Vibe Manufacturing

Search the Vibe Manufacturing playbook, guides, tool reviews and the manufacturer directory. Mention a process (for example CNC machining) or a country to get matching manufacturers. Returns result ids for fetch.

{
  "type": "object",
  "properties": {
    "query": {
      "type": "string",
      "description": "What to look for, e.g. \"laser cutting manufacturers in Germany\" or \"how to check manufacturability\""
    }
  },
  "required": [
    "query"
  ]
}

Fetch the full text of a document or manufacturer profile by the id returned from search.

{
  "type": "object",
  "properties": {
    "id": {
      "type": "string",
      "description": "A page URL or supplier:<CC>:<domain> from search results"
    }
  },
  "required": [
    "id"
  ]
}

Search the playbook, guides, tool reviews and comparisons on vibe-manufacturing.com.

{
  "type": "object",
  "properties": {
    "query": {
      "type": "string",
      "description": "Free-text search term"
    },
    "limit": {
      "type": "integer",
      "description": "Max results, 1 to 20"
    }
  },
  "required": [
    "query"
  ]
}

Get one of the 13 playbook steps (summary, explanation, checklist, related tools).

{
  "type": "object",
  "properties": {
    "step": {
      "type": "integer",
      "minimum": 1,
      "maximum": 13,
      "description": "Step number 1 to 13"
    }
  },
  "required": [
    "step"
  ]
}

List tools and factories with pros and cons. Optional category: Fabrication, Electronics, Sourcing, Prototyping, Measuring, Design, Review.

{
  "type": "object",
  "properties": {
    "category": {
      "type": "string",
      "description": "Optional category filter"
    }
  }
}

Estimate landed cost per unit and the price needed for a target margin for a custom product. All money values in USD per unit.

{
  "type": "object",
  "properties": {
    "part": {
      "type": "number"
    },
    "finishing": {
      "type": "number"
    },
    "hardware": {
      "type": "number"
    },
    "assembly_minutes": {
      "type": "number"
    },
    "labor_rate_per_hour": {
      "type": "number"
    },
    "packaging": {
      "type": "number"
    },
    "shipping": {
      "type": "number"
    },
    "returns_percent": {
      "type": "number"
    },
    "payment_fee_percent": {
      "type": "number"
    },
    "target_margin_percent": {
      "type": "number"
    }
  }
}

Find contract manufacturers in the directory by country and process. Processes: laser-cutting, cnc-machining, sheet-metal, 3d-printing, injection-molding, pcb-assembly, die-casting, welding, waterjet-cutting, metal-stamping, forging, heat-treatment, grinding-polishing, casting, wire-forming, steel-construction, surface-finishing. Country as ISO code (DE) or slug (germany).

{
  "type": "object",
  "properties": {
    "country": {
      "type": "string",
      "description": "ISO 3166-1 alpha-2 code or country slug"
    },
    "process": {
      "type": "string",
      "description": "Process id, e.g. laser-cutting"
    },
    "city": {
      "type": "string"
    },
    "limit": {
      "type": "integer",
      "description": "Max results, 1 to 100"
    }
  }
}

Rank manufacturers for a structured part spec. Returns scored matches with the reasons, so an agent can explain the choice to its user.

{
  "type": "object",
  "properties": {
    "process": {
      "type": "string",
      "enum": [
        "laser-cutting",
        "cnc-machining",
        "sheet-metal",
        "3d-printing",
        "injection-molding",
        "pcb-assembly",
        "die-casting",
        "welding",
        "waterjet-cutting",
        "metal-stamping",
        "forging",
        "heat-treatment",
        "grinding-polishing",
        "casting",
        "wire-forming",
        "steel-construction",
        "surface-finishing"
      ]
    },
    "materials": {
      "type": "array",
      "items": {
        "type": "string",
        "enum": [
          "aluminium",
          "steel",
          "stainless-steel",
          "titanium",
          "brass",
          "copper",
          "plastic"
        ]
      }
    },
    "certifications": {
      "type": "array",
      "items": {
        "type": "string",
        "enum": [
          "iso-9001",
          "iso-14001",
          "iatf-16949",
          "iso-13485",
          "as9100",
          "en-1090",
          "iso-45001",
          "itar",
          "nadcap",
          "ul-listed",
          "rohs",
          "fda-registered",
          "cmmc"
        ]
      }
    },
    "country": {
      "type": "string",
      "description": "Preferred country, ISO code or slug"
    },
    "quantity": {
      "type": "integer",
      "description": "Units wanted; favors prototype-friendly shops for small numbers and series producers for large ones"
    },
    "file_formats": {
      "type": "array",
      "items": {
        "type": "string",
        "enum": [
          "step",
          "dxf",
          "dwg",
          "stl",
          "iges",
          "3mf",
          "gerber"
        ]
      },
      "description": "CAD formats you can supply"
    },
    "industries": {
      "type": "array",
      "items": {
        "type": "string",
        "enum": [
          "automotive",
          "aerospace",
          "medical",
          "energy",
          "railway",
          "marine",
          "electronics",
          "food",
          "construction",
          "packaging",
          "defense",
          "consumer"
        ]
      }
    },
    "tolerance_mm": {
      "type": "number",
      "description": "Tightest tolerance you need, in mm"
    },
    "limit": {
      "type": "integer"
    }
  },
  "required": [
    "process"
  ]
}

