The price of CNC machining is not a single rate – it is made up of material, machine time, process preparation, tooling, quality control and additional operations. Each of these depends on the part geometry, the drawing requirements and the order quantity. In this article we show what drives CNC machining costs, what raises part prices the most and how to prepare an enquiry so that the quote is fast and accurate.
Table of contents:
- What does the cost of CNC machining depend on?
- What makes up the full cost of CNC machining
- Material and CNC machining cost
- Machine type and hourly rate
- Part geometry and complexity
- Tolerances and surface quality
- Batch size: prototype vs. series production
- Heat treatment and surface finishing
- How to prepare a request for quotation
- How to reduce CNC machining costs without losing quality
- How we quote orders at Sacher CNC
- CNC machining cost – FAQ
What does the cost of CNC machining depend on?
Customers often ask how much it costs to make a part on CNC machines. The honest answer is: it depends on many different factors. The same part can have a completely different price depending on the material, required tolerances, quantity and finishing operations. That is why no manufacturer can give a reliable price without a drawing and basic information about the order.
The most important variables affecting the cost of CNC machining are:
- the type and grade of material and the dimensions of the blank,
- the cycle time, i.e. the machine time needed for one piece,
- programming and machine setup before production starts,
- the number of setups and the fixtures required,
- geometric complexity and tight tolerances,
- quality control and the required documentation,
- post-machining processes: hardening, grinding, coatings,
- batch size, packaging and delivery terms.
These factors work together. A simple aluminium part can be inexpensive even in small quantities. A stainless steel part with deep pockets and tight tolerances, on the other hand, will need longer cycles, more expensive tools and more thorough inspection. That is why two similar-looking parts can have very different prices.
What makes up the full cost of CNC machining
It is worth breaking the full cost of CNC machining down into its components. This makes it easier to understand a quote, compare offers and see where savings are possible.
Material
The first component is the material cost. It covers the purchase of bar, plate or forging and the allowances needed for machining. Cutting the material from bar or plate is the first operation that has to be included in the quote. The material price depends on the grade, the size of the blank and current metal market prices. For large, solid parts, material can be one of the biggest expenses of the whole order. The material cost calculation therefore takes into account not only the mass of the finished part, but also the mass of the blank it is cut from.
Machine time
The second component is machining time. The cost of one hour of CNC machine work includes machine depreciation, energy, maintenance, tools and the operator's work. The longer the cycle time, the higher the cost of each piece. The process engineer calculates the cycle time on the basis of the machining program. The time needed to make a part depends on the amount of material to be removed, the number of operations and the accuracy that has to be achieved.
Production preparation
Before production starts, the process engineer analyses the drawing, prepares the program in the CAM system and selects the tools. This is followed by the CNC machine setup: preparing the clamping, measuring the tools and checking the first piece. The preparation cost is fixed for a given order – it does not matter whether we make one piece or a hundred. This is why the unit price for small quantities is noticeably higher.
Tools and fixtures
Cutting tools wear during operation. Hard materials such as stainless steel or hardened steel accelerate edge wear, and tool wear has to be included in the quote. Special tools, such as form cutters or tools for non-standard threads, increase the cost of machining. Special fixtures for clamping irregularly shaped parts can be an additional expense.
Quality control
Every order requires dimensional inspection. The scope of inspection depends on the customer's requirements – from measuring key dimensions to a full report from a coordinate measuring machine. The more dimensions with tight tolerances, the longer the inspection and the higher the cost. Documentation also affects the price: material certificates, measurement reports or heat treatment records.
Additional operations, packaging and delivery
The price also includes processes after machining: deburring, hardening, grinding or coatings. Packaging, possible charges for special transport, requirements for protecting the parts and delivery costs also play a role. For agreements on regular deliveries on fixed dates, the cost of storing finished parts should also be taken into account.
Material and CNC machining cost
The type of material affects the price in two ways: through the price of the raw material itself and through machinability, i.e. how easy it is to machine. Machining metals is quoted differently from machining plastics, because the materials differ in hardness, thermal conductivity and the way chips are formed. Easily machinable materials allow faster work and save tools. Difficult-to-machine materials require lower parameters, more frequent tool changes and more attention from the operator.
Aluminium and non-ferrous metals
Aluminium is one of the most popular materials for CNC machining. It cuts well, allows high machining speeds and causes less tool wear than steel. That is why the cost of machining an aluminium part is usually lower than for a comparable steel part. Brass and copper also machine well, although the raw material itself can be more expensive. We write more about machining brass in the article Brass processing using CNC.
Steel, stainless steel and hardened steel
Structural and tool steel require lower cutting parameters than aluminium. Stainless steel is more difficult to machine – it tends to work-harden, heats the tool more and wears it faster. Compared with aluminium, stainless steel usually means longer machining time and higher tool costs. Machining after hardening is even more demanding and requires specialised equipment, a rigid machine and tools for hard materials.
