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Frequently Asked Questions

FAQs

  • What systems does CADLink integrate with?

    QBuild provides the industry’s widest range of direct connections, seamlessly linking over 50 engineering platforms (including CAD, PDM, and PLM) with over 50 major ERP and iPaaS systems. As the largest and most mature integration provider across your entire engineering ecosystem, we support everything from standard out-of-the-box setups to tailored services for custom systems. No matter your size, industry, or unique mix of software, QBuild’s unmatched breadth of experience ensures your ecosystem is fully connected. 

  • Can CADLink handle advanced ERP functionalities?

    CADLink includes deep API integrations that go beyond basic item and BOM data mapping to support advanced ERP functionalities natively. This allows you to manage complex operations like Engineering Change (EC) routing, production and quote BOMs, and full Project integration directly from the engineering environment.

  • What if my CAD BOM is structured differently from my ERP BOM?

    CADLink provides a dedicated workflow to map structural differences between CAD and ERP BOMs while maintaining the underlying data link. This ensures your custom ERP structure remains intact during future engineering revisions, eliminating the need to rebuild BOMs for Rev B. Other solutions require repeated re-structuring on each revision which can diminish the value in an automation solution.

  • Do I need a CAD license to use CADLink?

    CADLink only requires a CAD license if you would like it to be built directly into the CAD as an add-in for the design engineer. Deployment options are also available outside of the CAD, or even as fully-automated systems with no interface or user intervention.

  • How does CADLink licensing work?

    We offer both named and floating license options to match your deployment strategy. For highly automated SaaS environments, we strongly recommend named users to prevent a halt in production during peak operating hours while reducing your IT overhead/tickets in user administration.

  • Does CADLink have AI?

    Artificial intelligence is built into the CADLink logic module, giving full control to end users on how the CAD BOM is processed into ERP-ready data. You can set global rules, if-then conditions, restructure the BOM, and even control routings and raw materials. This allows CADLink to work exactly the way you need to fit your business processes without building out a custom solution. Built by engineers for engineers, we empower your team with the flexibility to tinker, optimize, and continuously improve your workflows.  

  • Does CADLink work with AI or LLMs?

    CADLink’s logic module is a rules-based AI engine that accepts VB and C# and includes full documentation, allowing you to feed it directly into LLMs like ChatGPT or Claude. This means you can generate and deploy custom routing rules in minutes rather than dozens of hours in a competitor’s proprietary system.

  • What benefits can I expect from using CADLink

    CADLink drives efficiency across your entire organization by eliminating manual data entry, allowing engineers to focus on design while automatically synchronizing items, BOMs, and routings directly with your ERP. By creating a single, reliable source of truth, it ensures manufacturing always works from the latest engineering drawings—drastically reducing shop-floor errors, scrap, and rework. Furthermore, when paired with ECx Manager, CADLink streamlines engineering change management, providing your team with total control, visibility, and auditability from initial design all the way to final production. 

  • How does CADLink handle operations/routings?

    The routing interface is built to serve anyone from high volume manufacturing, complex ETO, and mid-sized manufacturing or job shops. CADLink’s AI can automatically add routings based on rules, templates, and CAD data. You also have the option of building custom routing sequences for those unique projects your team is tackling.

  • How does support for CADLink work?

    In our unique implementation methodology you are assigned a dedicated Project Manager and Developer with engineering backgrounds, ensuring your support team actually understands manufacturing processes. This expert-level support is built directly into your standard license subscription, avoiding the typical hidden fees for technical assistance.

  • How long does CADLink take to implement?

    Implementations are rapid, and our web-based CADLink architecture can eliminate local installation time entirely. More importantly, our deployment methodology guarantees that your system is fully configured and production-ready at handoff, rather than leaving your engineering team to figure out the final setup. The same people who help you deploy will also support you after go live, creating a seamless transition into realizing value.

  • I am a large, global, and complex manufacturer. Will CADLink still work for me?

    The more complicated your manufacturing and engineering processes are, the more you stand to benefit from integration. What sets QBuild apart is the ability to scale with you. We are a one-stop shop for top-to-bottom integration, meaning we serve your needs for robust engineering change processes, nesting software integration, PLM integration, parts book generation, etc. This eliminates the need for a “rip and replace” of a different solution later as your needs grow.

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