CNC machining has been around in some capacity for over half a century, but with material choices becoming ever wider and more specialist, and the technology undergoing continuous development, CNC machined parts have become the go-to solution for manufacturers. According to FNF Research , the global CNC machine market is expected to be valued at $115 billion by 2026, and with the drive for competitive pricing, improved quality and bespoke options that so many manufacturers face, we are all looking for ways to reduce manufacturing costs on both prototypes and large-scale production volumes. We take a look in more detail at how you can reduce your CNC manufacturing costs.
This article will show how to reduce costs while fulfilling your part's functional requirements. At HP Machinery, we work with companies of all sizes to help them reliably source CNC machined parts. These insights come from extensive cooperation with our customers and long experience in manufacturing.
Let's get started with the different ways to reduce CNC machining costs.
▇Understanding CNC Machining Costs
CNC machining costs can vary significantly depending on several factors, including the type of material, size, quantity, complexity, and machine type used. Understanding these factors is crucial to optimizing CNC machining costs and ensuring your project stays within budget. To understand the costs involved, it is advisable to request a quote from reliable CNC machining service providers.
▇Factors Affecting CNC Machining Costs
Several factors can affect CNC machining costs, including:
▇Material Selection:
The choice of material affects CNC machining costs in two different ways. Firstly, there is a cost to the raw material, and the choice of material is dependant largely on your application. The second price impact is via the machinability of the raw material; the easier the material is to machine, the lower the cost – and the harder the material, the greater the wear on consumable items such as tools, and therefore this will push the cost up. Again, materials selection is always a balance between cost versus performance. Be clear about the level of functionality and properties that your material requires and seek advice if you are unsure; for example, whilst aluminium only has around 60% of the electrical conductivity of copper, it is lightweight and cheaper to buy – it may be that it will perform just as well for your application but without the added costs that copper brings with it.
▇Design Complexity: The complexity of the design can also impact CNC machining costs. Intricate designs may require more advanced machinery and specialized tools, increasing costs.
▇Production Volume: The number of parts produced can also impact CNC machining costs. Higher volume orders often have a lower per-unit cost due to economies of scale.Labour Costs: Labor costs, including the expertise and time of engineers, programmers, and machine operators, contribute to the overall cost of CNC machining. CNC machining can be used for prototype parts because, unlike manufacturing methods such as injection moulding, there are no tooling costs – and, as highlighted by the British Plastic Federation , mould tools and equipment can take weeks or even months to manufacture and are therefore both costly and slow to produce finished parts. Selecting CNC machining as the solution for mid-volume plastic parts, therefore, is a no-brainer, and for metal parts it can be a great solution for both mid-range and large scale production.
Volume of parts
▇Machine Operating Time: The longer a part takes to machine, the more expensive it will be. Factors like part complexity and material hardness influence the time it takes to operate the machine, thereby affecting machining costs.
Part geometry is probably the biggest influence on CNC machined part cost, because the part geometry dictates both the volume of material and the machining time required. By focusing on design for manufacturability, you will be able to cut costs and ensure that you balance aesthetics and functionality against machining time and costs.
▇Finishes and treatments:
Finishes can include the smoothness of parts as well as any treatments to enhance the material performance. CNC machined parts are capable of creating much smoother surface finishes than 3D printing, however, additional processes are required to achieve this. If the component is purely functional, then it is more cost-effective to accept a part with the machined finish and deburr them in-house if you have the facilities. Plastic CNC machined parts are generally supplied as-machined, but with metal parts deburring is common – and where the product design includes an edge break, this requires an additional tool to machine these corner sections. Product designs for CNC machined parts are often drawn with all corners chamfered, and corner radii in place – understandable in terms of making the part smooth and avoiding sharp edges, but it does add machining time and therefore cost.
When considering treatments such as chem film, anodising and blacking, each of these calls for an additional process; multiple treatments require multiple processes and therefore incur multiple costs. If the treatment is necessary for the application then it is an unavoidable cost, but it is worth considering whether an alternative material might provide a more cost-effective solution when combined with the machining time.
As an experienced manufacturer in the field of CNC fabrication, we provide CNC machined parts to a full range of industries. Our modern technology and precision CNC machines enable us to produce complex and customized CNC parts for a wide range of industries and applications. We place great emphasis on precision and efficiency to ensure that each CNC part meets our high quality standards. We work closely with our customers to develop custom machining solutions tailored to their specific needs. We have high-quality and reliable material suppliers, the mechanical properties of materials are up to military standards, and the use of advanced testing equipment to strictly control the size and tolerance, at any time to provide you with high-quality non-standard delrin CNC machining in every field. If you are looking for a high-quality partner to assist in completing any project, please contact us: jovis@lhcncparts.com