What Impacts the Cost of CNC Machined Parts?

The cost of CNC machined parts comprises mainly of factors: machining time, material selection, set-up costs, material finish and part geometry.

Machining time: This is usually the primary cost driver when it comes to CNC machining. As a rule of thumb, the longer a part takes to machine, the more it will cost.

Start-up costs: These costs are fixed. They are in place to cover the cost of CAD file preparation and product planning. For small volumes, start-up costs can be significant.

Material costs: The cost of the bulk material you choose and how easy or hard the material is to machine is another big contributor to the cost of CNC machining.

Other manufacturing costs: Some CNC machined parts come with special requirements — like tight tolerances or thin walls. These often require specific tools, more and additional processing steps and lower machining speeds. All of these factors can impact the machining time, which ultimately drives the cost up.

Material finish: Adding a finish to your parts can improve the appearance and make the part more resistant to harsh environments. While this can be beneficial, it will surely increase the machining cost.

When it comes to pricing CNC machined parts, the biggest cost driver is often machining time. This can outweigh the material costs, set-up costs, and even the costs of custom finishes, such as anodizing or plating.

Ordering multiple quantities of the same part helps generate production efficiencies and lower the cost per piece.

Etone Technology is a full-service machine shop which offers a wide range of services for a variety of industries. We are capable of producing superior products for prototype and production volumes.

Contact us today to see what we can do for you.