---
title: "Find alternative manufacturing processes that can substitute for a given process under constraints."
method: POST
path: "/tools/find_alternative_processes"
---

# Find alternative manufacturing processes that can substitute for a given process under constraints.

`POST /tools/find_alternative_processes`

## Request

- Base URL: `https://api.mechanofab.com/v1`
- URL: `https://api.mechanofab.com/v1/tools/find_alternative_processes`
- Auth: HTTP bearer

Use when the user asks 'what can replace FDM for this part?', 'alternative to CNC for low volumes?', or needs to switch process due to lead time / cost / material constraints.

## Request body

- object
  - `process_id` string, required
  - `material_id` string: Optional: filter alternatives compatible with this material.
  - `constraints` object
    - `max_lead_days` number
    - `cost_tier` 'low' | 'medium' | 'high'
    - `min_build_volume_cm3` number

## Response `200`

Tool result

- object
  - `source_process` string, required
  - `alternatives` object[], required
    - `process_id` string
    - `process_name` string
    - `pros` string[]
    - `cons` string[]
    - `suitability_score` number
  - `source_tag` string, required

## Other responses

- `400`: Invalid request/input.
- `401`: Missing/invalid credentials.
- `402`: Insufficient credits.
- `403`: Scope/tool forbidden.
- `404`: Unknown resource.
- `409`: Idempotency conflict.
- `429`: Rate limited.
- `503`: Control plane / runtime unavailable.

---

[API](https://skmtc.dev/mechanofab/apis/mechanofab-api.md) · [All operations](https://skmtc.dev/mechanofab/apis/mechanofab-api/llms.txt) · [OpenAPI document](https://skmtc.dev/mechanofab/apis/mechanofab-api/revisions/5945a6fad621?raw)