- What is a typical machine rate for CNC machining?
- Machine rates vary widely by operation and location. A 3-axis CNC milling center commonly runs $60–$150/hr in North America, while a multi-axis or Swiss-type lathe can exceed $200/hr. High-precision grinding, EDM, and CMM inspection often carry premium rates. Always confirm with your actual shop overhead: spindle cost, tooling amortisation, electricity, and operator burden all feed into the rate.
- How do I estimate CNC cycle time accurately?
- Cycle time is best taken from your CAM software's toolpath simulation — most modern CAM packages (Fusion 360, Mastercam, SolidCAM) will give you an estimated run time per operation. If you're quoting before programming, use empirical data from similar past jobs or rule-of-thumb material removal rates (MRR). For aluminium milling at moderate feeds, 3–10 cm³/min per kW of spindle power is a common starting point. Always add a 10–20 % buffer for tool changes, deburring, and inspection.
- Should setup time be charged once or per piece?
- Setup time is almost always a one-time charge for the entire batch. It covers fixturing, program loading, first-article inspection, and offset dialling. This calculator correctly treats setup as a fixed batch cost and distributes it into the unit price by dividing the setup total by quantity. On a high-volume run, setup becomes negligible per piece; on a one-off prototype it can dominate the quote.
- What markup percentage is standard for a machine shop?
- Typical markup in a job shop ranges from 20% to 40% on direct costs. The markup must cover indirect overhead (management, sales, facility rent not already in the machine rate), warranty, and net profit margin. Prototype and low-volume work often carries higher markup (30–50 %) because setup amortisation risk falls on the shop. Commodity repeat work may run tighter (15–25 %). If you're using a fully-burdened machine rate that already includes overhead, a lower markup of 15–20% for profit alone may be appropriate.
- Can I download the quote as a PDF to send to customers?
- Yes. Once you fill in your parameters, click "Download PDF Quote." A formatted PDF is generated entirely in your browser using pdf-lib — no data ever leaves your device. The PDF includes your company name, job reference, an itemized cost table, and any notes you add (payment terms, lead time, etc.). You can re-run the calculator and download a fresh PDF whenever your inputs change.