Engineering companies can license native CAD assemblies they own, with feature history, drawings and test results. Published buyer ranges run $45K to $1.3M for companies with 20 to 2,000 employees, in any country. Automotive, aerospace, robotics and industrial equipment are the priority. Exported meshes, single parts and customer-owned designs do not qualify, and export-controlled technical data must stay out.
- Native files with feature trees beat exported meshes or STEP files.
- Several products or product generations are wanted, not a parts catalog.
- Customer IP and ITAR or EAR controlled data stay out.
What engineering data buyers want
Published buyer requirements name automotive suppliers, aerospace, robotics, industrial equipment, product design consultancies, and EV and drone makers.
| Record | Why buyers want it |
|---|---|
| Native multi-part assemblies with feature trees | Show how a design was built, not only its final shape. |
| PCB designs and Gerber files | Pair circuit intent with manufacturable output. |
| Drawings and bills of materials | Link geometry to tolerances and parts. |
| FEA and CFD simulation files | Show how designs were verified. |
| Measured test results | Close the loop between design and performance. |
| Firmware | Connects hardware to its control logic. |
Ownership and export checks
Rights decide scope more than file quality.
- Designs owned by customers stay out, which often excludes build-to-print work.
- ITAR technical data and EAR-controlled technology need an export review before anything leaves; sharing with foreign-national staff at a buyer can count as an export.
- Purchased part libraries and supplier models are licensed to you, not owned.
- Firmware may include third-party or open-source code under licenses that travel with it.
What rules a company out
Buyers list single parts or parts catalogs, and designs owned by your customers, as not a fit.
Can companies outside the US license these records?
Buyers of these records accept companies anywhere. Export control regimes are the main country-specific check for engineering data.
The privacy law that applies to any personal data left in the records:
| Country | Main rule to check | Country guide |
|---|---|---|
| United States | ITAR and EAR | US guide |
| United Kingdom | Export Control Order 2008 | UK guide |
| Germany | EU Dual-Use Regulation; BAFA licensing | Germany guide |
| Ireland | EU Dual-Use Regulation | Ireland guide |
| Canada | Controlled Goods Program; Export Control List | Canada guide |
| India | SCOMET list | India guide |
Next step
Manufacturers with production and quality records should also see data licensing for manufacturers. Start with a company-level description: which systems hold the records, how many years they cover and who owns them. No files are needed. Request a free review.
Origin Data Partners is independent and is not affiliated with any AI data buyer. We help owners compare buyers and find the best fit for their records. See what your data is worth.
Common questions
Can an engineering company sell CAD files to AI companies?
Yes, for designs the company owns. Published buyer requirements want full multi-part assemblies in native CAD with feature trees, plus drawings, bills of materials and test results.
How much do AI companies pay for CAD data?
Published buyer ranges run $45K to $1.3M, depending on assembly count and completeness.
Which CAD systems qualify?
Buyers name SolidWorks PDM, PTC Creo, Siemens NX, Autodesk Fusion and Onshape, Altium and KiCad for circuit boards, and ANSYS for simulation.
Can a contract manufacturer license customer drawings?
No. Designs owned by customers are excluded. A contract manufacturer's own fixtures, tooling designs and process records may still qualify.
Sources and further reading
Origin Data Partners is independent and not affiliated with any buyer named on this page.