CNC machining pricing usually takes into account the following aspects comprehensively:
Material Costs:
Material Type: Different materials have significant price differences. For example, common materials such as aluminum alloys, steels, and copper materials have different market prices for their raw materials. Some special materials such as titanium alloys and superalloys are more expensive due to their high processing difficulty and scarcity of raw materials. For instance, when processing parts of the same size, the material cost of using aluminum alloys may be relatively low, while the material cost of using titanium alloys will be much higher.
Material Consumption: Calculate the required material consumption based on the size, shape, and processing requirements of the parts. The greater the weight or volume of the material, the higher the cost. For some processed parts that require a large amount of material removal, the material loss rate also needs to be considered when calculating the material cost.
Processing Difficulty and Complexity:
Part Shape: Parts with complex shapes are more difficult to process and require more processing procedures and more complex programming. For example, parts with structures such as curved surfaces, special-shaped holes, and deep cavities have significantly higher processing difficulty than simple flat or cylindrical-shaped parts. Some complex components in the aerospace field, due to their special shapes and high processing difficulty, will have a corresponding increase in pricing.
Precision Requirements: High-precision processing requires more advanced machine tools and more refined processing techniques to ensure the dimensional accuracy, geometric accuracy, and surface quality of the parts. For example, for some parts requiring precision up to the micron level, high-precision measuring instruments need to be used for detection and feedback during the processing, which will increase the processing cost. Generally speaking, the higher the precision requirements, the higher the pricing.
Process Requirements: Special processing techniques, such as heat treatment, surface treatment (such as electroplating, spraying, etc.), and special processing procedures (such as electrical discharge machining, wire cutting, etc.), will increase the complexity and cost of processing. For example, for some parts that require heat treatment to improve material properties, the heat treatment process needs to be added during processing, which will increase the processing cost.
Process Selection:
Processing Method: CNC machining includes various methods such as CNC milling, CNC turning, and CNC electrical discharge machining. Different processing methods are suitable for different types of parts, and their processing costs are also different. For example, CNC milling is suitable for processing flat surfaces, curved surfaces, and complex-shaped parts; CNC turning is suitable for processing rotary parts. Generally speaking, the cost of CNC milling is relatively high because it requires continuous tool changes and adjustment of processing parameters during the processing.
Tool Selection: The choice of tools has an important impact on the processing cost. Different tool materials, tool shapes, and tool sizes are suitable for different processing materials and processing requirements, and their prices are also different. For example, processing materials with high hardness requires the use of carbide tools, which have a relatively high price; while processing ordinary materials can use high-speed steel tools, which have a relatively low price. In addition, the service life of the tool also affects the processing cost. Although some high-quality tools have a higher price, they have a long service life and can reduce the number of tool changes, thereby reducing the processing cost.
Machine Tools and Technical Level:
Machine Tool Performance: Advanced CNC machine tools have higher processing accuracy, faster processing speed, and better stability, which can improve processing efficiency and processing quality, but the purchase cost and maintenance cost of the equipment are also higher. Therefore, the pricing for processing using high-performance machine tools will be relatively high. For example, five-axis linkage CNC machine tools can achieve multi-face processing of complex parts, and their processing efficiency and processing accuracy are higher than those of ordinary three-axis CNC machine tools. Therefore, the price of parts processed using five-axis linkage CNC machine tools will be higher.
Technical Level: The technical level and processing experience of the processing enterprise also affect the pricing. Enterprises with high technical levels and rich experience can better understand the needs of customers, formulate reasonable processing process plans, improve processing efficiency and processing quality, and thereby reduce processing costs. At the same time, these enterprises can better deal with various technical problems during the processing to ensure the smooth progress of processing. Therefore, their pricing may be relatively high.
