How can you Save CNC Machining Cost

CNC machining is an important procedure that a lot of industries implement. Since it’s often difficult to get the accurate tools and parts needed to finish a product, CNC machining will come in handy. As a business owner looking to trim your budget and save cost, a good prototyping company will help you do that.

Asides from using a good prototyping company, understanding the factors and processes that may affect the price may help you reduce the overall cost of your CNC machining.

How Can You Reduce the Cost of CNC Machining?

You can save the cost of CNC machining by:

1. Avoiding Deep Pockets

Having deep pockets results in you removing lots of materials; this can have an impact on the price of the CNC machining. Why? Because removing materials can consume time and may also require that you reach your desired depth using a special tool.

2. Reduce Tight Tolerances

Including the right tolerances while designing your parts can lead to a rise in the cost of your CNC machining. That’s because tight tolerance increases the time of machining, and gives chances for manual inspection. However, it’s quite difficult to achieve fight tolerances on the part’s internal surface, because burrs can develop on the edges of machining holes and some other cavities.

3. Reduce Length of Threads

If the length of the thread is longer than the diameter of the hole by 1.5 times, you don’t need to create a strong connection. Threads, when they are longer than needed, can drive up costs as they require special tools to be created.

You can reduce the cost of CNC machining by ensuring that the length of thread per diameter of the hole is 3 times lesser when you design.

4. Don’t Use Lots of Finishes

The final finish of a machine’s part is what helps to protect it from harmful environment. It also contributes to the overall appearance of the part. Nonetheless, it also raises the cost of the part. This is why you must avoid including lots of finishes during your design.

What Affects the Cost of Parts Used in CNC Machining?

Here are some factors that may influence the prices of CNC machining parts:

1. Start-up Costs

Start-up costs are usually fixed and are used for covering the entire cost of preparing the CAD file and planning the processes. If the volume is small, startup costs are essential.

2. Time of Machining

The time of machining is often the most important factor that drives the cost high. The longer it takes to machine a part of the product, the higher the cost of CNC machining.

3. Cost of Material

Now, if it takes longer for you to acquire the particular material you need for machining, you may need to pay higher for the machining process. The general cost of the material also influences this.

Final Thoughts:

In case you’re confused about how to reduce the cost of your CNC machining parts, you should start by making revisions to your design. This way, it will be more compatible with CNC machining. In all, tweaking your designs can significantly impact its cost.