Question 1

What is Axle Keys?

Accepted Answer

Axle Keys is a platform for Programmable Physical Ecosystems. It enables craftspeople, product designers, and engineers to encode how they build into configurable Systems of interoperable parts — then publish, share, and earn from that knowledge. It is not a generic AI CAD generator. It is infrastructure for physical making knowledge.

Question 2

What is a Programmable Physical Ecosystem?

Accepted Answer

A Programmable Physical Ecosystem is a platform where physical making knowledge becomes configurable, reusable infrastructure. Instead of generating one-off 3D models from open-ended prompts, users work within Systems of interoperable parts — producing outputs that are fabricatable, shareable, and composable with other Systems. The knowledge of how things are made becomes as callable and shareable as software.

Question 3

How is Axle Keys different from other AI CAD tools?

Accepted Answer

Most AI CAD tools try to generate anything from any prompt. This produces geometry that cannot be fabricated, outputs with no interoperability, and builds with no reuse value. Axle Keys works differently: users choose a System — a library of interoperable parts with defined fabrication rules — and AI assists within the constraints of that System. The constraint is the value, exactly like choosing to build with Lego rather than starting from raw material.

Question 4

What is Studio?

Accepted Answer

Studio is the design environment at axlekeys.com/studio where users choose a System and design within it. It includes a chat interface powered by Axle, a 3D viewport, parameter editing controls, a parts manager, version history, and fabrication export tools. Axle assists within the constraints of the chosen System — not into a void.

Question 5

Can I use Studio without choosing a System?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Open Design is the flexible starting point for models that don't yet belong to a stricter build method. Use it for early concepts, one-off objects, imported models, and exploratory work. If the object clearly belongs to a specific build method, use a more focused System such as Cabinet Systems or T-Slot Systems.

Question 6

Do I have to use AI to use Studio?

Accepted Answer

No. AI can help create, edit, explain, and automate work, but Studio is not exclusively AI-driven. Many useful actions are deterministic: editing parameters, importing files, reviewing parts, applying materials, generating cut lists, exporting files, saving versions, and publishing models. The best workflow is often a mix of direct controls, structured Systems, and AI assistance.

Question 7

Does Studio save project history?

Accepted Answer

Version history is a core part of the Axle Keys workflow. Because agents and users may make changes iteratively, Studio supports a pattern where meaningful edits can be reviewed, promoted, and rolled back when needed — especially important for CAD work, where a small change can affect the entire model.

Question 8

What is a System?

Accepted Answer

A System is a library of parts with defined interoperability rules that together form larger assemblies. Each System is tied to a specific fabrication output — DXF files for laser cutting, STL for 3D printing, BOM and cut lists for CNC and assembly. Users design within a System knowing their output will be physically buildable.

Question 9

How is a System different from a template?

Accepted Answer

A template is a fixed starting point you modify. A System is a complete library of parts that know how they connect to each other, what they can build together, and what fabrication output they produce. You don't fill in a template — you configure an assembly from a parts library, with AI helping you describe what you want and the System ensuring the output is valid and fabricatable.

Question 10

What Systems are available?

Accepted Answer

The first Axle Keys Systems are Open Design, Cabinet Systems, and T-Slot Systems. Open Design is for flexible configurable models and early concepts. Cabinet Systems is for cabinets, closets, built-ins, shelving, and panel-based casework. T-Slot Systems is for aluminum extrusion frames, carts, enclosures, and modular structures. More Systems are added over time.

Question 11

What fabrication outputs does Axle Keys support?

Accepted Answer

Fabrication output is tied to the System, not the platform. A flat-sheet laser System exports DXF files ready for laser cutting. A 3D print System exports STL files per part. A T-slot aluminum System exports a BOM and cut list. Each System defines its own output format as part of its design.

Question 12

Why do Systems matter for AI?

Accepted Answer

AI works better when it has context. Without a System, an agent may create geometry that looks plausible but has no real connection to parts, materials, or fabrication. With a System, the agent has a framework: what parts exist, what dimensions matter, what rules apply, and what outputs are expected. Systems turn AI from an open-ended prompt into a controlled design assistant.

Question 13

What is Exhibition?

Accepted Answer

Exhibition is the public browsing space for Axle Keys models. It is where configurable objects can be shown, studied, shared, and eventually remixed or licensed. The first version is curated — focused on making public models easy to discover and understand.

Question 14

What is Showroom?

Accepted Answer

Showroom is the public product-line space for users, shops, builders, and businesses. A Showroom page lets someone present configurable products or model families to visitors. Over time, it will support embedded configurators, inquiry forms, and customer-facing options. It is the commercial presentation layer built on top of Studio.

Question 15

How is Showroom different from Exhibition?

Accepted Answer

Exhibition is for public discovery — what interesting configurable models are available? Showroom is for commercial presentation — what does this person, shop, or business offer? A Showroom page may include product lines, configurators, inquiry forms, business information, and customer-facing options.

Question 16

Can AI agents use Axle Keys?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Axle Keys is designed so agents can connect through controlled MCP tools, read project context, create drafts, validate changes, update parameters, manage files, and prepare outputs — without giving them uncontrolled access to a live model. Systems on Axle Keys are also designed to be callable via the REST API.

Question 17

What is MCP?

Accepted Answer

MCP stands for Model Context Protocol. In Axle Keys, MCP is how external AI assistants and development tools interact with Studio projects through structured tools. Instead of only chatting about a model, an agent can perform controlled actions: reading the current model, creating a draft, validating changes, or updating parameters.

Question 18

How is MCP different from the REST API?

Accepted Answer

MCP is for agents — it is useful when an AI assistant needs to work step by step with project context. The REST API is for applications, integrations, embedded configurators, and external systems that need to call Axle Keys in a more traditional programmatic way. Both connect to the same underlying Systems, permissions, and user accounts.

Question 19

Can an agent change my model without my approval?

Accepted Answer

The safe pattern is: read → draft → validate → promote. An agent should not blindly overwrite the live model. Meaningful edits are staged, checked, and promoted through a visible workflow — especially important because Axle Keys deals with physical objects where small changes can cascade.

Question 20

Are Axle Keys models fabrication-ready?

Accepted Answer

Some models move toward fabrication outputs, but not every model is automatically fabrication-ready. Readiness depends on the selected System, the quality of the model, material assumptions, hardware details, and the fabrication method. Axle Keys can help structure the model and generate useful outputs — final fabrication decisions require human review.

Question 21

Does Axle Keys replace a fabricator, engineer, or professional designer?

Accepted Answer

No. Axle Keys is a tool for creating, configuring, documenting, and preparing physical models. It does not replace professional judgment. Some objects require engineering review, code compliance, safety analysis, material testing, or fabrication expertise before they are made.

Question 22

Where is pricing?

Accepted Answer

Pricing and billing are managed through the Account page for now. A public pricing page will be available when the product plans are ready to explain clearly.

Question 23

What are credits?

Accepted Answer

Credits manage usage for actions that cost compute to run — AI calls, generation jobs, export jobs, validation, and conversions. The exact credit model may change as Axle Keys develops.

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