CNC machining is a machining technology widely used in modern industry. The CNC machine tool controls the movement trajectory of the tool to process the workpiece. With the advancement of industrial intelligence, more and more companies are beginning to adopt CNC machining technology and formulate corresponding quotation strategies. So, what information is needed in the process of CNC machining quotation? In this blog, LS will take you to an in-depth discussion of the various information required in the CNC machining quotation process to help readers better understand and apply this knowledge.
What Information Is Needed for a CNC Machining Quote?
To receive an accurate CNC machining quote, it’s important to provide the following information:
| Information | Description |
| Part Design Files | Submit CAD files (such as STEP, IGES, or STL) to ensure the part can be accurately machined. The files should clearly indicate dimensions, tolerances, and any special features. |
| Material Requirements | Clearly specify the type of material (e.g., aluminum, stainless steel, plastic) and any grade or specifications (e.g., 6061 aluminum, 316 stainless steel) that the part should be made from. |
| Quantity | Provide the number of parts you need. Bulk orders can often reduce the price per unit, while one-off parts may have a higher cost. |
| Surface Finishes | If your part requires any surface treatments such as anodizing, painting, or coating, make sure to include that information in your request. |
| Tolerance and Specifications | Define any critical tolerances your part must meet. Tight tolerances usually require more precise machining and can increase the cost. |
| Lead Time | Let the supplier know your desired lead time or delivery deadline. Shorter lead times might result in additional charges |
What Should Be Included in CNC Machining Quote Requests?
In the CNC machining quotation request, the following key contents should be clearly included:
- Specific geometry and dimensions of the part: Detailed information on the shape, size and any unique features of the part, such as holes, grooves or threads, are required to ensure machining accuracy.
- Material and alloy types: Clearly indicate the types of materials or alloys required and ensure they meet the functional requirements of the part. It’s worth noting that some specialty materials, such as titanium, may require more specialized tools and equipment for processing.
- Production Quantity: Clearly state the scale of production required, whether it is a low-volume pilot, prototype, or large-scale series production. Production quantities have a direct impact on price as economies of scale come into play.
- Post-processing requirements: If the parts require additional processing steps, such as heat treatment, deburring or assembly, please be sure to state this in advance to avoid unnecessary misunderstandings or additional costs later.
- Finishing and Coating Options: Clearly outline the required surface finishing or coating treatments, such as painting, polishing or anodizing, as these can add to processing costs and time.
Why Do CNC Machining Quotes Vary?
The difference in CNC machining quotations may be due to the following key factors:
Material type
Different materials vary in difficulty and cost to process. For example, advanced materials like titanium or Inconel tend to be more difficult to machine than aluminum or steel, may require the use of specialized tools, and are more costly.
Case 1: Suppose there are two parts of exactly the same size that need to be processed, one of which is made of aluminum (6061) and the other is made of titanium alloy (Ti-6Al-4V).
Case 1:
Aluminum 6061 is easy to process, has low tool wear and fast processing speed, so the overall cost is relatively low. Titanium alloy Ti-6Al-4V, due to its high hardness, low thermal conductivity and other characteristics, requires the use of specific tools and reduced cutting speed during processing, which results in extended processing time and increased tool wear. Therefore, the quotation of titanium alloy parts is usually significantly higher than that of aluminum parts, and sometimes it may even reach 2-3 times the quotation of aluminum parts.
Part complexity has an impact on machining time and cost
For parts with complex geometries, tight tolerances, or multi-axis machining, machining time and costs increase accordingly.
Case 2:
Suppose you need to machine two types of parts: one is a simple square, and the other is a part with complex curved surfaces, thin-walled structures, and multiple precision holes. How do you determine whether these parts can be machined using CNC methods? In the process of processing simple blocks, only a few basic steps are required and the time required is relatively short. Under the premise of ensuring accuracy, ordinary lathes or CNC milling machines can be used for rough machining, or CNC wire cutting machines can be selected for finishing.However, when processing complex parts, multi-axis CNC machine tools are required, which involves a long programming cycle, multiple clamping and inspection steps, and may even require custom-made specific fixtures, which will directly increase processing costs. In addition, if a part needs to be processed in two or more processes at the same time, the utilization rate of the machine tool will decrease, thereby reducing the production efficiency of the enterprise. Therefore, the quote for a complex part may be five times or more higher than a simple part.
Assessment of delivery time and urgency
If you prefer a shorter delivery time, our quote will take into account the cost of emergency response, as well as additional labor and equipment configuration charges.
