Shenzhen Alu Rapid Prototype Precision Co., Ltd.

Estimating CNC Prototyping Cost

CNC prototype costs depend on several factors. Here's a complete breakdown:

Main Cost Formula

Total Cost = Material Cost + Machining Cost + Setup Cost + Finishing Cost + Overhead

1. Material Cost

Formula:

Material Cost = Volume of billet × Material density × Price per kg

Always calculate from billet size, not final part size — waste material still costs money

2. Machining Cost

Formula:

Machining Cost = Machining Time (hrs) × Machine Hourly Rate

Typical Hourly Rates:

Estimating Machining Time:

• Simple part: 0.5 – 2 hours

• Medium complexity: 2 – 6 hours

• Complex part: 6 – 20+ hours

3. Setup Cost

Covers programming, fixturing, and machine setup.

Setup cost is fixed per job — spread across quantity. 1 prototype = full setup cost on one part.

4. Finishing Cost

5. Overhead & Profit Margin

Shops typically add:

• Overhead: 20 – 40% of machining cost

• Profit margin: 10 – 30%

Cost Estimation Example

Part: Aluminum 6061 bracket, medium complexity

Factors That Increase Cost

• Tight tolerances (±0.01mm vs ±0.1mm)

• Deep cavities or undercuts

• Thin walls (under 1mm)

• Multiple setups / part flips

• Hard materials (titanium, Inconel)

• Surface finish requirements

• Rush turnaround

Factors That Reduce Cost

• ✅ Simple geometry — fewer operations

• ✅ Standard tolerances where possible

• ✅ Combine features to reduce setups

• ✅ Choose easy-to-machine materials (aluminum vs steel)

• ✅ Order multiple parts — setup cost spreads out

• ✅ Remove unnecessary cosmetic finishes

Quick Rough Estimates (1 prototype)