What determines CNC machining
What determines CNC machining cost?
CN cost?
CNC machining cost is primarily determined by theseC machining cost is primarily determined by these factors:
-
>Material — raw material cost and
- Material — raw material cost and machinability
- Geometry — complexity affects machining time>
- Geometry — complexity affects machining time
- Tolerance — tighter tolerances increase
- Tolerance — tighter tolerances increase cost
- Quantity cost
- Quantity — per-part cost decreases with volume — per-part cost decreases with volume
- Secondary operations — surface treatment,
- Secondary operations — surface treatment, plating, heat treatment plating, heat
Engineering Note
Engineering Note
Setup and programming costs are fixed per>Setup and programming costs are fixed per order. This is why per-part cost drops significantly as order. This is why per-part cost drops significantly as quantity increases.
quantity increases.
Material cost comparison
Material cost comparison
Material
Material Relative Cost Machinability Machinability
Aluminum 6061 Aluminum 6061 Low> Low Excellent St Excellent Stainless 303 Medium Good Brass C360 >Medium Good Brass C360 Medium Excellent Excellent
Stainless 316 High Fair Stainless 316 High Fair Titanium Grade 5 High Fairtd> Titanium Grade 5 High Fair PEEK High Good
>
PEEK High Good
Buyer Tip
Aluminum 6061 is
Buyer Tip
Aluminum 6061 is often the most cost-effective often the most cost-effective material for prototyping due material for prototyping due to its low cost and excellent machinability.
to its low cost and excellent machinability.
Typical cost ranges
div>
Typical cost ranges
Part Type Part Type Prototype (>Prototype (1-10 pcs) Production (100+ pcs) Production (100+ pcs)
Simple aluminum bracket $50–$150 Simple aluminum bracket$50–$150 $5–$15 $5–$15 Complex aluminum housing $150–$500 <>Complex aluminum housing$150–$500 $15–$50 Stainless steel shaft$15–$50 Stainless steel shaft $100–$300 $> $100–$300 $10–$30 Sw10–$30 Swiss-turned brass pin $50–$100 $2iss-turned brass pin $50–$100 $2–$8 Titanium–$8 Titanium medical component $300–$800 $40–$100 medical component $300–$800
Commonakes">
Common Mistakes
Mistakes
Applying the same tight tolerance to every dimension. This adds cost without functional
Applying the same tight tolerance to every dimension. This adds cost without functional benefit. Specify tighter tolerances only where required benefit. Specify tighter tolerances only where required.
.
How to get a more accurate quote
How to get a>
- Send more accurate quote
- Send a 3D CAD file in a 3D CAD file in STEP or IGES format
- Specify material grade (e.g., 6061-T6, not just STEP or IGES format
- Specify material grade (e.g., 6061-T6, aluminum)
not just aluminum)
- Provide quantity and delivery requirements
- Indicate critical
- Provide quantity and delivery requirements
- Indicate critical tolerances and surface finish requirements
- tolerances and surface finish requirements
- ListList any secondary operations any secondary operations needed
needed
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does-item">
How CNC machining cost per hour?
Machine rates much does CNC machining cost per hour?
< vary by region. In China, typical rates are $30–$60 per hour. Inp>Machine rates vary by region. In China, typical rates are $30–$60 the US/Europe, rates are $75–$150 per hour.
How>
How can I reduce CNC machining cost?
can I reduce CNC machining cost?
Reduce complexity
Reduce complexity, use standard materials, use standard materials, avoid tight tolerances where not required, and increase quantity.
>
Is aluminum cheaper than stainless steel?
Is aluminum cheaper than stainless steel?
Yes. Aluminum 6061 is typically cheaper than>
Yes. Aluminum 6061 is typically cheaper than stainless steel, both stainless steel, both in raw material cost and machining time.
Need help2>Need help reducing machining cost?
reducing machining cost?
Upload your drawing for a free cost reduction
Upload your drawing for a free cost reduction review — we'll recommend review — we'll recommend design changes design changes to lower your part cost.
Upload Your CAD File="/contact-us/" class="btn">Upload Your CAD File
What determines CNC machining cost?
