What to Expect in a CNC Machining Quote？

In the manufacturing industry, CNC (computer numerical control) machining is an efficient and precise processing method, which is widely used in processing parts of various metals, plastics and other materials. When customers require CNC machining services, understanding the specific content of the quotation is crucial to the cooperation between the two parties. This article will detail what is typically included in a CNC machining quote to help you better understand and evaluate machining costs.

What to Expect in a CNC Machining Quote？

What should be included in the CNC machining quotation does need to be comprehensive and detailed to ensure that the customer can fully understand the various costs in the machining process. Here’s a closer look at the basic details that should be included in a CNC machining quote:

• Material cost: This refers to the total price of the raw materials required to manufacture the part, including the purchase price of the material, shipping costs, and any possible material loss charges.
• Machining time: Machining time refers to the total time required to complete the processing of the part, which usually affects the processing cost, because the cost of using the machine tool (such as labor, equipment depreciation, electricity bills, etc.) is directly related to time. Machining time should be estimated based on the complexity of the part design, machining accuracy requirements, and machine tool performance.
• Mold and setup costs: This includes all costs involved in preparing the CNC machine, such as the cost of preparing or purchasing the mold, setting up and debugging the fixture, etc. For processes that require specific molds or fixtures, this cost can be significant.
• Post-processing cost: Post-processing cost refers to the additional process costs required after the parts are processed, such as coating, painting, heat treatment, polishing or assembly, etc. These post-processing processes can improve a part’s performance, appearance or meet specific usage requirements and should be clearly stated in the quote.
• Lead Time: Lead time is the total time it takes from the time an order is accepted until the part is processed and delivered. This helps customers understand the processing progress and arrange production plans, so it should be clearly stated in the quotation.
• Quantity discounts: Quantity discounts refer to price concessions based on order quantity. Typically, larger orders result in lower unit costs because batch production spreads fixed costs and increases production efficiency. Therefore, the quantity discount policy and calculation method should be clearly stated in the quotation.

LS: Parts being precision processed

Suppose LS has a customer who needs to produce 500 aluminum alloy parts. After evaluation, LS’s quotation is as follows:

1. Material cost:

• Material: Aluminum alloy 6061
• Material cost per part:￥10
• Total material cost: 500 × 10 = ￥5000

2. Processing time:

• Machining time per part: 10 minutes
• Machine cost per hour:￥150
• Can process 6 parts per hour (60 minutes ÷ 10 minutes/piece)
• Processing cost of each part: ￥150 ÷ ​​6 = ￥25
• Total processing time cost: 500 × 25 = ￥12500

3. Mold and installation costs:

• Molding fee: ￥2000 (applicable to all 500 parts)
• Installation fixture and debugging: ￥500
• Total mold and installation cost: ￥2000 + 500 = ￥2500

4. Post-processing costs:

• Coating treatment (anodizing):￥5 per part
• Total post-processing cost: 500 × 5 = ￥2500

5. Delivery time:

• Customer needs delivery within 10 days
• Expedited fee: 10% surcharge (for shorter delivery times, the service provider charges an expedited fee)
• Delivery cycle cost: ￥12500 × 10% = ￥1250

6. Quantity discount:

• The standard price is ￥100 for single part processing (excluding other costs)
• Based on the order quantity (500 pieces), a discount of RMB 5 per unit will be given.
• Total discount: 500 × 5 = ￥2500

Final quote:

￥5000 (material) + ￥12500 (processing) + ￥2500 (mold and installation) + ￥2500 (post-processing) + ￥1250 (expedited delivery) – ￥2500 (quantity discount) = ￥19000

 What Factors Impact CNC Machining Prices?

There are many factors that affect CNC machining costs, including:

Type of materials used

Using rare or special materials can lead to an increase in overall costs. Additionally, this is more common with products that require the use of expensive tooling and complex manufacturing techniques. Taking ordinary materials (such as aluminum alloy 6061) as an example, their manufacturing costs are relatively low, but for special materials (such as titanium alloys or nickel-based high-temperature alloys), their prices will increase significantly. For example, the cost of manufacturing a titanium alloy part for aviation use may be 3-5 times that of an aluminum alloy part of the same design. This is because titanium alloy is more difficult to cut and the tool wears faster.

