Calculate accurate CNC machining costs for milling, turning, and prototyping. Get instant quotes for materials, machine time, and setup.
Material Specifications
Common: 3mm acrylic, 6mm wood, 1mm metal
Cost of full material sheet
Custom Sheet Dimensions
Design & Cutting Parameters
Total length of all cutting paths
Area to be engraved or rastered
Number of identical pieces
Extra material for errors, kerf, etc.
Machine & Operational Costs
Typical: $40-$100/hour
File prep, material setup, calibration
Auto-updates based on material
For metal cutting (oxygen/nitrogen)
Additional Costs
CAD/CAM file preparation time
Polishing, cleaning, assembly
Business profit margin
Laser Cutting Cost Analysis
Cost Per Piece
$18.75
Total Project Cost
$18.75
Production Time
55 min
Cost Breakdown
Material Cost
$7.19
Including waste allowance
Machine Time Cost
$9.50
Laser operation time
Labor Cost
$1.88
Setup and monitoring
Profit Margin
$4.33
Business profit
Time Breakdown
Material Usage Analysis
Material Used
0.29 sheets
Percentage of sheet used
Waste Generated
15%
Material lost to kerf and errors
Efficiency
85%
Material utilization rate
Quantity Pricing
Cost Optimization Tips
Based on your project parameters, nesting multiple pieces can reduce material waste by ~20%. Consider batch production to lower per-unit costs.
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Frequently Asked Quentions
1. How much does laser cutting typically cost per hour?
Laser cutting costs range from $40-$150 per hour depending on laser type and power. Desktop CO2 lasers (40-60W) cost $40-$60/hour, industrial CO2 lasers (100-150W) cost $60-$100/hour, and fiber lasers (500W+) cost $100-$300/hour. Material type also significantly influences actual costs.
2. What factors most affect laser cutting pricing?
The primary cost factors are material type/thickness (40% of cost), machine time (30%), design complexity (15%), and quantity (10%). Material costs vary dramatically - acrylic costs $25-$50/sheet while metals can cost $100-$300/sheet. Complex designs with many intricate cuts increase machine time substantially.
3. How is laser cutting time calculated?
Cutting time = Total cut length ÷ Cutting speed. A design with 2000mm cut length at 20mm/sec speed = 100 seconds cutting time. Engraving time = Engraving area × 0.1 minutes per cm². Setup time (15-60 minutes) is added for file preparation and machine calibration.
4. What's the minimum charge for laser cutting services?
Most laser cutting services have minimum charges of $25-$100 per order. This covers setup time, material handling, and administrative costs. Small projects under this threshold may still be charged the minimum, making batch ordering more cost-effective for small pieces.
5. How much material waste occurs in laser cutting?
Typical material waste ranges from 10-25% depending on nesting efficiency and part geometry. Kerf (material removed by laser) adds 0.1-0.3mm around each cut. Optimal nesting can reduce waste to 10-15%, while irregular shapes might generate 20-25% waste.
6. Can I reduce costs by providing my own materials?
Most shops allow customer-supplied materials but still charge machine time, labor, and markup. Savings are typically 15-30% of material costs. However, shops may charge extra if materials cause excessive wear or require special handling. Always confirm material compatibility first.
7. How does material thickness affect cutting costs?
Costs increase non-linearly with thickness. Doubling thickness may triple cutting time for some materials. 3mm acrylic cuts at 20mm/sec, while 6mm cuts at 10mm/sec and 12mm at 4mm/sec. Each thickness doubling typically increases costs by 80-120% for the same design.
8. What's the cost difference between cutting and engraving?
Engraving typically costs 30-50% less than cutting per time unit but covers larger areas. Cutting costs focus on path length ($0.02-$0.10 per cm), while engraving costs focus on area covered ($0.05-$0.20 per cm²). Complex engraving may actually cost more than simple cutting.
9. How do quantity discounts work in laser cutting?
Quantity discounts typically reduce per-piece costs by 10-40% for batches of 10-100+ pieces. Savings come from optimized nesting (15-25% material savings), amortized setup time (50-80% reduction per piece), and streamlined operations. The first piece often costs 2-3x the per-piece cost at 100 units.
Common hidden costs include setup fees ($15-$50), design modification time ($25-$100/hour), special material handling ($10-$50), expedited service premiums (25-100% extra), and finishing services like polishing or assembly ($10-$50 per piece). Always request detailed quotes.
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