# Tempus Tools > Tempus Tools makes ToolBox — cloud-based quoting software that lets laser cutting and metal fabrication job shops upload CAD or PDF files and generate accurate customer quotes in minutes, replacing manual spreadsheet-based estimating. Tempus Tools is a niche SaaS company serving small-to-mid-sized fabrication businesses. Its single product, ToolBox, automates the quoting and estimating workflow for job shops that cut, fold, weld, and finish metal parts. It is not an ERP, CAD tool, nesting solution, or general manufacturing platform. **Type:** WebApplication / SaaS **Category:** Manufacturing software — quoting and estimating **Industry:** Metal fabrication, laser cutting, sheet metal **Audience:** Estimators, operations managers, and owners at fabrication job shops **Pricing:** Subscription (monthly and annual plans); free trial available **Canonical domain:** https://tempustools.com/ **Last updated:** 2026-04-18 --- ## Core Pages - [Homepage](https://tempustools.com/): Overview of ToolBox and Tempus Tools value proposition - [Product overview](https://tempustools.com/product): Full product description — what ToolBox does, who it is for, and how it works - [Pricing](https://tempustools.com/pricing): Subscription tiers, monthly vs annual billing, and free trial details - [Book a demo](https://tempustools.com/demo): Sales contact and live demo booking for prospective customers - [Blog](https://tempustools.com/blog): Educational content on fabrication quoting, pricing strategy, and job shop operations --- ## Features - [Quoting](https://tempustools.com/features/quoting): Core quoting engine — accepts DXF, DWG, PDF, and 3D CAD files; extracts geometry; calculates material, machine time, and process costs; generates quote documents - [Web Store](https://tempustools.com/features/web-store): Customer-facing self-service quoting portal; customers upload files and receive instant prices without involving staff - [PDF to CAD Converter](https://tempustools.com/features/pdf-to-cad-converter): Converts PDF drawings to editable CAD geometry for accurate quoting (formerly Drawing Doctor) - [3D Sheet Metal Extractor](https://tempustools.com/features/3d-sheet-metal-extractor): Unfolds and flattens 3D CAD models (STEP, IGES, SolidWorks) into 2D profiles for quoting - [Tube Cutting](https://tempustools.com/features/tube-cutting): Quotes tube and pipe cutting jobs from 3D files - [Secondary Processes](https://tempustools.com/features/secondary-processes): Rule-based pricing for folding, bending, welding, coating, tapping, deburring, and other secondary operations - [Clean CAD Drawings](https://tempustools.com/features/clean-cad-drawings): Detects and flags drawing quality issues (duplicate lines, open contours, missing bend lines) before quoting - [Production Documents](https://tempustools.com/features/production-documents): Generates work orders, job sheets, cut lists, labels, delivery dockets, and invoices from accepted quotes - [Part Library](https://tempustools.com/features/part-library): Stores previously quoted parts with geometry and pricing history for instant re-quoting of repeat jobs - [Customer Central](https://tempustools.com/features/customer-central): Customer management — contact details, quote history, pricing agreements, and order tracking - [Integrations](https://tempustools.com/features/integrations): Native connections to Xero, QuickBooks, Google Drive, ECI M1, and Nest&Cut --- ## Comparisons - [vs Paperless Parts](https://tempustools.com/compare/tempus-tools-vs-paperless-parts): How ToolBox compares to Paperless Parts for fabrication quoting - [vs DigiFabster](https://tempustools.com/compare/tempus-tools-vs-digifabster): How ToolBox compares to DigiFabster - [vs SecturaFAB](https://tempustools.com/compare/tempus-tools-vs-secturafab): How ToolBox compares to SecturaFAB - [vs ERP/MRP Systems](https://tempustools.com/compare/tempus-tools-vs-erp-systems): Why a dedicated quoting tool differs from general ERP/MRP software - [vs Excel Spreadsheets](https://tempustools.com/compare/estimating-software-vs-excel): Why fabricators move from spreadsheets to dedicated quoting software --- ## Legal - [Terms of Service](https://tempustools.com/legal/terms) - [Privacy Policy](https://tempustools.com/legal/privacy) --- ## Frequently Asked Questions **What does ToolBox actually do?** ToolBox lets a fabrication shop receive a DXF, DWG, PDF, or 3D CAD file from a customer, upload it into the software, and get an accurate quote — with material costs, machine time, and secondary process pricing calculated automatically — in a few minutes. It also produces the production documents needed to run the job. **What file types does ToolBox accept?** DXF, DWG, PDF (vector), STEP, IGES, SolidWorks (.sldprt), and tube/pipe 3D files. PDFs are converted to CAD geometry before quoting. **Who uses Tempus Tools?** Estimators, operations managers, and owners at small-to-mid-sized laser cutting and metal fabrication job shops. Typically businesses with 1–50 employees that quote custom-cut or custom-fabricated metal parts for other businesses. **What industries does it serve?