Part complexity

The complexity of a design (such as multiple axes and complex properties) often drives up its price. For a simple square part, it may only require 2-axis machining, so the cost will be relatively low; for a complex turbine blade, it may require 5-axis CNC machining, which will not only take longer to process, but also the programming and setup will become more complex, resulting in a higher price. In addition, processing costs must be reduced if high-quality products are to be produced. For example, making a complex curved part may take 10 hours, while for a simple part, it only takes 1 hour.

Tolerances and Accuracy

As machines run longer and are configured more delicately, the cost of parts that require high precision or tight tolerances will increase. Therefore, in some special fields, such as medicine, products that have strict requirements on these precisions can choose some simple but very important tolerances to meet their needs. For an ordinary mechanical component, the tolerance standard is ±0.1mm, which means that its manufacturing cost is relatively low; on the other hand, if the dimensional accuracy of the part is very high, special fixtures must be used to achieve the required accuracy, which is a big challenge for machining personnel.

For a high-precision medical component, the tolerance standard is ±0.01mm.This can mean multiple measurements and adjustments, resulting in longer cycle times and higher costs. In this case, if you want to improve production efficiency, you must reduce the production cost of the product. For example, the cost of producing precision optical components may be 2-3 times that of general components.

Quantity

Large-scale orders usually result in lower unit prices, while small-scale or personalized orders may increase the production cost of each part. In bulk purchasing, how to determine the price of each part has become the focus of attention for enterprises. The cost of manufacturing a custom part may be 100 yuan, but when 1,000 identical parts are manufactured in batches, this price may drop to 20 yuan.

In mass production, the total cost of one part is equal to the cost of other parts, but because the batch size is different and the time required is different, the cost per hour will vary. This is mainly due to large-scale production which spreads the costs of programming, configuration and machine start-up.

Post-processing

Delicate processing steps like heat treating, anodizing and painting can lead to higher costs. As a result, some companies are looking for new ways to reduce the waste generated in these processes. Machining parts using regular CNC may only require burr removal, which reduces costs; for those parts that require anodizing (such as the casing of a mobile phone) or heat treatment (such as gears), this results in more work steps and increased costs.

In some cases, these processes are expensive or even uneconomical. For example, through the anodizing process, the production cost of parts may increase by 20%-30%.

scheduled delivery date

Rush orders often result in higher costs due to their urgency. The regular order delivery cycle is 2 weeks, and the price is normal; for those urgent orders that need to be completed within 3 days, you may need to pay an additional 30%-50% because the factory must re-plan its production process and give priority to it.

How to Request an Accurate CNC Machining Quote？

In the high-precision manufacturing industry, getting an accurate CNC machining quote is one of the key factors in ensuring your project goes smoothly. To ensure that the quote you provide is accurate, here are a few key steps and suggestions:

1. We provide detailed part drawings to ensure the clarity and accuracy of the drawings, which include all key information of the parts, such as dimensions, tolerances, material specifications and surface finish, etc. The accuracy of the quote is directly affected by the level of detail in the drawings.
2. Regarding the specified materials and surface treatments, it is necessary to clarify the various materials required for parts manufacturing, such as aluminum alloys, stainless steel, and plastics. Please describe in detail all necessary surface treatment steps such as anodizing, coating, polishing, etc. Choosing the right materials and surface treatments can have a significant impact on the cost of the mold and the final quote.
3. Be clear about quantities and delivery dates,Set the quantity for the order, as larger batches have the potential to reduce production costs per part, and provide any final delivery dates or delivery times required, as there may be additional value in speeding up production.
4. When evaluating the machining complexity and precision requirements of a part, we need to consider the impact that these factors may have on the time and cost of machining. For complex parts, more sophisticated tooling and longer manufacturing cycles may be required, which may result in higher costs.
5. Communicate with suppliers, ensure in-depth communication with CNC machining suppliers, so that they have a full understanding of the needs and expectations of parts, and ask suppliers about processing capabilities, equipment status and experience to ensure that they can meet the processing requirements of parts.
6. Collect and compare quotations, submit part drawings and requirements to multiple CNC machining suppliers to obtain their quotations, and then compare the quotations, delivery time, quality and service levels of different suppliers in order to make the best choice.
7. Verify the specific content of the quotation. Before finalizing the quotation, be sure to verify every detail in the quotation with the supplier and understand whether the quotation covers the cost of materials, processing fees, surface treatment fees and other potential additional costs.

