The cost of CNC machining is influenced by several important factors including materials, machines, labor, finishing, quantity and turnaround time.
The raw material chosen can influence the cost of CNC manufacturing. Low carbon steel, stainless steel, aluminum, brass, and some plastics, are a few of the materials available for CNC machining. The thickness of the material and size are also a factor. The cost of material per piece is reduced as the quantity ordered increases.
The amount of time machining and the equipment can also influence the cost. Based on the design, multiple CNC machines may be needed to complete a part. The cost of each technology varies.
CNC machining is an automated process, which helps to reduce the cost of labor. Most labor charges are incurred during the design phase and during machine set up. Bulk orders help to offset the cost of labor as the price is divided over a large volume of parts. Manual labor during secondary finishing can add costs.
After a part has been CNC machined, it may require a finishing process. Finishing process include powder coating, assembly, drilling, deburring and more. Outsourcing finishing to a third party can be costly. Select a manufacturer with comprehensive services that include both manufacturing and finishing.
The cost of CNC machining is affected by the amount of parts ordered. To cut costs, materials may be stacked during certain processes. To reduce costs, order larger volumes of identical parts.
Many cost calculations are based on the time required to manufacture a part. Time calculations will include machine set up time and running time. As CNC machining processes are automated, labor and time are reduced significantly when compared to manual processes.
There are multiple ways to keep CNC machining cost within a set budget.
The price of the raw material can influence the cost of a project. Selecting a material that is difficult to source or hard to machine can contribute to cost. How easy or difficult it is to cut raw material is referred to as machinability. Costs can be reduced be choosing a material with high machinability and one that has the properties needed for your design.
The complexity of a design can increase or decrease the cost of CNC manufacturing. Complex parts that call for multiple machines set ups, special tooling or hard to access materials can increase costs. Work with an experienced engineer during the design phase to ensure your designs are accurate. A trustworthy manufacturer can also assist you during the design stage to ensure your designs are not difficult to machine.
The quantity ordered can affect the price per unit. By increasing the volume of an order, you can significantly decrease the cost per piece. CNC has a high repeatability which makes it easy to produce thousands of uniform parts. Consider ordering in large volumes.
Work with Fathom on your next CNC machining job. Fathom offers many CNC services including CNC 3 & 5 AXIS, CNC milling and turning, sinker EDM, wire EDM, Swiss machining and more. As part of our comprehensive services, we also offer finishing and post processing. CNC machining is just one of 28 manufacturing services.
>Get a fast quote on your CNC project by using Fathom’s SmartQuote online platform. Our team of experts will return your quote within 1 hour, usually within 24 hours. Need a quote on a CNC job today? Want to learn about Fathom’s other manufacturing services? Our CNC machining lead times are as follows:
Fathom’s manufacturing facilities are powered by over 530 machines, including mills, lathes, presses, press brakes, turret punches and additive systems. Fathom has equipment dedicated to metal prototype fabrication, including lasers, waterjet machines, finishing tools, autodeburring, 4 slide machines, multi-slide machines, press brakes, 300-ton presses, 22-ton presses, wire EDM machines, seely slide forming tools and 35-ton blanking presses.
Fathom provides not just CNC machining but also hybridized services leveraging prototype fabrication and additive manufacturing. Need metal prototype fabrication as part of a more complex project? Fathom can handle it. A recent case study is listed below where Fathom delivered 20,000 parts in 27 days using 55+ tools, including metal prototype fabrication services:
A customer came to Fathom with a complex project that spanned the technologies and processes of rapid production—and needed it done fast. Fathom delivered.
55+ Tools to Injection
Mold 15,000 Parts
First Article in 2 Weeks
3,000+ 3D
Printed Parts
2,000+ Metal
Fabricated Parts
3D Printing / Additive Manufacturing—PolyJet, SLS, MJF.
DFM Analysis + CAD Mods.
CNC Machining. Laser Cutting.
Stamping. Die Cutting. Post-Opp Drilling.
24-hour Turnaround Urethane Casting.
Injection + Compression Molding.
Model Finishing. Insert Assembly.
Advanced Project Management.
