No need to know the vocabulary first
A few words, explained
- Spindle
- The rotating assembly that turns the cutting tool.
- CNC
- Computer numerical control: a computer directs a cutting machine.
- Feed rate
- How quickly a cutting tool moves along the material.
- Overhead
- Everyday business costs, such as rent, that need to be covered by the work you sell.
Separate setup from run time
Programming, fixturing, tool changes, material handling, and proofing are real costs. Track them independently from the minutes the spindle is cutting.
Recover machine ownership costs
Machine payment, depreciation, maintenance, dust collection, power, tooling, and shop space must be reflected in an hourly shop rate or overhead model.
Use feedback from completed jobs
Record actual setup, run time, tooling wear, and scrap. A quote system improves quickly when estimates are compared with what happened at the machine.
Pro workflow
Cost CNC setup and production separately
Identify which setup costs can be shared across a batch and which production costs recur for each part.
- Time programming, setup, run, unloading, and cleanup as separate actions.
- Include separate allowances for materials, workholding, tooling and machine costs.
- Compare the first job with a repeat job and identify which costs truly change.
CheckpointCheck that the estimate includes setup, test runs and tooling as well as cutting time.
Continue with CNC job costing →