How Much Do CNC Milled Parts Cost?
How CNC milled parts are priced: and how you can save costs.
How Are Milled Parts Priced?
The price of a CNC milled part consists of several cost components:
- Setup costs, Machine setup, tool loading, zero point setting, program loading. Typically 15-45 minutes, independent of quantity.
- Cycle time (machining time), The actual milling time per part. Depends on geometry, material and tolerances.
- Material costs, Raw stock including waste. Aluminium is inexpensive, titanium or PEEK are expensive.
- Tool costs, Proportional wear of milling tools. Higher for hard materials.
- Post-processing, Deburring, surface treatment, measurement. Optional but often required.
For single parts, setup dominates, it can account for 60-80% of the price. For small batches (50+ pieces), the unit price drops by 40-60% as setup costs are distributed.
Price Factors, What Affects Unit Price
| Factor | Impact on Price | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Quantity | Strongest lever | 1 pc: €85 → 50 pcs: €25/pc → 500 pcs: €12/pc |
| Complexity | High | Simple plate: 15 min → 5-axis housing: 90 min |
| Material | Medium to high | Alu (6082): affordable → Stainless (1.4571): +40% → Titanium: +200% |
| Tolerances | Medium | ±0.1 mm: standard → ±0.01 mm: +50-100% (grinding required) |
| Surface finish | Low to medium | Ra 3.2: included → Ra 0.8: +20% → Polished: +80% |
| Part size | Medium | 50×50 mm: standard → 500+ mm: larger machine, higher hourly rate |
Typical Price Ranges for Milled Parts
Guide prices for CNC milled parts from aluminium (EN AW-6082), standard tolerance:
| Part Type | Single Part | 10 Pieces | 100 Pieces |
|---|---|---|---|
| Simple plate (80×60×10 mm, few holes) | ~€35-50 | ~€15-20 | ~€6-10 |
| Medium complexity (pockets, steps, 3-axis) | ~€60-120 | ~€25-45 | ~€12-20 |
| Complex (5-axis, freeform, H7 fits) | ~€150-350 | ~€55-100 | ~€25-50 |
| Large part (>300 mm, multi-side machining) | ~€200-600 | ~€80-200 | ~€40-100 |
Note: Stainless steel is approx. 30-50% more expensive, titanium approx. 100-200% more expensive than aluminium.
Hourly Rates in CNC Milling
Machine hourly rates vary by machine type:
- 3-axis milling machine, €60-80/h (standard machining centre)
- 5-axis milling machine, €80-120/h (higher investment, but fewer setups)
- Large part milling machine, €90-150/h (travels >700 mm)
The hourly rate includes machine, tools, operator and overheads. At Strobel Industry we use multi-machine operation, one operator tends several machines simultaneously, reducing the effective hourly rate.
5 Tips: How to Save on Milled Parts
- Review tolerances, Only tolerance functionally critical dimensions tightly. General tolerance DIN 2768-m suffices for 80% of dimensions. Saves 10-30%.
- Internal radii instead of sharp corners, Sharp internal corners require small cutters and many passes. Internal radii ≥ 1 mm (better: ≥ 2 mm) save 15-25% cycle time.
- Use standard materials, EN AW-6082, S235, 1.4301 are stock items and readily available. Special alloys have lead times and surcharges.
- Bundle quantities, If you need 3 different parts × 1 piece, better order 5-10 pieces each. Unit price drops 40-60%.
- Design for manufacturing, Avoid: deep pockets (>5× tool Ø), thin walls (<1 mm), unnecessarily small holes (<2 mm). → More saving tips
Frequently Asked Questions
What does a simple milled part cost?
A simple aluminium milled part (80×60×10 mm) costs approx. €35-50 as a single part. At 100 pieces the price drops to €6-10/pc. The biggest cost driver is setup time.
Why are milled parts more expensive than turned parts?
Milling machines have higher hourly rates (€60-120/h vs €50-90/h for turning) and milled parts often require multiple setups. Turned parts from bar feeders are particularly efficient in series.
How can I get milled parts priced online?
The easiest way: Send us your drawing (STEP, PDF) and we quote within 24h for free. Alternatively, use our guide prices as orientation.
What does 5-axis milling cost compared to 3-axis?
The hourly rate is approx. 30-50% higher. But 5-axis often saves setups and cycle time. For complex parts, 5-axis can even be cheaper than multiple 3-axis operations.
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