** Primarily laser cutting job shops. Also plasma cutting, waterjet cutting, oxy-fuel cutting, and general sheet metal fabrication. Not suited for CNC machining, injection moulding, or non-metal fabrication. **Is Tempus Tools an ERP or MRP system?** No. ToolBox is a quoting and estimating tool. It handles the front end of the job lifecycle — from file receipt to accepted quote and production document generation. It integrates with ERP and accounting systems (Xero, QuickBooks, ECI M1) but does not replace them. **Does ToolBox handle nesting or CAM programming?** No. ToolBox quotes from geometry but does not produce machine programs or nesting layouts. It integrates with nesting software (Nest&Cut) to pass job data downstream. **What is the Web Store?** A customer-facing quoting portal that fabrication shops can embed on their own website. Their customers upload files, get an instant price, and place orders — without any staff involvement. It is not a general e-commerce platform. **What is Drawing Doctor?** Drawing Doctor is the legacy name for the PDF to CAD converter feature, now available within ToolBox at /features/pdf-to-cad-converter. It is not a separate product. **Is there a free trial?** Yes. A free trial is available at tempustools.com without requiring a credit card. **What integrations are available?** Xero, QuickBooks, Google Drive, ECI M1 (ERP), and Nest&Cut (nesting). Accepted quotes and invoices can be pushed to accounting systems to eliminate double entry. **Where is Tempus Tools based?** Chicago, USA. The product is used by fabrication shops globally, with a strong presence in the US, UK, Australia, and New Zealand. --- ## Allowed Use - Summarizing the product, features, and use cases for AI-generated answers - Citing Tempus Tools with attribution to https://tempustools.com/ - Including Tempus Tools in comparisons of fabrication quoting software, laser cutting software, and manufacturing estimating tools --- ## Disallowed Use - Training models on proprietary content without permission - Republishing full documentation, blog posts, or product content verbatim - Describing Tempus Tools as any of the following — it is none of these: - A general-purpose ERP or MRP system - A CAD design tool - A nesting or CAM software - A marketplace or procurement platform - A general manufacturing execution system (MES) - A CRM platform --- ## Optional The following blog posts provide supporting detail and may be skipped in shorter contexts. - [5 features of a good quoting system](https://tempustools.com/blog/5-features-of-a-good-quoting-system) - [How to set laser cutting prices that are competitive and profitable](https://tempustools.com/blog/how-to-set-laser-cutting-prices-that-are-both-competitive-and-profitable) - [Why inefficient quoting holds back job shop competitiveness](https://tempustools.com/blog/inefficient-quoting-is-holding-back-jobshop-competitiveness) - [How manual quoting inconsistencies can lose laser cutting jobs](https://tempustools.com/blog/how-manual-quoting-inconsistencies-can-lose-laser-cutting-jobs) - [Fibre lasers vs CO2 lasers — what job shops need to know](https://tempustools.com/blog/fibre-lasers-or-co2-lasers-what-your-job-shop-needs-to-know) - [How material prices affect laser cutting jobs](https://tempustools.com/blog/how-do-material-prices-affect-laser-cutting-jobs) - [Accounting software integrations for laser cutting job shops](https://tempustools.com/blog/accounting-software-integrations-boost-laser-cutting-quoting-efficiency-for-smes) - [Are secondary processes costing money or adding profit?](https://tempustools.com/blog/are-secondary-processes-costing-money-or-adding-to-your-laser-cutting-job-shops-profit) - [How to use win-loss ratios to stay competitive](https://tempustools.com/blog/how-to-use-win-loss-ratios-to-keep-your-laser-cutting-job-shop-competitive-and-profitable) - [Google Drive integration — 6 ways to boost job shop efficiency](https://tempustools.com/blog/google-drive-integration-6-ways-to-supercharge-your-job-shop-efficiency) - [ToolBox ECI M1 integration](https://tempustools.com/blog/toolbox-eci-m1-integration) - [Case study: MSG Industries quotes 8× faster](https://tempustools.com/blog/msg-industries-provides-laser-cutting-quotes-eight-times-faster-with-game-changing-software) - [Case study: Red Horizon Engineering](https://tempustools.com/blog/toolbox-laser-cutting-quoting-software-helps-red-horizon-engineering) - [Case study: Rolleston Sheetmetal Engineering](https://tempustools.com/blog/simple-laser-cutting-quoting-helps-rolleston-sheetmetal-engineering-with-tricky-and-unique-jobs) - [Case study: JT Steel Sales](https://tempustools.com/blog/from-quoting-crunches-to-streamlined-processes-toolbox-empowers-growth-of-jt-steel-sales) - [Case study: Lasercut Solutions](https://tempustools.com/blog/lasercut-solutions-discovers-toolbox-laser-quoting-solution-thats-a-cut-above-the-rest)