Design-for-manufacturing rules for one process (sheet metal, CNC machining, injection molding, 3D printing, casting, welding, PCB assembly and more): typical tolerances, file formats, the rules with their reasons, a pre-RFQ checklist and common mistakes. Typical rules of thumb; the manufacturer's own guidelines override them. Omit process to list all.

{
  "type": "object",
  "properties": {
    "process": {
      "type": "string",
      "enum": [
        "laser-cutting",
        "cnc-machining",
        "sheet-metal",
        "3d-printing",
        "injection-molding",
        "pcb-assembly",
        "die-casting",
        "welding",
        "waterjet-cutting",
        "metal-stamping",
        "forging",
        "heat-treatment",
        "grinding-polishing",
        "casting",
        "wire-forming",
        "steel-construction",
        "surface-finishing"
      ]
    }
  }
}

Check a design against typical manufacturing rules before you request quotes. Returns pass, warn or fail per check with the limit and the reason. Supported processes: sheet-metal, laser-cutting, cnc-machining, 3d-printing, injection-molding, die-casting, casting, metal-stamping, pcb-assembly. Parameters are in millimetres/degrees, for example thickness_mm, bend_radius_mm, flange_length_mm, hole_diameter_mm, hole_to_edge_mm, hole_to_bend_mm, wall_thickness_mm, pocket_depth_mm, inside_corner_radius_mm, draft_deg, material.

{
  "type": "object",
  "properties": {
    "process": {
      "type": "string",
      "enum": [
        "sheet-metal",
        "laser-cutting",
        "cnc-machining",
        "3d-printing",
        "injection-molding",
        "die-casting",
        "casting",
        "metal-stamping",
        "pcb-assembly"
      ]
    },
    "params": {
      "type": "object",
      "description": "Numeric design parameters, see the tool description",
      "additionalProperties": true
    }
  },
  "required": [
    "process",
    "params"
  ]
}

Find manufacturing businesses you can contact directly, including official-registry establishments without a website (Mexico: INEGI DENUE). Returns how to reach each one: contact form, phone and email (published only for legal entities), website. Filter by ISO country code (MX, US, ...), process and city. Use next_after to page.

{
  "type": "object",
  "properties": {
    "country": {
      "type": "string",
      "description": "ISO 3166-1 alpha-2, e.g. MX"
    },
    "process": {
      "type": "string",
      "enum": [
        "laser-cutting",
        "cnc-machining",
        "sheet-metal",
        "3d-printing",
        "injection-molding",
        "pcb-assembly",
        "die-casting",
        "welding",
        "waterjet-cutting",
        "metal-stamping",
        "forging",
        "heat-treatment",
        "grinding-polishing",
        "casting",
        "wire-forming",
        "steel-construction",
        "surface-finishing"
      ]
    },
    "city": {
      "type": "string"
    },
    "limit": {
      "type": "integer",
      "minimum": 1,
      "maximum": 100
    },
    "after": {
      "type": "integer",
      "description": "next_after value from the previous page"
    }
  }
}

Send a quote request for the human you act for. Only call after the user agreed that the request and email may be shared with suitable manufacturers. A person reviews it and replies by email.