CN cost?
CNC machining cost is primarily determined by theseC machining cost is primarily determined by these factors:
-
>Material — raw material cost and
- Material — raw material cost and machinability
- Geometry — complexity affects machining time>
- Geometry — complexity affects machining time
- Tolerance — tighter tolerances increase
- Tolerance — tighter tolerances increase cost
- Quantity cost
- Quantity — per-part cost decreases with volume — per-part cost decreases with volume
- Secondary operations — surface treatment,
- Secondary operations — surface treatment, plating, heat treatment plating, heat
Setup and programming costs are fixed per>Setup and programming costs are fixed per order. This is why per-part cost drops significantly as order. This is why per-part cost drops significantly as quantity increases.
Material cost comparison
Material cost comparison
| Material |
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PEEK | High | Good |
Aluminum 6061 is
Aluminum 6061 is often the most cost-effective often the most cost-effective material for prototyping due material for prototyping due to its low cost and excellent machinability.
to its low cost and excellent machinability.Typical cost ranges
| Part Type | Part Type | Prototype (>Prototype (1-10 pcs) | Production (100+ pcs) | Production (100+ pcs) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Simple aluminum bracket | $50–$150 | Simple aluminum bracket$50–$150 | $5–$15 | |
| $5–$15 | ||||
| Complex aluminum housing | $150–$500 | <>Complex aluminum housing$150–$500 | $15–$50 | |
| Stainless steel shaft$15–$50 | ||||
| Stainless steel shaft | $100–$300 | $> | $100–$300 | $10–$30 |
| Sw10–$30 | ||||
| Swiss-turned brass pin | $50–$100 | $2iss-turned brass pin | $50–$100 | $2–$8 |
| Titanium–$8 | ||||
| Titanium medical component | $300–$800 | $40–$100 medical component | $300–$800 |
Applying the same tight tolerance to every dimension. This adds cost without functional
Applying the same tight tolerance to every dimension. This adds cost without functional benefit. Specify tighter tolerances only where required benefit. Specify tighter tolerances only where required.
. How to get a more accurate quote
How to get a>- Send more accurate quote
- Send a 3D CAD file in a 3D CAD file in STEP or IGES format
- Specify material grade (e.g., 6061-T6, not just STEP or IGES format
- Specify material grade (e.g., 6061-T6, aluminum) not just aluminum)
- Provide quantity and delivery requirements
- Indicate critical
- Provide quantity and delivery requirements
- Indicate critical tolerances and surface finish requirements
- tolerances and surface finish requirements
- ListList any secondary operations any secondary operations needed needed
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does-item">
How CNC machining cost per hour?
Machine rates much does CNC machining cost per hour? < vary by region. In China, typical rates are $30–$60 per hour. Inp>Machine rates vary by region. In China, typical rates are $30–$60 the US/Europe, rates are $75–$150 per hour.
How>
How can I reduce CNC machining cost?
can I reduce CNC machining cost?
Reduce complexity
Reduce complexity, use standard materials, use standard materials, avoid tight tolerances where not required, and increase quantity.
>
Is aluminum cheaper than stainless steel?
Is aluminum cheaper than stainless steel?
Yes. Aluminum 6061 is typically cheaper than>
Yes. Aluminum 6061 is typically cheaper than stainless steel, both stainless steel, both in raw material cost and machining time.
How can I reduce CNC machining cost?
can I reduce CNC machining cost?Reduce complexity
Reduce complexity, use standard materials, use standard materials, avoid tight tolerances where not required, and increase quantity.
Is aluminum cheaper than stainless steel?
Is aluminum cheaper than stainless steel?Yes. Aluminum 6061 is typically cheaper than>
Yes. Aluminum 6061 is typically cheaper than stainless steel, both stainless steel, both in raw material cost and machining time.
Need help2>Need help reducing machining cost?
reducing machining cost?Upload your drawing for a free cost reduction
Upload your drawing for a free cost reduction review — we'll recommend review — we'll recommend design changes design changes to lower your part cost.
Upload Your CAD File="/contact-us/" class="btn">Upload Your CAD File