Case 3:
If you have a set of parts to process, the usual delivery time is 2 weeks, but if you expect it to be completed within 3 days, the actual situation will be different. Because customers require early delivery, the factory is unable to deliver on time, which means additional time costs will be paid, and delayed delivery will reduce these time costs. Within the stipulated delivery time, the factory has the ability to reasonably plan the production process, thereby improving the work efficiency of the machine. For urgent orders, the factory may need to re-plan its production process and may even need to work overtime to complete it, which will undoubtedly lead to an increase in human resources and a loss of machinery.In addition, because customers require early delivery in expedited orders, it will bring additional losses to the company. Therefore, the quotation for urgent orders may be 20%-50% higher than that of regular orders.
Post-processing and finishing
Additional process steps, such as coating addition, heat treatment or assembly, will have an impact on the final price and time required for the order.
Case 4:
If you need to process a batch of stainless steel parts, some of the parts only require ordinary surface finshing, while others require electroplating and heat treatment. Common surface finshing, such as sandblasting or polishing, are relatively inexpensive. However, electroplating and heat treatment require additional process steps, equipment and time, which will significantly increase costs. Therefore, the quotation of parts requiring electroplating and heat treatment may be 30%-100% higher than that of parts with ordinary surface treatment.
How Does CNC Machining Work for Quoting?
CNC machining includes a plurality of procedures for manufacturing components from the supplied material:
- CAD model establishment: In CNC machining, the 3D CAD model should be designed and established. Next, the model is converted into machine instructions through CAM (computer-aided manufacturing) software.
- Material selection: When the model is ready, the mechanic will choose the appropriate material. Use CNC equipment to cut the material to achieve the required shape and size.
- Processing operation: using different techniques of milling, turning or drilling. Whether the machining operation is accurate is determined according to the design and specifications of the parts.
- Finishing: After processing, the parts may need post-processing such as surface finishing, polishing or coating.
- Inspection and quality control: after the parts are processed, they will be inspected to ensure that the parts meet the required tolerance and specifications. This step is the key to ensuring that the parts meet your quality expectations.
Case study: LS quote CNC machining parts
Assume that the customer xx wants to carry out complex CNC machining parts, its specific requirements are
- The design of the CAD model needs to start from scratch, and the total design cost is 500 yuan.
- Materials: The cost of the required materials is RMB 200 yuan.
- Processing process: for complex curved surface and multi-axis processing, the required processing time is 8 hours, and the total cost is 1,600 yuan.
- Finishing: electroplating operation, the cost is 100 yuan.
- Detection: high-precision detection, the cost of 50 yuan.
- Total quotation: 500 (design) + 200 (material) + 1600 (processing) + 100 (finishing) + 50 (testing) =2450 yuan.
What Factors Influence the CNC Machining Quote?
CNC machining quotations are affected by many factors. The factors that affect CNC machining quotations mainly include the following points:
- Part geometry:As the complexity of parts increases, processing time, tooling and precision requirements increase, and costs increase. Example: Customizing complex automotive parts requires advanced programming and precise tool path planning. Frequent tool changes increase processing time and costs, so CNC machining machine will increase their quotations to compensate for the additional costs.
- Material selection:Material selection affects CNC machining costs as it relates to processability, availability and price differences. For example, titanium alloys are used to make precision components. Although they have high hardness and are corrosion-resistant, they are difficult to process and require special tools and high cutting speeds, as well as high raw material prices. Therefore, CNC machining machine will adjust their quotations based on their processing difficulty and raw material costs.
- Production scale: The larger the order quantity, the lower the unit price because the cost can be amortized. For example, processing 1,000 metal buttons can optimize the process and reduce costs, and CNC machining machine often provide preferential quotes.
- Tolerance requirements: The tighter the tolerance, the higher the processing accuracy, which increases processing time and equipment costs. For example, high-precision aerospace components require precise measurement equipment and complex processes, and CNC machining machine will increase their quotations based on demand.
- Surface finishing and coatings: Special needs affect final price and processing time. For example, mirror finish and anti-rust paint require special polishing processes and additional coating equipment time, and CNC machining machine will adjust their quotations accordingly.
- Delivery Time: Rush orders incur a higher cost for faster turnaround time. If it is completed within a week, the CNC machining machine may adjust the production plan, increase overtime and labor costs, use efficient equipment, and increase the quotation accordingly.
How to choose a suitable CNC machining quotation service provider?
