What CNC machining costs

Rates shops post

Few machine shops post rates. Most price each job from your drawing. We found no Ottawa machine shop that posts one.

What sets the price

1. Machine time: longer cycle times cost more
2. Setup: CAD prep and planning are fixed costs, so they hit small orders hardest
3. Material: its price, and how easily it machines
4. Finishes: each one adds steps like masking
5. Rush: short lead times mean overtime and rushed material

The first four come from Protolabs Network's cost guide. The last comes from Xometry.

Why one part costs so much

Setup is paid once, then shared by every part in the order. Online price examples show it clearly:

• A small laser cut aluminum part: US$9.90 for 1, US$3.70 each for 100
• A bent steel bracket: US$31.76 for 1, US$8.32 each for 100
• SendCutSend says 50 of the same part can cut the price 50%
• Protocase charges no setup fee when you reorder identical parts

How long it takes

• Standard: 5 to 15 business days at one Ontario shop, rush often possible
• Small orders: 1 to 2 weeks at one Toronto shop
• Fastest online: as fast as 2 to 3 days at Protocase
• With outside finishing: 7 to 10 business days more at one Quebec shop

How to lower your price

• Send a STEP file and a PDF drawing together
• Call out tight tolerances only where they matter
• Ask for 2 or 3 quantities to see the price break
• Skip finishes the part doesn't need
• Give the shop time, since rush costs more

Without a tolerance on the drawing, shops use a default. Xometry holds metal parts to 0.005 inch either way.

Sources

• Performance Météch rates, Surrey BC
• Saber Tool pricing, Michigan
• Job Bank machinist wages, Ottawa region
• Protolabs Network: reducing CNC machining costs
• Xometry: CNC machining cost
• Xometry CNC machining service
• SendCutSend sheet cutting and bending
• SendCutSend: designing for pricing efficiency
• Protocase terms of sale
• VP Expert FAQ, Ontario
• Argon Prototypes, Toronto
• Protocase CNC machining FAQ
• Laseo lead times, Quebec
• Pearson Manufacturing CNC machining, Ontario