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4-Axis CNC
Updated this week

4-Axis Milling is defined as a part that needs to be rotated on either the X or Y axis to be machined completely.

If a part has features that require the part to be turned on both the X & Y, it will be defined as a 'Multi-Axis' part.

Creating a new 4-Axis Milling 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 4-Axis Milling.

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.

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:

By default we orient parts with X ≥ Y ≥ Z so that the largest dimension is in X, and smallest in Z.

Accept Drawings

You can give your customers the option to upload a drawing with their CAD file or make it a requirement.

Choose Pricing Method

Choose to use the Price Matching Tool or to manually set up your pricing.

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 Roughing and Finishing Speed (detailed below)

Example Calculation

  1. A part has a surface area of 1000cm2 and the complexity 'Very Simple' with a cycle time multiplier of 1. The finishing speed is set to 500cm2 Per hour. The total time for finishing is 2 hours.

  2. A part has a surface area of 1000cm2 and the complexity 'Highly Complex' with a cycle time multiplier of 2. This finishing speed is set to 500cm2 Per Hour. The total time for finishing is 4 hours.

Machine Specs

Roughing Speed

This is the speed at which the machine can remove material from the block from around the part. This is based on a material with 100% Machineability and acceptable tool wear.

Finishing Speed

This is the speed at which the machine can run during the finishing work done close to the surface of the part. This number is generally lower than the roughing speed as more time is needed to ensure a good surface finish.

Time per clamp/reclamp

In 4 Axis CNC, adding a clamping/reclamping time allows for additional time to be added to adjust the part if there are features requiring the 5th Axis.

4 axis with reclamping: will only calculate features parallel to at least one plane.

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.

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

Features

The Features section is where you can define and set costs for a variety of hole types. For example, Simple Hole, Threaded Hole, Countersunk.

Feature Name

This is the name of the feature, example Countersunk Hole

Feature Type

This is the type of feature or the direction in which the feature is oriented.

Radial (cylindrical parts only)

This is a hole that runs perpendicular to the axis of the cylinder, often starting on a curved face.

Axial (cylindrical parts only)

This is a hole that runs parallel with the axis of a cylindrical part.

Reduction (cylindrical parts only)

This is a reduction in diameter of a cylinder resulting in concentric cylinders.

Any Direction - A hole in a non-cylindrical part

  • Hole Form (Any direction only)

    This is the type of hole, for example, Simple or Countersunk

  • Through/Not Through (Any direction only)

    This defines if the hole is a through or not through hole. Allowing you to price these differently.

  • Min Ratio (Any Direction only)

    This is the minimum ratio for hole depth to hole diameter.

  • Max Ratio (Any Direction only)

    This is the maximum ratio for the hole depth to hole diameter.

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 save the machine will be added to your machines and materials list and you will be prompted to add a material if none are assigned.

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