{
  "type": "object",
  "properties": {
    "email": {
      "type": "string",
      "description": "Reply address of the human requester"
    },
    "description": {
      "type": "string",
      "description": "Part, material, size, tolerances, file formats"
    },
    "process": {
      "type": "string",
      "enum": [
        "laser-cutting",
        "cnc-machining",
        "sheet-metal",
        "3d-printing",
        "injection-molding",
        "pcb-assembly",
        "die-casting",
        "welding",
        "waterjet-cutting",
        "metal-stamping",
        "forging",
        "heat-treatment",
        "grinding-polishing",
        "casting",
        "wire-forming",
        "steel-construction",
        "surface-finishing"
      ]
    },
    "country": {
      "type": "string"
    },
    "quantity": {
      "type": "string"
    },
    "user_consent": {
      "type": "boolean",
      "description": "true only if the user agreed to share the request with manufacturers"
    }
  },
  "required": [
    "email",
    "description",
    "user_consent"
  ]
}

Create a structured request for quotation for the human you act for. Call get_rfq_requirements for the process first and upload files with upload_rfq_file; use dry_run to check completeness before sending. The answer contains quote_readiness, missing and recommended items. We match manufacturers, email the ones that opted in, and return direct contact, quote-form and agent links for all matches plus an RFQ id and a token to read quotes later. Only call after the user agreed that the request is shared with matched manufacturers.

{
  "type": "object",
  "properties": {
    "process": {
      "type": "string",
      "enum": [
        "laser-cutting",
        "cnc-machining",
        "sheet-metal",
        "3d-printing",
        "injection-molding",
        "pcb-assembly",
        "die-casting",
        "welding",
        "waterjet-cutting",
        "metal-stamping",
        "forging",
        "heat-treatment",
        "grinding-polishing",
        "casting",
        "wire-forming",
        "steel-construction",
        "surface-finishing"
      ]
    },
    "quantity": {
      "type": "integer",
      "minimum": 1
    },
    "description": {
      "type": "string",
      "description": "Part, size, material, use"
    },
    "requester_email": {
      "type": "string"
    },
    "user_consent": {
      "type": "boolean",
      "description": "true only if the user agreed to share the request with matched manufacturers"
    },
    "materials": {
      "type": "array",
      "items": {
        "type": "string",
        "enum": [
          "aluminium",
          "steel",
          "stainless-steel",
          "titanium",
          "brass",
          "copper",
          "plastic"
        ]
      }
    },
    "certifications": {
      "type": "array",
      "items": {
        "type": "string",
        "enum": [
          "iso-9001",
          "iso-14001",
          "iatf-16949",
          "iso-13485",
          "as9100",
          "en-1090",
          "iso-45001",
          "itar",
          "nadcap",
          "ul-listed",
          "rohs",
          "fda-registered",
          "cmmc"
        ]
      }
    },
    "industries": {
      "type": "array",
      "items": {
        "type": "string",
        "enum": [
          "automotive",
          "aerospace",
          "medical",
          "energy",
          "railway",
          "marine",
          "electronics",
          "food",
          "construction",
          "packaging",
          "defense",
          "consumer"
        ]
      }
    },
    "file_formats": {
      "type": "array",
      "items": {
        "type": "string",
        "enum": [
          "step",
          "dxf",
          "dwg",
          "stl",
          "iges",
          "3mf",
          "gerber"
        ]
      }
    },
    "cad_files": {
      "type": "array",
      "maxItems": 5,
      "items": {
        "type": "object",
        "properties": {
          "url": {
            "type": "string",
            "description": "public https URL of the CAD file"
          },
          "format": {
            "type": "string",
            "enum": [
              "step",
              "dxf",
              "dwg",
              "stl",
              "iges",
              "3mf",
              "gerber"
            ]
          },
          "sha256": {
            "type": "string"
          }
        },
        "required": [
          "url"
        ]
      }
    },
    "tolerance_mm": {
      "type": "number"
    },
    "finish": {
      "type": "string"
    },
    "needed_by": {
      "type": "string"
    },
    "ship_to_country": {
      "type": "string",
      "description": "ISO 3166-1 alpha-2"
    },
    "budget_note": {
      "type": "string"
    },
    "thickness_mm": {
      "type": "number",
      "description": "Material thickness for sheet, plate and cut parts"
    },
    "file_ids": {
      "type": "array",
      "maxItems": 10,
      "items": {
        "type": "string"
      },
      "description": "file_id values returned by upload_rfq_file"
    },
    "dry_run": {
      "type": "boolean",
      "description": "true = check completeness only; nothing is stored or sent"
    },
    "strict": {
      "type": "boolean",
      "description": "true = refuse to send when required items are missing"
    },
    "callback_url": {
      "type": "string",
      "description": "Optional https URL that receives a signed event when a factory answers"
    }
  },
  "required": [
    "process",
    "quantity",
    "description",
    "requester_email",
    "user_consent"
  ]
}

Read the matches and the quotes received so far for an RFQ you created. Needs the rfq_id and the token returned by create_rfq.

