How to get a CNC machining quote and what drives the price
"What will this part cost?" has no one-line answer — but there are ways to get a quote faster and bring the price down. Here is what we need from you and what really drives the number.
What to send us
With the five items below we can quote most parts the same day. When something is missing, the process turns into a round of questions and stretches out.
- 3D model, preferably STEP (.step / .stp). Parasolid, IGES or SolidWorks files work too. A screenshot or PDF alone is not enough, because we cannot read dimensions from it.
- 2D drawing showing tolerances, surface finish and critical dimensions. If you send a model without tolerances we quote assuming general tolerances; if tight tolerances appear later, the price changes.
- Material, with the standard if you have it. Writing "6061-T6" instead of "aluminium" firms up both price and lead time.
- Quantity: prototype or series? Unit cost differs enormously between one part and five hundred. Give us tiered quantities (say 10 / 50 / 200) and we will quote each tier.
- Delivery date and whether you need an inspection report. Say so up front; adding it later stretches the schedule.
Why "what is your hourly rate?" is the wrong question
An hourly rate on its own tells you nothing. Two shops can quote the same rate and arrive at very different totals, because what matters is how many hours, how many setups and how much scrap risk the part carries.
A concrete example: a part with features on five faces needs three separate setups on a 3-axis machine. The same part finishes in one setup on a 5-axis machining centre. The 5-axis hourly rate is higher, yet the total is usually lower and the accuracy better — because every additional setup adds both time and error.
What actually drives the price
Number of setups
How many times the part must be unclamped and re-fixtured. Each setup adds alignment time and error. Designing so the geometry can be finished in one setup is the single most effective saving.
Quantity and preparation
Programming, tooling and first-article approval are fixed costs. On 5 parts they weigh heavily per unit; on 500 they almost disappear.
Tolerance tightness
Tight tolerances mean slower cutting, in-process measurement and sometimes extra operations. Putting tight tolerances only on functional surfaces lowers the price directly.
Material
Not just stock price but machinability. Stainless and titanium cut slower than aluminium and shorten tool life.
Surface finish
The finer the required finish, the more the cutting strategy changes and the longer it takes. Without a functional reason, a standard finish is the most economical.
Inspection and reporting
Where a report is required, inspection time enters the cost. Because measurement is in-house for us, this item stays lower than for shops that send parts out.
Common decisions that raise cost for nothing
How we quote
- You send the files and the quantity.
- We review it for manufacturability. If we see a change that would cut cost, we tell you along with the quote.
- We decide which machine suits the part: 5-axis machining centre, 3-axis vertical machining centre or Swiss-type lathe.
- We send price and lead time. For tiered quantities we price each tier separately.
Manufacturability feedback is not an extra service for us, it is part of the quote. If a small change to your part saves real money, saying so serves both of us.
I only have a PDF drawing, no 3D model. Can I still get a quote?
Yes, but it takes longer and the price comes out more cautious. If the drawing is clear and fully dimensioned we can quote from it; with a 3D model we are both faster and more accurate.
How long does a quote take?
With complete files and quantity we come back the same day for most parts. Parts with many faces or special processes can take a few days.
Do you make one-off prototypes?
Yes. On a single piece the preparation cost weighs heavily on the unit price, so it looks expensive in proportion; that is normal and drops quickly as quantity rises.
Do you supply the material?
Usually we do. We can also work with material you send; in that case please state the standard and any certificate.
Is the inspection report charged separately?
The report is priced within the quote. Because measurement is in-house (COORD3 ARES NT coordinate measuring machine, Renishaw PH20 five-axis head) it is both faster and more affordable than for shops that outsource it.
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Send us your technical drawing and quantity; we will prepare your quote with a manufacturability review.
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