Plastics
Machining plastics can be fast, but it has its own requirements. Engineering plastics are sensitive to temperature, can deform and require sharp tools and well-designed clamping. Plastic prices vary widely: common grades are cheap, while high-temperature plastics can cost more than many metals. For a plastic part, the price therefore depends on both the grade and the required accuracy. With plastics you also need to remember that dimensions can change with temperature and humidity, which affects how the part is measured.
If you are choosing a material for a new part, take a look at our overview of the most popular materials for CNC machining.
Machine type and hourly rate
The hourly rate depends on the machine used for the operation. A modern machining centre is a major investment, and its cost is spread over its working hours. On top of this come operating costs: energy, maintenance, coolant and operation. This is why CNC machines with greater capabilities usually have a higher rate, but they often make the part faster.
3-axis and 5-axis CNC milling
CNC milling on a 3-axis machine is suitable for parts that can be machined from several sides in successive setups. 3-axis mills and machining centres are well suited to plates, housings and prismatic parts. 5-axis machining has a higher hourly rate, but for complex parts it often reduces the total production time. The part can be machined from many sides in one setup, which limits changeovers and the risk of errors. We explain when this pays off in the article 5-axis machining: when does it pay off and which parts are worth making on it.
Our machine park includes Haas vertical machining centres for 3-axis milling and Hermle centres for 5-axis milling. This lets the process engineer match the machine to the part instead of fitting the part to a single machine. The choice of machine affects the efficiency of the whole process and the cost of each piece. You will find details on our page about CNC milling.
Turning, grinding and EDM
Rotational parts such as shafts, bushings and rings are usually made by turning. Compared with milling a complex solid, the turning cycle is often short and the preparation simpler. Grinding is used where high accuracy and low roughness are required. EDM, including wire cutting, is suitable for shapes that are hard to make with a cutting tool and for very hard materials. Each of these operations has a different rate, so the real cost depends on how many different processes one part requires. See our services: CNC turning, CNC grinding and EDM machining.
Part geometry and complexity
Geometric complexity is one of the most important factors affecting price. A simple block with a few holes can be made quickly. A part with deep pockets, thin walls and freeform surfaces needs more operations and more careful machining.
Features that most often increase the cost are:
- deep and narrow pockets, which require long tools and lower parameters,
- sharp internal corners, which a round cutter cannot produce without additional operations,
- thin walls, prone to vibration and deformation,
- holes and threads with non-standard dimensions, requiring special tools,
- features that need machining from several sides, i.e. additional setups.
Part size also matters. Large parts need a bigger CNC machine, more material and longer tool travel. For very small parts, on the other hand, measuring time and clamping difficulty increase.
The complexity of a part is easiest to assess in CAM software. A simulation of the toolpaths shows how many operations will be needed and what the expected cycle time is. On this basis a cost calculation is made that reflects the actual technology, not just the part dimensions.
Tolerances and surface quality
Dimensional tolerances have a direct impact on cost. Every tightening of a tolerance extends machining, because it requires slower finishing passes, stable conditions and more accurate measurements. A part with tight tolerances may also need an additional operation, such as grinding.
The same applies to surface quality. Low roughness requires additional tool passes or a separate finishing operation. It is therefore worth specifying high requirements only where they result from the function of the part: on mating, sealing or sliding surfaces.
Inspecting parts with tight tolerances also takes more time. High-precision parts are often measured on a coordinate measuring machine, and the results go into a report for the customer. At Sacher CNC we verify dimensions on Wenzel machines, among others. You can read more about our measuring facilities on our page about Quality control.
Batch size: prototype vs. series production
Order size has a huge impact on the unit price. Fixed costs – drawing analysis, programming, preparation of fixtures and machine setup – are divided among all pieces in the order.
How does the cost of a prototype differ from the cost of a series part? With a prototype, fixed costs fall on one or a few pieces. A prototype also requires more engineering work, because the program and technology are created from scratch. Each piece is often fully inspected, and the material is bought in small quantities, which increases its price. As a result, a prototype is usually noticeably more expensive per piece.
In large-series production, economies of scale apply and the cost of producing one part drops significantly. The preparation cost is spread over many parts, and the process engineer can optimise the program, fixtures and tools. Optimising the program and fixtures for repeat orders is often the most effective way to reduce the price. Keep in mind, however, that the total cost of the order rises with the number of pieces – it is the cost of one part that falls.
If you are starting with a prototype, take a look at our page on CNC prototyping and the article What is rapid prototyping.
Heat treatment and surface finishing
Many parts go on to further processes after machining. Hardening, carburising or nitriding increase hardness and wear resistance. Each such process is an additional cost, and often also requires an additional finishing operation after hardening, such as grinding.
