Costing tool for estimation in Solidworks - Cell-by-Cell Formula Trace

Sample Data

This table shows a part named 'Bracket' with its material cost, labor hours, labor rate, overhead percentage, and a column for total cost to be calculated.

Cell	Value
A1	Part
B1	Material Cost
C1	Labor Hours
D1	Labor Rate
E1	Overhead %
F1	Total Cost
A2	Bracket
B2	50
C2	2
D2	30
E2	20%

Formula Trace

=B2 + (C2 * D2) + ((B2 + (C2 * D2)) * VALUE(LEFT(E2,LEN(E2)-1))/100)

Step 1: B2

Step 2: C2 * D2

Step 3: B2 + (C2 * D2)

Step 4: LEFT(E2,LEN(E2)-1)

Step 5: VALUE("20")

Step 6: 20 / 100

Step 7: 110 * 0.2

Step 8: B2 + (C2 * D2) + overhead

Cell Reference Map

    A       B       C       D       E       F
1 | Part  | MatCost| LaborH | LaborR | Overhd | Total |
2 |Bracket|  50   |   2    |   30   |  20%   |  ???  

Arrows: B2, C2, D2, E2 -> F2 (Total Cost calculation)

Cells B2, C2, D2, and E2 provide input values for the Total Cost formula in F2.

Result

    A       B       C       D       E       F
1 | Part  | MatCost| LaborH | LaborR | Overhd | Total |
2 |Bracket|  50   |   2    |   30   |  20%   |  132  

The Total Cost for the Bracket part is calculated as 132, combining material, labor, and overhead costs.

Sheet Trace Quiz - 3 Questions

What is the labor cost calculated in the formula?

A 60

B 50

C 22

D 132

Key Result

Total Cost = Material Cost + (Labor Hours * Labor Rate) + Overhead % of (Material + Labor)

Practice

1.

What is the main purpose of the SolidWorks costing tool?

easy

A. To create 3D animations of the design

B. To simulate the physical behavior of parts

C. To estimate manufacturing costs from a CAD model

D. To generate marketing materials automatically

Solution

1. Step 1: Understand the costing tool function

   The costing tool analyzes the CAD model to estimate how much it will cost to make the part.

2. Step 2: Compare options

   Other options like animation or simulation are not related to cost estimation.

3. Final Answer:

   To estimate manufacturing costs from a CAD model -> Option C

4. Quick Check:

   Costing tool = cost estimation [OK]

Hint: Costing tool = cost estimation from model [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Confusing costing with simulation
• Thinking it creates animations
• Assuming it generates marketing content

2.

Which of the following is the correct way to start a costing analysis in SolidWorks?

CostingTool.StartAnalysis()

easy

A. CostingTool.RunEstimate()

B. CostingTool.BeginCosting()

C. CostingTool.InitCost()

D. CostingTool.StartAnalysis()

Solution

1. Step 1: Identify the correct method name

   The method StartAnalysis() is the correct syntax to begin costing analysis in SolidWorks API.

2. Step 2: Check other options

   Other method names like BeginCosting(), InitCost(), and RunEstimate() are incorrect or do not exist.

3. Final Answer:

   CostingTool.StartAnalysis() -> Option D

4. Quick Check:

   Correct method = StartAnalysis() [OK]

Hint: Look for method with 'Start' and 'Analysis' words [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Using incorrect method names
• Confusing initialization with analysis start
• Assuming similar sounding methods exist

3.

Given the following costing parameters:
MaterialCost = 10
LaborCost = 5
MachineCost = 3
What is the total estimated cost calculated by TotalCost = MaterialCost + LaborCost + MachineCost?

medium

A. 18

B. 15

C. 10

D. 8

Solution

1. Step 1: Add material, labor, and machine costs

   MaterialCost (10) + LaborCost (5) + MachineCost (3) = 10 + 5 + 3 = 18

2. Step 2: Confirm total cost calculation

   The formula sums all costs correctly to get total cost.

3. Final Answer:

   18 -> Option A

4. Quick Check:

   Sum costs = 18 [OK]

Hint: Add all cost components for total [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Adding only two costs
• Mixing up cost values
• Forgetting to sum machine cost

4.

Identify the error in this costing calculation snippet:

MaterialCost = 12
LaborCost = '5'
TotalCost = MaterialCost + LaborCost

medium

A. TotalCost calculation is correct

B. LaborCost is a string, causing a type error

C. MaterialCost should be a string

D. Missing semicolon after LaborCost

Solution

1. Step 1: Check variable types

   MaterialCost is a number (12), but LaborCost is a string ('5'), which cannot be added directly.

2. Step 2: Identify error in addition

   Adding number and string causes a type error in most languages.

3. Final Answer:

   LaborCost is a string, causing a type error -> Option B

4. Quick Check:

   Type mismatch = error [OK]

Hint: Ensure all costs are numbers before adding [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Ignoring data types
• Assuming implicit conversion
• Thinking semicolon is required

5.

You want to estimate the cost of a part with variable material thickness. The costing tool allows you to set a parameter Thickness that affects material cost. If material cost per unit thickness is $4, and thickness is 2.5 units, what is the material cost?

hard

A. $10

B. $6.5

C. $8

D. $12

Solution

1. Step 1: Understand cost calculation

   Material cost = cost per unit thickness * thickness = 4 * 2.5

2. Step 2: Calculate total material cost

   4 * 2.5 = 10

3. Final Answer:

   $10 -> Option A

4. Quick Check:

   4 x 2.5 = 10 [OK]

Hint: Multiply unit cost by thickness [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Adding instead of multiplying
• Using wrong thickness value
• Confusing units and cost