I often get asked: “How exactly are CNC machined parts priced? 😵” Especially for materials like aluminum, stainless steel, and copper processed on CNC lathes, the price fluctuates a lot. And when it comes to small-batch customization, it’s even easier to feel confused! Don’t worry—today I’ll break this down clearly to help you save money and avoid pitfalls!  

 💡 Material Cost Is the Foundation  

Different materials directly determine the price floor! Aluminum parts are usually the cheapest. For example, 6061 aluminum alloy has low machining difficulty and causes minimal tool wear. Stainless steel (such as 304/316) is much more expensive because of its high hardness, which wears out tools quickly 😫. Copper materials are even pricier—they have good electrical conductivity but are soft and prone to tool adhesion, requiring frequent equipment maintenance. That’s why material cost is always the first item on a quotation—don’t be surprised by it!  

 📊 Simple Comparison Table:  

| Material       | Approximate Unit Price Range (Yuan/Piece) | Characteristics                          |  

|----------------|--------------------------------------------|-------------------------------------------|  

| Aluminum Alloy | 50 - 200                                   | Lightweight, easy to machine              |  

| Stainless Steel| 100 - 300                                  | Corrosion-resistant, high tool wear       |  

| Copper         | 200 - 500                                  | Good electrical conductivity, high price  |  

 🔧 Complexity and Precision: The Key Factor for Price Increases!  

“So it’s just turning a part—why are they charging me so much?” Many people have complained about this! In fact, complex shapes and ultra-high precision are the hidden costs 😅. For instance, machining multi-curved surfaces, irregular holes, or micro-threads, or requiring tolerances within ±0.01mm, will cause programming time and trial-and-error costs to soar! My suggestion: Don’t pursue extremely high precision unless necessary. The standard IT7 grade is usually sufficient.  

 🧰 Why Is the Unit Price Higher for Small-Batch Machining?  

Small-batch orders (e.g., 50 pieces or fewer) usually have a unit price 30% - 50% higher than large-batch ones! The reason is simple: CNC programming and machine setup time are fixed. Whether you make 1 piece or 1,000 pieces, the initial time investment is roughly the same 😢. So manufacturers have to spread these costs across a small number of parts. But don’t panic—you can save money in these ways:  

- ✅ Standardize the design as much as possible to reduce special structures.  

- ✅ Combine multiple types of parts in the same batch to lower machine startup frequency.  

- ✅ Sign an annual framework agreement with the manufacturer to get discounts based on accumulated order quantity!  

 🤖 Process Selection Also Affects the Price  

There’s a huge price gap between ordinary CNC lathes and 3-axis/5-axis CNC machining centers! 5-axis equipment can machine complex parts with a single clamping and offers high precision, but its hourly rate is as high as 300 - 800 yuan/hour 💰. An ordinary CNC lathe, by contrast, may only cost 100 - 200 yuan/hour. So don’t just compare unit prices—it’s important to ask clearly which equipment will be used for machining!  

 💬 My Insight: How to Inquire About Prices Without Falling Into Traps  

Finally, here are some practical suggestions for you:  

1. Clear Drawings: Be sure to provide complete CAD drawings, marking the material, tolerances, and surface treatments (such as anodizing, sandblasting) to avoid disputes later 🤯.  

2. Group Purchasing: If your order quantity is small, find peers to join a group purchase. Once the total quantity reaches a large-batch threshold, the price will drop immediately.  

3. Choose Manufacturers Based on Equipment: Prioritize manufacturers with 5-axis CNC machines and quality inspection instruments. Although their unit price is slightly higher, they guarantee a high yield rate, making it more cost-effective overall!  

Hope this helps you! The pricing of CNC machining isn’t that mysterious—once you figure out the rules, you can avoid wasting money 💪～  

Do you need me to adjust the translation style, like making it more concise for a product price list or more formal for business negotiations? I can also add notes for professional terms (such as IT7 grade) to help overseas partners better understand the content.