AI design-to-CNC for cabinet shops

Speak a kitchen.
Get a cut file.

BuildMate turns a plain-English description into 3D, nested sheets, verified G-code, and a customer quote — one app, from idea to the machine.

90 sec idea → cut file 6 CNC controllers 1 app, no CAD degree
GRBL·grblHAL·Mach3·Masso·LinuxCNC·ShopBot

From words to the workshop

Three steps, one afternoon's work in ninety seconds

No parametric modelling, no manual nesting, no post-processor wrangling. Describe it, review it, cut it.

Describe it

Type or speak the kitchen — “3m L-shape, shaker doors, sink under the window.” BuildMate’s AI designs it in real 3D you can edit unit by unit.

Review the cut

Every panel, nested onto your sheet stock. Simulate the toolpaths, check the 74-point G-code verifier, tweak materials and hardware.

Cut & invoice

Stream straight to the machine from the built-in controller, or export the job folder. Send the customer a quote and collect the deposit.

One tool, the whole shop

Everything from the first sketch to the paid invoice

No stitching together CAD, a nesting app, a post-processor, and a spreadsheet. It’s all here.

Design & AI

Design at the speed of speech

Describe a kitchen or wardrobe and get real, editable 3D — or build it yourself in the live designer.

  • Plain-English text-to-CAD, powered by Claude
  • Kitchen, wardrobe & freeform modes
  • Edit a unit — the model rebuilds instantly
  • Customer-facing 3D configurator that captures leads

Nesting & CNC

Cut files that just run

Every panel nested, drilled, grooved and verified — ready for the spindle.

  • Automatic sheet nesting with grain control
  • Drilling, grooving, V-carve & labels (QR)
  • 2.5D stock simulation & toolpath backplot
  • Cut lists, banding & hardware BOM

Machine control

Drive the machine, safely

A built-in GRBL controller with a safety net that won’t let a bad file through.

  • Jog, DRO, spindle & feed overrides
  • G-code linter — 9 hard-stops, 7 warnings
  • 74-check verifier gates every Send
  • Air-cut first: simulate before you commit stock

Business

Get paid without the paperwork

Quotes, deposits, and a customer portal — the parts of the job that aren’t cutting.

  • Customer portal: quote → approve → pay
  • Invoices, supplier orders & production queue
  • Operator accounts & job history
  • Export to your ERP or accounting

Why shops switch

Built for the small shop, not the enterprise

The incumbents cost thousands per seat and take months to learn. Your real competitor is the spreadsheet — and BuildMate beats both.

Capability
BuildMate
Legacy CAD/CAM
Design from plain English
✓ Built in
Design + CAM + machine + invoicing
✓ One app
3–4 tools
Time to first cut file
Minutes
Days of setup
Learning curve
An afternoon
Weeks–months
Price
From $49/mo
$5,000+ / seat

Simple, honest pricing

One plan. Every feature.

Start free for 14 days. No sales call. Cancel anytime. Bring your own AI key — you only pay Anthropic for what you use.

BuildMate Pro — Monthly
$49 /mo

Full platform, month to month.

  • AI design + 3D from plain English
  • Nested sheets & verified G-code
  • Machine control & customer quotes
  • 14-day free trial
Start free trial
BuildMate Pro — Yearly
$490 /yr

Two months free on annual billing.

  • Everything in Monthly
  • 2 months free ($98 saved)
  • Price locked for your term
  • 14-day free trial
Start free trial

Prices in USD, billed via Stripe. Every design & CNC feature included. Cancel anytime from your receipt email.

Good questions

Everything you’re about to ask

Do I need to know CAD?

No. That’s the whole point. You describe the job in plain English and BuildMate designs it. If you want fine control, the live 3D designer is there — but you never have to touch a sketch constraint or a post-processor.

Which machines does it drive?

BuildMate ships six CNC post-processors — GRBL, grblHAL, Mach3, Masso, LinuxCNC and ShopBot — and a built-in GRBL controller for streaming jobs directly. Every generated file passes a 74-point verifier before it can be sent. Always air-cut a new job first.

What are the system requirements?

A Mac running macOS 12 or newer. BuildMate installs as a single signed app — no dependencies to chase, no separate CAD to install. A Windows build is on the way.

How does the AI work, and what does it cost?

BuildMate uses Anthropic’s Claude for design. You bring your own API key, so you pay Anthropic directly for exactly what you use — typically pennies per design — and nothing is marked up. Your designs stay yours.

Is it safe to run generated G-code?

Treat every generated file like any other: simulate it, then air-cut before committing stock. BuildMate’s verifier and linter catch the common mistakes automatically and block unsafe sends, but the operator is always in control and must verify each job.

Get started

Your next kitchen is one sentence away

Download BuildMate for macOS and cut your first AI-designed job today — free for 14 days.

Windows & Linux builds are in production — leave your email and we'll send the link the moment they land.

No spam. Just release notes and platform launches.