Digifabster defines CNC Sheetmetal as a process that is cutting features from a flat sheet of material and then bending to form the part. For example, Sheetmetal brackets, Enclosure, Storage etc.
Creating a new CNC Sheetmetal machine will present a number of options for you to choose to set up your pricing structure. You can decide to use as many or as few of these as possible. Digifabster will analyse the geometry of a part and use the chosen calculations to formulate a final cost.
The following walkthrough details each option to help you decide how to create your pricing structure for CNC Cutting.
Machine Settings
Manufacturing Technology
This is the type of manufacturing process you are creating pricing for.
Machine
This features a list of pre-made machine names. You can also create your own machine name by typing the name and pressing 'Enter'
Maximum Allowed Part Size
This is the maximum size your machine can manufacture or the maximum size of part you want to make.
Please note: the third box is the maximum thickness of material you can bend
Minimum Allowed Part Size
This is the minimum size your machine can manufacture or the minimum size of part you want to make.
Please note: the third box is the minimum thickness of material you can bend
Please note:
By default we orient parts with X ≥ Y ≥ Z so that the largest dimension is in X, and smallest in Z.
Minimum Order Value
This sets a minimum limit value for order based on the value of parts made on this particular machine. This could be 1 model with a cost over the minimum or multiple models in different materials, but all on this machine.
Accept Drawings
You can give your customers the option to upload a drawing with their CAD file or make it a requirement.
Complexity Bracketing
To calculate the complexity of a model we compare the 'actual' surface area of the part to the 'theoretical' surface area of the part without features. The part is then assigned a complexity bracket of Very Simple, Simple, Normal, Complex or Highly Complex depending on the result.
Cycle Time Multiplier
Once a part has been assigned a complexity, the cycle time multiplier is then used to calculate how much more or less time would be require to make the part based on the Feed Rate (material settings)
Example Calculation
A part has a cutting path of 100cm and the complexity 'Very Simple' with a cycle time multiplier of 1. The feed rate time is set to 500cm Per hour. The total time for cutting is 0.2 hours.A part has a cutting path of 100cm and the complexity 'Highly Complex' with a cycle time multiplier of 2. This feed rate is set to 500cm Per Hour. The total time for finishing is 0.4 hours.
Machine Specs
Per Part Fee
This is a fee added to every part to cover costs like setup or handling of the part.
Machine Rate Per Hour
The price you charge per hour of machining. This cost is multiplied by the estimated machining time.
Example Calculation
The estimated machining time for a part is 3.5 hours. At $50 per hour the total of this calculation would be $175
Operator Rate Per Hour
The price you charge per hour for your machine operators. This cost is multiplied by the estimated machining time.
Example Calculation
The estimated machining time for a part is 3.5 hours. At $40 per hour the total of this calculation would be $140
Programmer Rate Per Hour
The price you charge per hour for your programmers. This cost is multiplied by the estimated machining time.
Example Calculation
The estimated programming time for a part is 0.75 hours. At $80 per hour the total of this calculation would be $60
Manual Review Part Quantity threshold
This is a limit at which a customer will be able to order and pay online. If the qty for the same CAD model goes over this limit, the order will be held for manual review by the shop. The customer will still see the total price of the order.
TBD Part Quantity Threshold
This is a limit at which the customer will no longer be able to see the price of the order. If the quantity of parts for the same CAD model exceeds the threshold, the order is held and price hidden until the shop has reviewed it.
Features
The Features section is where you can define limitations for Holes, Slots, and Notches.
Feature Topology
This is the type of feature. Select from Hole, Slot, or Notch.
Holes
Hole Settings
Hole Settings
Hole Form (shape types)
Available when the Feature Type 'Any' is selected. This is the type of hole, for example, Simple or Countersunk.
Feature name (thread type)
This is the name of the feature, example Countersunk Hole
Blind/Not Blind
Defines if the hole is Blind/Not Blind.
Max Angle
Sets the maximum angle of draft the hole is allowed to be considered a hole by Digifabster. Features outside of this limit will not be included in the DFM checks.
Min Radius
The minimum allowed radius of the hole.
Max Ratio
This is the maximum ratio between the depth and the diameter of the hole. For example: A ratio of 10 would allow a hole 10 times deeper than the diameter.
Slots
Slot Settings
Slot Settings
Blind/Not Blind
Defines if the slot is Blind/Not Blind.
Max Angle
Sets the maximum angle of draft the slot is allowed to be considered a slot by Digifabster. Features outside of this limit will not be included in the DFM checks.
Min Radius
The minimum allowed radius of the of the slot end.
Max Ratio
This is the maximum ratio between the depth and the diameter of the slot. For example: A ratio of 10 would allow a slot 10 times deeper than the diameter.
Notches
Notch Settings
Notch Settings
Blind/Not Blind
Defines if the slot is Blind/Not Blind.
Max Angle
Sets the maximum angle of draft the slot is allowed to be considered a slot by Digifabster. Features outside of this limit will not be used in the DFM checks.
Min Radius
The minimum allowed radius of the of the slot end.
Max Ratio
This is the maximum ratio between the depth and the diameter of the slot. For example: A ratio of 10 would allow a slot 10 times deeper than the diameter.
Tolerance
Here you can set tolerance options for your customers and add extra cost due to the increased work needed for tighter tolerances.
Minus
The lower limit for this tolerance range.
Plus
The upper limit for this tolerance range.
Margin
The percentage added to the cost of manufacturing the part to account for additional work.
Name
The name that will be displayed on the widget
Order of Display
This is the order in which the option will displayed. Number these accordingly, 1,2,3 etc.
Add More
This add a new set of tolerance options
Lead Time
Your standard lead time for this machine can be set here and additional options can be added.
Days
The number of days for that specified lead time.
Additional Margin
The additional cost added to the order in the event the customer chooses a faster lead time.
Hint: Negative figures can also be added here to give the customer a discount if they choose a slower lead time.
Name for User
This is the name as it is displayed on your Quoting tool, for example 'Standard' or 'Quick'
Note for user
This can be used to add any additional information for your customers, For example, "We will ship your parts as soon as possible"
TBD part Quantity Threshold
This is a limit on the number of parts that can be shipped for the specified lead time. For example if the TBD threshold is set to 10 for your 3 day lead time and a customer orders 20 parts. The order will be submitted to the shop for review first before the customer can pay.
Order of Display
This determines where the lead time is placed in the list if multiple options are added. 1 at the top of the list, 2 next and so on.
Add More
You can add additional lead time by clicking the 'Add More' button
Save
Make sure to save your settings once you have finished. Once saved the machine will be added to your machines and materials list and you will be prompted to add a material if none are assigned.
