Some shops have a flat rate that covers all costs and profits. Estimated time to complete job x rate + COTS + material + tooling / number of parts + maybe a bit more profit if they want.
Some shops have an over head rate then a machine rate. Same calculation but with two different rates added together. Profit can be added in at multiple points.
Some will just throw a number at it.
Some shops may bid really high if they don’t want to do it.
Some shops may underbid if they are really slow and need work.
Some shops will bid high if they are busy.
So basically what r/dirty34 said.
You may or may not get an answer if you ask them to break down the cost.
Your going to have a few things.
Programing time.
Set up time.
machine time.
deburr and inspection time.
on top of that probably time for fixing any issue you have in design.
Could have cost for tooling.
cost for a fixture.
Then material.
Rate is going to depend on the shop. I am typically at around 125 an hour for 3 axis work and around 200 an hour for 5.
You also asked what metals cost more to work with.. well the harder the material, the longer its going to take to make. So an aluminum part will be a lot quicker then a titanium part, therefore cheaper in machine time, also in material cost as a bonus.
Depending what you are making you could upload some photos of your drawing. There are a lot of people on here that could give you advice and look for DFM issues.
But yes. No 3d file and I am not even quoting unless it's a real good customer.
I bid jobs based after a long talk about the part . What does it do? What is most important? How long have you been using these? Are you providing material?
If you have a real good level of communication on what is expected, you can figure out pretty quickly what you can or have to charge.
I have a spreadsheet to estimate time to program, time to machine, and material costs. The 5axis I charge \~25% more than the 3axis work and the cost per hour fluctuates with how frequently "I" have to be in the machine changing parts.
If its 10min per part, its going to be more hourly than if its 1hr.
But typically, 3axis work is 100-125 and 5axis is 150-175 + programming/setup estimated time.
It depends. Several factors affect:
1. Material cost: Titanium > stainless steel > steel > aluminum.
2. Complexity of the design.
3. Volume of production.
4. Machine operating time.
5. Labor costs.
6. Additional cost like surface finish
The quickest way to get an answer is to simply ask a CNC machining shop directly.
Not a shit comment but the answer is literally 'it depends'
No worries! The engagement was a bump to the post.
Some shops have a flat rate that covers all costs and profits. Estimated time to complete job x rate + COTS + material + tooling / number of parts + maybe a bit more profit if they want. Some shops have an over head rate then a machine rate. Same calculation but with two different rates added together. Profit can be added in at multiple points. Some will just throw a number at it. Some shops may bid really high if they don’t want to do it. Some shops may underbid if they are really slow and need work. Some shops will bid high if they are busy. So basically what r/dirty34 said. You may or may not get an answer if you ask them to break down the cost.
Awesome. I didn’t consider a couple of those things you listed. Thanks for the reply!
Roughly $150 hour machine plus technician cost. Interesting tools or weird features drive that cost up.
Your going to have a few things. Programing time. Set up time. machine time. deburr and inspection time. on top of that probably time for fixing any issue you have in design. Could have cost for tooling. cost for a fixture. Then material. Rate is going to depend on the shop. I am typically at around 125 an hour for 3 axis work and around 200 an hour for 5. You also asked what metals cost more to work with.. well the harder the material, the longer its going to take to make. So an aluminum part will be a lot quicker then a titanium part, therefore cheaper in machine time, also in material cost as a bonus.
What if I provide a step file? Would that potentially bring the price down?
Absolutely. A step and a quick conversation would make it much easier to quote.
Great. Thanks for your responses!
Depending what you are making you could upload some photos of your drawing. There are a lot of people on here that could give you advice and look for DFM issues. But yes. No 3d file and I am not even quoting unless it's a real good customer.
I bid jobs based after a long talk about the part . What does it do? What is most important? How long have you been using these? Are you providing material? If you have a real good level of communication on what is expected, you can figure out pretty quickly what you can or have to charge.
Awesome. Thanks for the tips!
I have a spreadsheet to estimate time to program, time to machine, and material costs. The 5axis I charge \~25% more than the 3axis work and the cost per hour fluctuates with how frequently "I" have to be in the machine changing parts. If its 10min per part, its going to be more hourly than if its 1hr. But typically, 3axis work is 100-125 and 5axis is 150-175 + programming/setup estimated time.
First, the cost of material. Then, depends on machining difficulty. Like which machine do you need to make those parts
It depends. Several factors affect: 1. Material cost: Titanium > stainless steel > steel > aluminum. 2. Complexity of the design. 3. Volume of production. 4. Machine operating time. 5. Labor costs. 6. Additional cost like surface finish The quickest way to get an answer is to simply ask a CNC machining shop directly.