FabEngine Scripts are Python code that describe a manufacturing work flow. You'll be using the FabEngine Python class library which contains functions to describe all processes involved in creating a physical product from scratch to shipping. Instead of manipulating integers and strings, your variables can now represent physical objects like screws, resistors, or 3D-printed shapes. Anything you already know about Python works in FabEngine Scripts, no matter if you learned your tricks in web development or scientific computing.
If you've programmed before, FabEngine Design Language will feel natural to you. These three short examples contain everything you need to know to start manufacturing.
Purchasing screws, capacitors, sheet metal, enclosures, microcontrollers, … is done with the procurement functions. You can specify product characteristics, a part number, or even ship us parts you already have at home.
Fabrication functions let you command industrial machinery. 3D printing, laser cutting, CNC milling, and similar processes are covered in this section.
The distinction between Fabrication and Assembly is fuzzy. In FDL all functions that combine components (variables) of different types into a new one are considered assembly functions. Assembly is often manual labor, i.e. expensive—try to keep it to a minimum.
If you are manufacturing products for customers, you should consider using quality assurance functions. FDL contains test functions for many steps of the manufacturing process from component testing to the final functional testing of your product.
The last function to call on every product is .ship(). Second to last is usually .package(). Fulfillment functions cover all the steps needed for getting your product from the FabEngine factory to you or your customer.