportunity for machining companies to experience the software as part of this collaboration.
Live demonstrationsVisitors to the Ceratizit stand can witness live demonstrations of Spanflug MAKE and learn how automated quoting can support more efficient sales and work preparation processes in CNC manufacturing. At many sub-contractors, quoting is still a manual and experience-driven task, often handled by a limited number of highly qualified staff. This restricts scalability and slows down response times — both critical factors in competitive markets.
Spanflug MAKE enables automated and precise calculation of manufacturing times and costs for turning and milling parts based on CAD models and technical drawings. The AI-powered software automatically identifies machining-relevant parameters and generates an optimized operational plan including machine tools, cutting tools, stock materials, machining operations and post-treatments.
The result is a detailed cost calculation covering programming, setup and manufacturing times. Quotes can be generated within minutes and exported directly into ERP systems. By digitalising and standardising quoting workflows, machining companies can significantly increase efficiency while improving pricing consistency and transparency.
Through its partnership with Ceratizit, Spanflug MAKE integrates real cutting tool data directly into its calculation logic. This enables realistic modeling of machining processes and supports economically optimized machining strategies.
Spanflug’s CEO Markus Westermeier said: “By combining our AI-based calculation technology with Ceratizit’s tooling expertise, machining companies gain a powerful basis for reliable and economically optimised quoting,” says “We are pleased that UK manufacturers now have the opportunity to experience Spanflug MAKE first-hand at UK’s leading exhibition for manufacturing technologies through live demonstrations at the Ceratizit booth.”