cnc machining cost
CNC Machining Cost: What Drives the Price Per Part
A machined part is not priced by the hour in the way most buyers assume. It is priced by a set of lines — material, setup, cycle time, tolerance, finish and inspection — and the mix between them changes completely between 100 pieces and 10,000. Knowing which line dominates at your quantity is what makes a quote negotiable.
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- Cost lines
- Material · setup · cycle time · tolerance · finish · inspection
- Setup share
- 40–60% at 100 pcs
- Tolerance effect
- ±0.01 mm is standard; tighter adds a finishing op
- Quote
- 24 hours from drawing
Price is the last thing a buyer should discuss and the first thing they ask about. The reason is that price is a consequence of the drawing — and until the drawing is read, any number is a guess dressed as a quote.
Specifications
| Pricing basis | Per part, quoted at 100 / 1,000 / 10,000 where applicable |
|---|---|
| Standard tolerance | ±0.01 mm on turned diameters, ISO 2768-m general |
| Tighter tolerance | ±0.005 mm with grinding — quoted as a separate operation |
| Surface finish | Ra 1.6 standard; Ra 0.8 by grinding |
| Materials | Aluminium, stainless, carbon steel, brass, copper, titanium, engineering plastics |
| Quote turnaround | 24 hours with DFM feedback |
Frequently asked questions
How much does CNC machining cost per part?
It depends on the six lines: material, setup, cycle time, tolerance, finish and inspection. A simple turned part in aluminium at 1,000 pieces sits in the low single digits per unit; the same geometry in 17-4 PH stainless with a ±0.005 mm bore and a polished finish can be five to ten times that. Send the drawing for a number that applies to your part.
Why is the per-part price so much higher at 100 pieces?
Because the setup is fixed per part number. Programming, tooling and machine changeover cost the same at 100 as at 10,000, so at 100 the setup can be 40–60% of the unit price. At 1,000 the same setup contributes a tenth as much.
What is the biggest cost driver in a machined part?
For small quantities it is setup. For large quantities it is cycle time, which is a function of how much material has to be removed and how tight the tolerances are. Design changes affect cycle time; quantity affects setup.
Does a tighter tolerance really cost more?
Yes, once it passes the point where a lathe can hold it without special measures. ±0.01 mm is routine; ±0.005 mm usually needs a grinding operation plus a controlled inspection setup, and both are quoted as separate lines.
How can I reduce the cost without changing the supplier?
Loosen tolerances that do not locate anything, remove deep pockets and thin walls, specify surface finish by a standard rather than by feel, and ask for the price at 1,000 pieces as well as 100. The drawing is the only lever that moves the price by a large amount.
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DFM feedback, material certificates and pre-shipment photos come with every order.