CNC machining fees are not fixed, but are affected by many factors. So, how much is the CNC machining fee? How to determine this fee? Currently, the CNC machining fee in the market is generally between US$20 and US$400 per hour, depending on factors such as the complexity of the workpiece, materials, machining methods, equipment accuracy and regional differences. When determining the CNC machining fee, the hourly or minute machining fee is usually set based on the machine tool specifications and performance, and then calculated in combination with the workpiece process time and production preparation costs.
General range of CNC machining costs
CNC machining costs vary depending on factors such as the complexity of the workpiece, materials, machining methods, equipment accuracy, and regional differences. Simply put, the more complex and the higher the precision requirements of the workpiece, the higher the machining cost. Generally speaking, CNC machining costs range from 20 yuan to 400 US dollars per hour. For example, in the automotive industry and aerospace field, due to the complexity and high precision requirements of parts, CNC machining costs may reach 100 to 300 US dollars per hour. In other industries, the price may be lower, even as low as 50 US dollars per hour.
How to determine the CNC machining cost
When determining the CNC machining cost, the specifications and performance of the machine tool must be considered first. Machine tools with different specifications and performance have different machining costs per hour or per minute. Generally speaking, the machining costs of high-performance and high-precision machine tools are relatively high. Secondly, the machining cost should be calculated based on the process time of the workpiece. The process time multiplied by the unit price of the time can be used to obtain the machining cost. It should be noted here that the process time includes not only the machine tool processing time, but also production preparation time such as programming, fixture preparation, tool preparation and debugging program. Especially for small batch production, these production preparation costs may account for a certain proportion. Finally, other auxiliary costs such as tool, coolant, lubrication and tool card gauges need to be considered. Although these costs are not high individually, they will have a certain impact on the total cost when accumulated. The determination of CNC machining costs is a process that comprehensively considers multiple factors. In actual operation, it is recommended to communicate with the supplier in detail according to the specific situation to ensure an accurate and reasonable quotation.
Aspects that need to be calculated for CNC machining costs
- Labor time costs: The cost of CNC machining is related to the required machining time. Usually, CNC machining workshops will evaluate the required labor time based on factors such as the complexity of the machining task, material type, and process requirements, and calculate the labor time costs based on the hourly wage rate.
- Material cost: The materials used in the CNC machining process are also an important factor in generating costs. Material costs include the purchase cost of the materials used and the waste rate of the materials. The waste rate depends on the specific machining process and the characteristics of the material.
- Equipment depreciation costs: CNC machining usually requires the use of high-precision machine tools and equipment. The purchase and maintenance of these equipment requires a lot of money, so the equipment depreciation costs will be included in the CNC machining costs.
- Program writing costs: CNC machining requires the writing of machining programs to guide the machine tools for machining. The time and complexity of writing programs will affect the costs.
Example of cost estimation
To better understand the cost of CNC machining, we can use a specific example to illustrate. For example, suppose you need to process a simple aluminum part with a size of 100mm x 50mm x 25mm and a batch size of 100.
Material cost: The price of aluminum is about $20/kg, and the material cost of one part is about $5.
Processing cost: Assuming the processing time is 30 minutes per part and the processing rate is $150/hour, the processing cost of one part is $75.
Other costs: Assuming that the post-processing and transportation costs are $5 per part.
Therefore, the total cost of processing such a part is about $85.
Practical tips to reduce CNC lathe processing costs
In addition to controlling the material, shape, size and other factors of the workpiece, the following practical tips can also be used to reduce the processing costs of CNC lathes:
- Re-plan the processing plan. Adjusting the shape and size of the processed parts can reduce the processing difficulty and reduce the processing costs.
- Compare the prices of different manufacturers. When choosing a CNC lathe processing manufacturer, you can compare the prices of different manufacturers and choose the most suitable one.
- Batch processing. Batch processing of similar parts can reduce fixed costs and reduce the processing costs of individual parts.
- Optimize the process plan. Optimizing the consulting process and selecting the appropriate processing method and appropriate process parameters can reduce the difficulty and cost of processing.
Summary of price standards
The pricing of CNC machining is based on a combination of factors such as material selection, machining difficulty, quantity and tool costs. Generally speaking, low-cost materials such as aluminum alloys are generally cheaper, while high-end materials such as high-strength steel and stainless steel are more expensive. For orders with greater machining difficulty and smaller machining quantities, a relatively high unit price is generally required. In addition, machining costs will also vary to varying degrees due to equipment costs and tool selection. For some mass-produced machine parts, the impact of production time and soaring machine costs is limited, and the processing unit price is lower.