Surface finishing also affects the price. Anodising, sandblasting, polishing or other coatings improve the appearance and resistance of the part, but each of these processes has to be included in the quote. The more processes after machining, the more important good organisation of the whole order becomes. Every transport between subcontractors means extra time, cost and risk of damaging the parts.
Sacher CNC has its own hardening shop with vacuum furnaces, where we carry out hardening, carburising, tempering and plasma nitriding. This allows us to carry out milling, turning, heat treatment and grinding in one plant. Details can be found on our page about heat treatment.
How to prepare a request for quotation
Complete documentation speeds up quoting and reduces the risk of misunderstandings. It is worth including in your enquiry:
- a technical drawing with dimensions, tolerances and surface requirements,
- a 3D model, if available,
- the material grade or a description of the requirements if the material has not yet been chosen,
- the quantity and expected follow-up orders,
- the expected delivery date,
- requirements for heat treatment, coatings and quality documentation.
The more complete the data, the more accurate the quote. Missing information about the material or quantity forces the supplier to make assumptions that may later change the price. A reliable quote for CNC parts is always based on specific requirements, not on a general description.
When comparing offers from different suppliers, pay particular attention to the scope of work and check exactly what the offer includes. Competitive prices do not always mean a lower total cost if the supplier's price does not include, for example, dimensional inspection, material certificates, heat treatment or transport. It is best to compare the price of the finished part for the same scope of machining and the same quality requirements. It is also worth checking whether the supplier has confirmed the feasibility of the part and the delivery date.
How to reduce CNC machining costs without losing quality
The design stage already has a big influence on the price. A few design decisions can significantly shorten machining time and help limit expenses. It is worth consulting the design with the manufacturer before the drawing goes into production.
Design for standard tools
Use standard hole diameters, common threads and corner radii that match popular end mills. Drilling a hole of a standard diameter is faster and cheaper than making a non-standard size with an end mill.
Avoid unnecessarily tight tolerances
Specify tight tolerances only for functional dimensions. General tolerances are sufficient for the other surfaces. Dimensioning from a common datum also helps, as it makes machining and measurement easier.
Limit the number of setups
Every re-clamping of a part means additional setup time and a risk of error. If the part can be designed so that it is machined from fewer sides, the cost goes down. For very complex parts, it is worth considering splitting them into simpler components joined during assembly.
Choose the material and batch size
Stainless steel or a special alloy is not always necessary. If the operating conditions allow it, aluminium or structural steel can significantly reduce material costs and machining time. If you know you will need the parts regularly, order an appropriate quantity or agree on a delivery schedule. The preparation costs will then be spread over more pieces.
How we quote orders at Sacher CNC
At Sacher CNC we quote each order individually on the basis of the documentation. A professional approach to quoting means that the price reflects the entire technology, not just machine time. We do not use one rate for all parts, because the cost of CNC machining depends on the specific part. Each order is quoted in several steps:
- we analyse the drawing and 3D model and check the feasibility of the part,
- we select the technology: milling, turning, grinding, EDM, heat treatment,
- we estimate time and costs, also using AI-supported tools,
- we send an offer with costs, delivery time and scope of work.
Our offer includes milling, turning, grinding, EDM and heat treatment in our own plant. We machine aluminium, steel, stainless steel, non-ferrous metals and engineering plastics. We make prototypes, single parts and series. Combining many operations in one plant limits transport between subcontractors and helps keep prices competitive. You will find the full list of machines on our page about the machine park.
Would you like to know the cost of your part? Send an enquiry with the drawing, material and quantity.
CNC machining cost – FAQ
How much does 1 hour of CNC work cost?
The hourly rate depends on the type of machine, its size and the scope of machining. An hour on a 5-axis centre costs more than an hour on a 3-axis machine, and lathes, grinders and EDM machines also have different rates. For the customer, however, the total price of the part matters more than the rate, because a more expensive machine can make the part faster and in fewer setups.
What is the cost of CNC machining?
The cost of CNC machining is the sum of the cost of material, machine time, production preparation, tools, quality control and additional operations. A reliable price can only be given after analysing the drawing, material and quantity.
How much does a CNC machine technician earn?
Pay depends on experience, scope of duties, region and the type of machines operated. An operator earns differently from a CNC programmer or process engineer. We describe this in detail in the article How much does an operator, programmer, turner, miller, technologist and CNC mechanic earn.
What does a CNC machine cost?
The price of a machine tool depends on its type, size, number of axes, control system and equipment. A simple lathe or milling machine costs many times less than a 5-axis machining centre with automation. The cost of the machine affects the hourly rate, because its purchase is spread over years of operation. We describe the types of machine tools in the article What are the types of CNC machines.
Can one rate cover all operations?
Usually not. Milling, turning, grinding or hardening have different costs. In our offer, however, we give the price of the finished part, which covers the agreed scope of all operations.