 How Long Does It Take to Receive a CNC Machining Quote?

The time to receive a CNC machining quote varies depending on the complexity of the project.

Project	Description
Typical time frame	Usually takes a few hours to a few days. The processing company needs to review the information you provide, including drawings, tolerance requirements, quantities, post-processing requirements, etc., and then give a detailed quotation based on this.
Complex Project Time	If the project requires complex tooling or special materials, quote lead times may be longer. This is because machining companies need more time to purchase materials, design tools, or adjust production processes to meet your specific needs

Therefore, in order to obtain an accurate quotation as soon as possible, it is recommended that you provide as detailed and accurate information as possible and maintain good communication with the processing company so that they can evaluate and give a reply in a timely manner. At the same time, it is also necessary to understand that complex projects may require more time for quotation preparation, wait patiently and arrange the production plan reasonably.

Why Are CNC Machining Services Priced Differently?

Prices for CNC machining services vary, and the main reasons can be attributed to the following points:

1. Machine type: High-end or specialized CNC machines that can handle more complex parts and materials have higher technology and maintenance costs, and therefore higher rates.
2. Production volume: When producing small batches, the cost of each part will be relatively high because fixed installation costs (such as programming, equipment debugging, etc.) need to be spread over fewer parts. Large-scale production can spread these fixed costs more efficiently, thus lowering unit prices.
3. Geographic location: Labor costs, administrative expenses, and material supply costs may differ in different regions. These factors will directly affect the overall price of CNC machining services.
4. Service level: Some processing services may provide additional support and services, such as design assistance, technical consultation, after-sales support, etc. These value-added services will increase the overall cost of the service, but can also provide customers with a better experience and more comprehensive solutions.

Choose LS. Enjoy great discounts

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.

Conclusion

CNC machining quotation is a process that comprehensively considers many factors. By understanding the components and calculation methods of CNC machining quotations, manufacturers can provide customers with more accurate and reasonable quotations. At the same time, customers can also evaluate the manufacturer’s strength and service level based on the quotation content, thereby making more informed decisions. In the future field of CNC machining, with the continuous advancement of technology and the continuous changes of the market, quotation methods and methods will also be constantly innovated and improved.

Contact us now to get exclusive CNC machining solutions!
📞 Phone: +86 185 6675 9667
📧 Email: info@longshengmfg.com
🌐 Website: https://www.longshengmfg.com/

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 LS

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

1. How to calculate CNC machining cost?

CNC machining costs usually include equipment depreciation, labor costs, material costs, tool and consumable costs, post-processing costs (such as heat treatment, surface treatment, etc.), management fees, and profits. When making specific calculations, each cost needs to be accumulated item by item based on the actual processing conditions. Equipment depreciation is calculated based on the original value and depreciation life of the equipment, labor costs are calculated based on the operator’s salary and benefits, material costs are calculated based on the unit price and volume of materials used, tool and consumable costs are calculated based on actual usage, post-processing fees are calculated based on specific post-processing technology, management fees include site rent, water and electricity fees, etc., and profits are determined based on market conditions and competition.

2. How much does CNC machining cost per hour?

The hourly cost of CNC machining varies depending on equipment type, processing difficulty, regional differences, material types and other factors, and a unified standard cannot be given. Generally speaking, the hourly processing cost of ordinary CNC equipment may range from tens to hundreds of yuan, while the hourly processing cost of high-end or special CNC equipment may be higher.

3. How much does CNC cutting cost per hour?

The hourly cost of CNC cutting is also affected by many factors, such as equipment type, cutting material, cutting thickness, cutting speed, etc. Therefore, a specific hourly cost cannot be given. Generally speaking, the cost of CNC cutting will be relatively lower than the cost of CNC machining, but the specific value needs to be determined based on the actual situation.

4. How to estimate CNC machining time?

The following factors can be considered when estimating CNC machining time: the complexity of the part, material type and hardness, processing path and cutting parameters (such as cutting speed, feed amount, cutting depth, etc.), equipment performance and accuracy, etc. Generally speaking, CAD/CAM software can be used to simulate processing and the approximate processing time can be obtained. Or make a rough estimate based on past experience in processing similar parts, combined with the characteristics and processing requirements of the current parts. It should be noted that the actual processing time may fluctuate due to various factors (such as equipment failure, tool wear, operator proficiency, etc.).