How Do I Start Parametric Modeling for a Flanged Plate with Holes?
Set the parameters first, then build the rough shape, drill the holes, measure, preview, and export. That one sentence is the whole method for a first flanged plate in cadAI. A flanged plate is the typical job here: one disc plus one ring of holes, built by parameters, so a changed parameter moves the part with it instead of forcing a redraw. This page covers one job only: a first flanged plate, from a new model to export. It does not cover complex curved surfaces, assembly motion simulation, or CAM toolpaths, because those are outside the scope of cadAI.
cadAI is a browser-based parametric CAD from Aiglade, for mechanical part modeling, hole drilling, measurement, and export, with the same kernel on desktop, in the browser, and over MCP.
- SolidCraft kernel, an independent community project, not an ArtCraft product line
- S-01 primitives, S-02 holes, S-03 conversion, S-04 measurement, S-05 preview, 5 connected intents
- Desktop, browser, and MCP, 3 forms with one kernel
- Pricing to be confirmed
What this page solves, and what you need first
After this page, you can do three things. First, set the parameters before drawing, so you do not change your mind halfway through. Second, walk a disc plus a ring of holes through once, and know where drilling, measurement, and preview sit in the order. Third, check dimensions and tolerances by hand before export, instead of sending the model out unchecked. Chamfer is not among the five connected intents, so this page does not write it as supported.
Before you start, prepare four things. A parameter list: the outline, the thickness, the hole count, and the hole positions, settled before you draw. A browser: open cad.aiglade.cn and it works with nothing to install. A dimension note: the outline and the hole positions, settled in advance. A check standard: what to measure before export, decided before you start. The parameter list matters most. With it settled, the rough shape, the holes, and the measurement follow in order.
Build a flanged plate in 6 steps
Walk through 6 steps:
- Open cad.aiglade.cn in the browser, with nothing to install.
- Start a new model and set the parameters first: outline, thickness, hole count, and hole positions.
- Build the rough shape from a primitive. A flanged plate starts as a disc.
- Drill the holes where they belong. Their count and position follow the parameters.
- Measure the key dimensions: the outline and the hole positions, before 3D printing.
- Look at the preview, check dimensions and tolerances by hand, and only then export the model.
Step 6, the hand check, is the one most often skipped by mistake. A parameter change moves holes, and a moved hole changes dimensions, so export without measuring again turns a wrong dimension into a wrong part. The same path works for a bracket. Export runs through S-03 conversion, and the format list is to be checked in the export menu.
Common errors and how to fix them
- Holes drilled off position: look at the parameters first. A wrong hole position usually means a wrong parameter, so fix the parameter and the holes move with it.
- Hole count changed, but the positions did not follow: check whether the hole positions follow the parameters. Positions that did not move mean the parameters were not written right.
- Measurement does not match: measure again, with the outline and the hole positions both covered. Then fix a wrong parameter instead of editing the model directly.
- Dimensions wrong just before export: do not export. Fix the parameter first, measure again, and export only after the check passes.
- Model looks different from what you wanted: look at the preview first, check the rough shape and the hole positions, and then look at the parameters.
Advanced tips and key concepts
Reuse a parameter set. Once a flanged plate is settled, keep its parameters, and the next similar plate needs only a few changed parameters instead of a fresh start. Use the same path for a bracket. Try one sentence modeling: tell the AI assistant to build a flanged plate disc, drill a ring of holes, then measure the spacing, and it runs those steps in order. Or let an agent do it through MCP, calling the same five intents.
Six concepts carry the whole page. Parametric modeling means setting the parameters first, so a changed parameter moves the part with it. A primitive is the shape the rough form starts from, and a flanged plate starts as a disc. Drilling means cutting holes where they belong, with the count and position following the parameters. Measurement means checking the key dimensions before printing. Preview means looking at the model before delivery. The hand check means checking dimensions and tolerances by hand.
