How to quote CNC parts from a PDF drawing
A machining quote is a routing with times: stock and sawing, then each operation's setup and run time at that work centre's rate, then outside processes like heat treat or plating, spread across the order quantity. OneThou drafts the routing and times from the PDF in under a minute, on your shop's own rates.
What goes into a CNC machining quote?
- Stock: bar, plate or extrusion with enough left for holding and facing, priced by length, weight or piece.
- Sawing and prep: cutting blanks to length.
- Programming: once per part number, more for complex 3D work.
- Machining operations: each mill or lathe setup with its setup time and run time per part.
- Secondary work: deburring, tapping, grinding, inspection.
- Outside processes: heat treat, anodize, plating, coating, each with the vendor's cost and lead time.
- Markup and quantity breaks.
How do you estimate setup and run time from a drawing?
Count the setups first: every time the part has to be re-fixtured is another setup. Then estimate run time per setup from the features: pockets, profiles, holes and threads, finishes and tolerances. Tight tolerances and fine finishes add passes and inspection. Experienced estimators do this from memory of similar parts, which is exactly what is lost when they retire.
A setup on OneThou uses your past quotes as reference: each draft shows the most similar parts from your own history next to the times it proposes.
Should a part run on a 3-axis or a 5-axis machine?
Compare total time at the order quantity. With time = setup + run × quantity, the machine with the cheaper setup wins small lots, and the one with the faster run wins from the quantity where the two lines cross.
| Setup | Run per part | Total at 1 | Total at 20 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3-axis | 1.5 h | 0.40 h | 1.9 h | 9.5 h |
| 5-axis | 2.5 h | 0.25 h | 2.75 h | 7.5 h |
The lines cross where (2.5 − 1.5) ÷ (0.40 − 0.25) ≈ 6.7, so the 3-axis wins up to six pieces and the 5-axis from about seven. OneThou shows this comparison on every part where both machines apply, with the crossover worked out.
How does OneThou draft a machining quote?
- Reads the drawing: material and size, features like holes, threads, pockets, chamfers and grooves, tolerances, finishes and heat treat callouts, each marked on the drawing.
- Builds the routing: your work centres in order, with setup and run time for each, and the features that drive each operation listed under it.
- Prices it with your numbers: your hourly rates, stock prices, outside-service costs, markups and quantity breaks.
- Leaves the decision to your estimator: change any line, approve, export to Excel or CSV.
Shops that only want routings and times, without prices, can be set up that way too.
See also sheet metal quoting and fabrication quoting, or read the FAQ.
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