How much does CNC machining cost?

Introduction

When designing a part for CNC machining, three primary factors influence the cost: Design, Material, and Quantity. The design determines the technology required – whether it's a 3-axis CNC, 5-axis CNC, or CNC Turning. The chosen material affects the price based on raw material costs and machinability. Lastly, the quantity impacts unit costs, with larger volumes benefiting from economies of scale.

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CNC machining is a subtractive technology encompassing both CNC Milling and Turning. Using physical cutting, material is removed from a solid block (blank or workpiece) with a cutting tool. The cost of CNC machining fluctuates from £10 to £21 per hour in China and about £30 per hour in the UK. Costs are primarily driven by labor, time, and energy.

This article simulates the production of five distinct parts of varying sizes and complexities, using both aluminum and stainless steel across different quantities. The resulting data will illuminate the factors affecting part cost and lead time, aiding in making informed design choices for CNC machining.

For a comprehensive guide, check out our CNC Machining Guide.

We also provide pricing guides for Injection Molding, Aluminum Extrusions, and Aluminum Die-casting parts.

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3-axis CNC machining costs, small part

Dimensions
Height: 50 mm
Diameter: 122 mm

Below is a cost comparison for machining a simple CNC part using Aluminum and Stainless Steel. The comparison also includes the price and lead time variations with different order quantities.

For a simple part machined out of aluminum, increasing the order from 1x to 100x yields a 51% unit price reduction, while moving from 100x to 1000x provides just an additional 2% saving. This shows how volume boosts smaller order cost efficiency, but offers diminishing returns at higher quantities. Thus, for high-volume orders, engineers may prefer alternative manufacturing techniques like die casting. Notably, lead time only increases by two days when moving from 1x to 10x, despite a significant price drop of 36% per part, due to similar project setup efforts regardless of quantity.

For a stainless steel part, similar trends are observed, but the cost savings are less pronounced. From 1x to 100x, there's a 40% unit price reduction, with additional savings of only 3% when increasing to 1000x. Stainless steel parts cost roughly double compared to aluminum ones, owing to higher raw material costs and increased tool wear due to the material's hardness.

Learn more about CNC machining materials in our guide on choosing the right metal for CNC machining projects.

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3-axis CNC machining costs, large part

Dimensions
Height: 170 mm
Width: 210 mm
Depth: 150 mm

Here's a cost and lead time comparison for machining a simple large part using Aluminium and Stainless Steel at various order quantities.

For a large part machined out of aluminum, cost savings are also significant, with a 43% reduction going from 1x to 100x, and only an additional 2% for increasing to 1000x. This reveals the substantial cost increase for larger parts due to raw material expenses and longer machining times. Larger parts require more material and machining.

Similar trends hold for stainless steel, though higher volumes provide smaller cost savings. There is a 36% unit price reduction from 1x to 100x, with a further 3% saving when increasing to 1000x. Larger parts often need to be machined one at a time, unlike smaller parts that can be batch-machined from a single material block.

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Surface Finish Comparison

The table and chart below illustrate the cost and lead time impacts of different surface finishes for the analyzed large aluminum part.

Mirror polishing is the most costly finish, adding 66% to the part price due to its labor-intensive hand process, which also extends lead time by two days. Additionally, it requires a higher-grade aluminum like Al7075, further increasing the price.

Anodizing is relatively inexpensive, adding only 1% to the cost, as parts can be batch-finished alongside other projects. Bead blasting has a greater cost impact, adding 10% due to its semi-automated process. Both methods add just one extra day to the lead time.

To explore more surface finishes for CNC parts, refer to the Surface Finishes section of our CNC machining guide.

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5-axis CNC machining costs, small and complex part

Dimensions
Height: 50 mm
Diameter: 122 mm

Here we compare costs for a complex part requiring 5-axis CNC machining across various quantities.

Data indicate that economies of scale greatly benefit 5-axis machined parts. Increasing from 1x to 10x reduces part cost by 66% while the lead time remains constant. Producing up to 1000x parts yields an 85% cost reduction. This efficiency is due to the complex and time-consuming initial setup/programming for 5-axis parts. Once optimized, subsequent part production is significantly faster.

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5-axis CNC machining costs, large part

Dimensions
Height: 50 mm
Width: 435 mm
Depth: 185 mm

This section compares unit costs and lead times for a larger 5-axis CNC machined part in aluminum and stainless steel.

For larger 5-axis parts, the cost savings are not as pronounced. Increasing from 1x to 10x offers 24% (aluminum) and 25% (stainless steel) savings, with an additional three days in lead time. Manufacturing 1000x parts can reduce costs by 53%, but this pushes the lead time to 100 days. The material and machining time required for large 5-axis parts prevent excessive cost reductions.

Like 3-axis machining, 5-axis cost savings are more notable for aluminum than stainless steel, with aluminum parts being generally half the cost due to better machinability and lower material expenses.

If you're finding your parts too expensive, check out our guide on cost-reduction tips for CNC machining projects.

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CNC turning costs, small part

Dimensions
Length: 43 mm
Diameter: 11.5 mm
Extra: M14 external thread

This comparison focuses on a simple CNC turned part with an M14 external thread, analyzing cost and lead time variations with different quantities.

No.	Material	Finish	Quantity	Unit Price	Lead time Days	Cost Saving From 1x
1	Aluminium	As machined	1	£28.80	4	-
2	Aluminium	As machined	100	£4.90	4	-83.03%
3	Aluminium	As machined	1000	£1.64	7	-94.28%
4	Aluminium	As machined	10000	£1.50	18	-94.79%
5	Stainless steel	As machined	1	£36. 95 0 0 Share: Comments Please Join Us to post. 0/2000 All Comments ( 0 ) Previous: HDPE surface installation questions 2 Next: None Guest Posts If you are interested in sending in a Guest Blogger Submission,welcome to write for us! Your Name: (required) Your Email: (required) Subject: Your Message: (required) Thank you for your message. Home About Us Contact Us Agriculture Apparel Automobiles & Motorcycles Beauty & Personal Care Business Services Chemicals Construction & Real Estate Consumer Electronics Electrical Equipment & Supplies Electronic Components & Supplies Energy Environment Excess Inventory Fashion Accessories Food & Beverage Furniture Gifts & Crafts Hardware Health & Medical Home & Garden Home Appliances Lights & Lighting Luggage, Bags & Cases Machinery Measurement & Analysis Instruments Mechanical Parts & Fabrication Services Minerals & Metallurgy Office & School Supplies Packaging & Printing Rubber & Plastics Security & Protection Service Equipment Shoes & Accessories Sports & Entertainment Telecommunications Textiles & Leather Products Timepieces, Jewelry, Eyewear Tools Toys & Hobbies Transportation More Less