Guide Pricing & quoting
How to Price CNC Machining: Material, Setup, Machine Time, and Batch Cost
Build a 3-axis CNC milling estimate from material, programming, setup, cycle time, inspection, tooling, batch size, and margin.
A CNC quote is an order-cost model first and a per-part price second. Material, programming, setup, machine time, inspection, tooling, and finishing do not all scale at the same rate with quantity.
Order price = max(total direct cost ÷ (1 − target margin), minimum order fee)1. Price the stock, not only the finished part
Start with the purchased blank volume and material rate, then add an explicit scrap allowance for saw loss, workholding, rejected material, and usable remnant assumptions. Use the actual material and supplier conditions for the order.
2. Separate fixed time from repeating time
Programming and setup are order-level time. Cycle time and inspection repeat for each part. Machine rate should recover machine ownership, maintenance, and shop capacity; labor rate should reflect programming, setup, inspection, and handling time as you perform it.
3. Quote the batch transparently
Add tooling, finishing, packaging, and subcontract work before applying margin. Show both order total and unit price, but do not let the per-part figure hide setup cost. The CNC machining cost calculator is intentionally a manual 3-axis milling estimator, not a replacement for process planning or CAM verification.
Common questions
Frequently asked questions
Does this calculator generate CAM times?
No. Enter your CAM and shop assumptions. The calculator makes their cost effect transparent.
Why does quantity change unit price?
Programming and setup are fixed order costs, while cycle and inspection repeat per part.
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