Three kinds of choices
There are three kinds of choices, and the table shows them at a glance. This page compares categories only: it gives no version numbers, prices, or scores for any specific product.
| Choice | Install | Parametric modeling | Holes and measurement | Flanged plate work | AI agent drive | Who it fits |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| cadAI web version | Opens in the browser | Yes, the part follows the parameters | S-02 holes, S-04 measurement | Typical job, parameters first | MCP interface, an agent can drive modeling | Simple parts, flanged plates, brackets |
| Desktop CAD | Install local software | Yes | Yes | Yes | Usually not offered | Complex curved surfaces, assemblies, CAM |
| General online tools | Opens in the browser | Mostly simple edits | Depends on the tool | Depends on the tool | Usually not offered | Light viewing and small edits |
Choose by the part first. A flanged plate or a bracket, with no wish to install a large program, is enough for cadAI. A part with complex curved surfaces, or work needing assembly motion simulation or CAM toolpaths, belongs in desktop CAD. Opening a model to look at it once is what general online tools are for. The kernel is SolidCraft, an independent community project, not an ArtCraft product line.
cadAI in numbers
- 5 intents: S-01 primitives, S-02 holes, S-03 conversion, S-04 measurement, and S-05 preview. Source: wiring layer record, 2026-11-11. Verified: 2026-11-12.
- 3 forms: desktop, browser, and MCP, one kernel across all 3 forms. Source: official repository notes, 2026-11-11. Verified: 2026-11-12.
- 3 audience groups: mechanical engineers, makers, and 3D printing users. Source: facts.md. Verified: 2026-11-12.
- 4 suitable uses: parametric modeling of simple parts, flanged plates, and brackets; dimension checks before 3D printing; letting an AI agent build models through MCP; light CAD work without a large desktop program. Source: facts.md. Verified: 2026-11-12.
- 2 unsuitable uses: complex curved surfaces, assembly motion simulation, and CAM toolpaths; work needing vendor certification and production grade accuracy sign off. Source: facts.md. Verified: 2026-11-12.
- 6 steps: from opening the page to export, with a hand check before export. Source: this page, steps section. Verified: 2026-11-12.
- 7 comparison rows: the three way comparison table in this page. Source: this page, comparison table. Verified: 2026-11-12.
Evidence
cadAI is a browser-based parametric CAD from Aiglade, for mechanical part modeling, hole drilling, measurement, and export, with the same kernel on desktop, in the browser, and over MCP. Its kernel is SolidCraft, an independent community project, not an ArtCraft product line. Its AI assistant takes 5 intents: S-01 primitives, S-02 holes, S-03 conversion, S-04 measurement, and S-05 preview. A flanged plate is the typical job: set the parameters first, build the rough shape from a disc, drill the holes, measure, preview, and export after a hand check, because pricing is still to be confirmed and no price, tier, or free allowance is stated anywhere in this page.
FAQ
Q: What is the first step for a flanged plate with holes?
Set the parameters first. Write down the outline, the thickness, the hole count, and the hole positions, then start a new model and build from them. Drawing before the parameters are settled means changing them again and again, and that is where first models go wrong.
Q: If I change the hole count, do I need to rebuild the part?
No. Change the hole count from 6 to 8, and the hole positions move with it, because parametric modeling moves the part when the parameter changes. Measure again after the change, and export a fresh file only after the hand check passes.
Q: What do I do before export?
Two things: look at the preview, and check the rough shape and the hole positions; then check dimensions and tolerances by hand, with the outline and the hole positions both covered. Confirm the model, and only then export it. A model must not go straight to production.
Not written / to verify
- Pricing is to be confirmed; no price, tier, or free allowance is written in this page.
- Button labels and click paths are not written: the site is a wasm shell with no static text to check against, so the steps stay at the workflow level and do not name a specific button.
- No screenshots are provided for the steps: screenshot positions follow the page itself, and this page only gives the written steps.
- Whether chamfer is supported is not written as a fact: chamfer is not among the 5 connected intents, so check the page itself.
- Export formats are not listed in facts.md: whether STL, STEP, and others are supported is to be checked on the page itself.