Cost and Time
Cost and Time

Lathe

The cost of getting a part made depends on two factors: labor and material costs. Machinists will charge on a per hour basis. This charge is usually in the range of $40-70 per hour. The amount of time it takes to make the part depends heavily on the complexity of the design and usually range from a few hours to a day.

The material costs depend on the type and amount of material you will be using for your part. Steel is generally the cheapest material, followed by aluminum. The prices vary widely depending on stock diameter, alloy, and quality. For more exact prices you will need to check at an online store or call a local store for a quote.

The time from when you hand your technical drawing over to the machinist to when you receive the part can also vary widely. There are many factors including the complexity of the part and how many jobs the machinist has before yours. Be sure to ask the machinist for an estimate of when they will have the part done to be sure you will meet any deadlines you have.

Design to Manufacturing Process
What Materials Are Used?
Limitations of Process
Cost and Time

aseibert@andrew.cmu.edu