{
  "type": "object",
  "properties": {
    "rfq_id": {
      "type": "string"
    },
    "token": {
      "type": "string"
    }
  },
  "required": [
    "rfq_id",
    "token"
  ]
}

What a factory needs to quote a given process (required and recommended items with accepted values). Read this before create_rfq so the request is complete.

{
  "type": "object",
  "properties": {
    "process": {
      "type": "string",
      "enum": [
        "laser-cutting",
        "cnc-machining",
        "sheet-metal",
        "3d-printing",
        "injection-molding",
        "pcb-assembly",
        "die-casting",
        "welding",
        "waterjet-cutting",
        "metal-stamping",
        "forging",
        "heat-treatment",
        "grinding-polishing",
        "casting",
        "wire-forming",
        "steel-construction",
        "surface-finishing"
      ]
    }
  },
  "required": [
    "process"
  ]
}

Upload a design file (STEP/STP, IGES/IGS, STL, 3MF, OBJ, DXF, DWG, PDF, ZIP (Gerber files go in a ZIP); up to 6 MB as base64 here, up to 100 MB with POST /api/v1/rfq/files?name=...). Returns a file_id to pass in create_rfq file_ids. Unused files expire after 24 hours. Only upload files the user agreed to share with manufacturers.

{
  "type": "object",
  "properties": {
    "name": {
      "type": "string",
      "description": "File name with extension, e.g. bracket.step"
    },
    "content_base64": {
      "type": "string"
    },
    "rfq_id": {
      "type": "string",
      "description": "Optional: attach to an existing request (needs token)"
    },
    "token": {
      "type": "string",
      "description": "The rfq token, or a supplier token, when rfq_id is given"
    }
  },
  "required": [
    "name",
    "content_base64"
  ]
}

Write to the matched factories about a request (buyer token) or to the buyer (supplier token): a question, an answer or an update, optionally with file_ids. We relay it by email or API and keep the thread.

{
  "type": "object",
  "properties": {
    "rfq_id": {
      "type": "string"
    },
    "token": {
      "type": "string",
      "description": "rfq token (buyer) or supplier token (factory)"
    },
    "body": {
      "type": "string"
    },
    "kind": {
      "type": "string",
      "enum": [
        "question",
        "answer",
        "note",
        "update"
      ]
    },
    "company_id": {
      "type": "integer",
      "description": "Buyer only: address one matched manufacturer instead of all"
    },
    "file_ids": {
      "type": "array",
      "items": {
        "type": "string"
      },
      "maxItems": 10
    }
  },
  "required": [
    "rfq_id",
    "token",
    "body"
  ]
}

Read the conversation of a request: messages from factories (answers, quotes, files) and your own. Pass since=<last message_id> to get only new ones.

{
  "type": "object",
  "properties": {
    "rfq_id": {
      "type": "string"
    },
    "token": {
      "type": "string"
    },
    "since": {
      "type": "integer"
    }
  },
  "required": [
    "rfq_id",
    "token"
  ]
}

For a manufacturer's agent: answer an RFQ the company was matched to. Needs the supplier token issued when the company registered. Replaces any existing quote from this supplier for this RFQ, adds a thread entry and notifies the buyer by email and an optional callback; repeating the call sends notifications again. Only call with the supplier's authorization.

{
  "type": "object",
  "properties": {
    "rfq_id": {
      "type": "string"
    },
    "supplier_token": {
      "type": "string"
    },
    "unit_price": {
      "type": "number"
    },
    "currency": {
      "type": "string",
      "description": "3-letter code, default EUR"
    },
    "quantity": {
      "type": "integer"
    },
    "lead_time_days": {
      "type": "integer"
    },
    "valid_until": {
      "type": "string",
      "description": "YYYY-MM-DD"
    },
    "notes": {
      "type": "string"
    }
  },
  "required": [
    "rfq_id",
    "supplier_token",
    "unit_price"
  ]
}