Fathom’s manufacturing network has nine locations across the United States with CNC capabilities. Our CNC locations are:
HEADQUARTERS
1050 Walnut Ridge Drive
Hartland, WI 53029
ISO 9001:2015
AS9100:2016
ITAR
ARIZONA
444 W. 21st St. Ste. 101
Tempe, AZ 85282
ISO 9001:2015
NIST 800-171 Compliant
ITAR
ILLINOIS
1207 Adams Drive
McHenry, IL 60051
1401 Brummel Ave
Elk Grove, IL 60007
ISO 9001:2015 Design Certified
MINNESOTA
13758 Johnson Street NE
Ham Lake, MN 55304
TEXAS
1513 Sam Bass Rd
Round Rock, TX 78681
ISO 9001:2015
ISO 13485:2016
As a leading CNC manufacturer, Fathom offers nationwide cover to the entire United States. Our services include both metal and plastic CNC machining. Materials available for CNC jobs are:
| METALS | OPTIMAL QUANTITY | TOLERANCES (+/-) | ADVANTAGES & CONSIDERATIONS | FINISH & APPEARANCE |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Stainless Steel | 1-1000 | +/- 0.005″ |
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| Low Carbon Steel | 1-1000 | +/- 0.005″ |
|
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| Aluminum | 1-1000 | +/- 0.005″ |
|
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| Brass | 1-1000 | +/- 0.005″ |
|
| PLASTICS | OPTIMAL QUANTITY | TOLERANCES (+/-) | ADVANTAGES & CONSIDERATIONS | FINISH & APPEARANCE |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| HDPE | 1-100 | +/- 0.008″ |
|
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| PC | 1-100 | +/- 0.008″ |
|
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| ABS | 1-100 | +/- 0.008″ |
|
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| Acrylic | 1-100 | +/- 0.008″ |
|
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| Nylon 6/6 | 1-100 | +/- 0.008″ |
|
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| Acetal (Delrin®) | 1-100 | +/- 0.008″ |
|
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| ULTEM® | 1-100 | +/- 0.008″ |
|
A: Yes, Fathom offers CNC services.
A: CNC machines are computer-driven manufacturing equipment.
A: Fathom’s certifications include ISO 9001:2015, ISO 9001:2015 Design, and ISO 13485:2016. For site-specific certifications, please visit https://fathommfg.com/fathom-manufacturing-certifications.
A: Yes, Fathom is ITAR certified. For site-specific certifications, please visit https://fathommfg.com/fathom-manufacturing-certifications.
A: Yes, Fathom is AS9100:2016. For site-specific certifications, please visit https://fathommfg.com/fathom-manufacturing-certifications.
A: Yes, Fathom’s certifications include NIST 800-171. For site-specific certifications, please visit https://fathommfg.com/fathom-manufacturing-certifications.
A: CNC stands for Computer Numerical Control.
A: The cost of a custom CNC turning project depends on the complexity of the design, materials chosen, quantity ordered, turnaround time, and other factors. For a fast quote, submit your details through Fathom’s SmartQuote platform.
A: The cost of a CNC machined job varies depending on the design, if multiple manufacturing technologies are used, and more.
Do you need an estimate on an upcoming CNC machining project? Get a fast quote on any CNC file.
Precision manufacturing
from coast to coast.
HEADQUARTERS //
1050 Walnut Ridge Drive
Hartland, WI 53029
877-328-4668
ARIZONA
444 W. 21st St. Ste. 101
Tempe, AZ 85282
480-966-2300
CALIFORNIA
46758 Lakeview Blvd
Fremont, CA 94538
COLORADO
7770 Washington St.
Denver, CO 80229
303-288-6855
ILLINOIS
1207 Adams Drive
McHenry, IL 60051
815-385-7500
1401 Brummel Ave
Elk Grove, IL 60007
847-952-8088
MINNESOTA
13758 Johnson Street NE
Ham Lake, MN 55304
763-755-7575
NEW YORK
1920 Slaterville Rd.
Ithaca, NY 14850
607-277-7070
401 W. Shore Blvd.
Newark, NY 14513
315-331-7680
TEXAS
1513 Sam Bass Rd.
Round Rock, TX 78660
512-255-1477