Steps to choose a suitable CNC machining quotation service provider:
- Clarify requirements: Define part size, material, quantity, accuracy, surface finish, delivery time, etc., and select matching service providers.
- Research background: Check the service provider’s history, experience, and professional fields, and select those with a good reputation and successful cases.
- Inspect equipment technology: Understand the CNC equipment model, brand, and technical level to ensure processing quality and efficiency.
- Evaluate quotation costs: Compare the prices, delivery times, and payment terms of multiple service providers, and comprehensively consider quality, service, and value.
- Communication service: In-depth understanding of the service provider’s service process, delivery guarantee, after-sales support, and problem-solving capabilities, and choose those who respond promptly, provide professional advice, and provide quality service.
- Visit the factory: See the production environment, equipment conditions, and employee skills in person to gain an intuitive understanding.
- Reference case evaluation: View service provider cases and customer reviews to understand processing quality and customer satisfaction.
Choose LS, turning drawings into parts is no longer a dream
LS ensures the quality of your CNC machined parts with a quality management system certified by ISO 9001:2015, ISO 9001:14001 and IATF16949. Featuring advanced 4- and 5-axis CNC machining centers. Our precision CNC machining offers rapid prototyping, low-volume machining and high-volume production. Whether you need CNC machining services for prototyping, production, or rework, we’re here to help.
With our expertise and industry-leading technology, we can provide you with the highest quality online CNC parts and the best CNC machining services. Choose LS, and we will use our exquisite craftsmanship to accurately transform your drawings into real and tangible physical parts. Don’t hesitate to click on the image below to start our quote journey!
Conclusion
CNC machining quotations need to comprehensively consider multiple factors such as part drawings, material selection, processing requirements, production quantity, delivery time, and geographical location. In order to ensure the accuracy and reasonableness of the quotation, CNC machining service providers usually communicate with customers in detail to fully understand their needs and expectations. Only in this way can we provide customers with high-quality, efficient and reasonably priced CNC machining services.
Contact us now to get exclusive CNC machining solutions!
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Disclaimer
The content appearing on this webpage is for informational purposes only. LS makes no representation or warranty of any kind, be it expressed or implied, as to the accuracy, completeness, or validity of the information. Any performance parameters, geometric tolerances, specific design features, quality and types of materials, or processes should not be inferred to represent what will be delivered by third-party suppliers or manufacturers through LS’s network. Buyers seeking quotes for parts are responsible for defining the specific requirements for those parts. Please contact to our for more information.
Team LongSheng
This article was written by various LS contributors. LS is a leading resource on manufacturing with CNC machining, sheet metal fabrication, 3D printing, injection molding,metal stamping and more.
FAQs
What is the basic information about CNC?
CNC (Computer Numerical Control) is a technology that uses pre-programmed computer software to control machine tools for automated processing. It makes the processing process more precise and efficient, and can realize the processing of complex shapes. CNC technology is widely used in metal cutting, metal forming, 3D printing and other fields.
What are the key elements required for CNC machining?
First of all, CNC machine tools are indispensable. They are equipped with advanced CNC control systems that can accurately execute preset processing programs and realize automated operations. Secondly, processing materials are equally important. They are usually raw materials to be processed, covering various materials such as metals and plastics. Furthermore, the selection of cutting tools is also crucial. As the core tool for cutting or forming, it must be carefully selected according to specific processing needs. In addition, the CNC program is the core instruction that guides the entire processing process. It is carefully compiled by CAD/CAM software to accurately control every movement and processing path of the machine tool. Finally, auxiliary equipment such as fixtures, measuring tools, etc. are also indispensable. They are used to stably fix the workpiece and accurately measure the processing accuracy to ensure the reliability of processing quality.
How to estimate CNC machining time?
When estimating CNC machining time, it is necessary to comprehensively consider the design complexity of the part, the physical properties of the material, the adaptation type of the tool, and the setting of cutting parameters. On this basis, advanced CAD/CAM software can be used to simulate the processing process to intuitively predict the required time; or, based on rich historical processing data, accurate empirical formulas can be used to estimate time to ensure the accuracy and efficiency of the processing plan.
What are CNC machining details?
CNC machining details refer to a series of links that require special attention and fine control during the CNC (computer numerical control) machining process to ensure machining accuracy, surface quality and production efficiency. These details include but are not limited to tool path planning, cutting parameter setting, fixture selection and design, coolant use, workpiece positioning and clamping, monitoring and adjustment during processing, and inspection and post-processing after processing. By strictly controlling these details, the quality and efficiency of CNC machining can be significantly improved.
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