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.
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.
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
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.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.
Features
The Features section is where you can define and set costs for Holes, Slots, Pockets, and Notches.
Feature Topology
This is the type of feature. Select from Hole, Slot, Pocket or Notch.
Hole
Hole Settings
Hole Settings
Feature Type
This is the type of feature or the direction in which the feature is oriented.
Any Direction
- A hole in any direction on a non-cylindrical part
Axial (cylindrical parts only)
- This is a hole that runs parallel with the axis of a cylindrical part.
Radial (cylindrical parts only)
- This is a hole that runs perpendicular to the axis of the cylinder, often starting on a curved face.
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 priced using the feature pricing method.
Min Radius
The minimum allowed radius of the hole.
Max Ratio
This is the maximum ratio between the depth and the radius of the hole. For example: A ratio of 10 would allow a hole 10 times deeper than the radius.
Price-based costs
Price per feature
The price to machine this specific feature. Charged for every feature that falls into this hole category.
Example Calculation
A part has 10 identical holes. The price per feature for these holes is $2.
Qty 10 * $2 = $20 to machine all holes.
Price Setup
The setup cost to machine this specific feature. This is charged only once for all features that fall into the same category.
Example Calculation
A part has 5 holes with a ratio of 4 & 5 holes with a ratio of 12. The setup cost for the first hole is $5, the setup cost for the second hole is $10.
$5 * 5 = $25
$10 * 5 = $50
1 x qty has $75 added setup cost applied
10 x qty has the $75 setup cost spread between all copies = $7.5
Time-based costs
These calculate the time taken to program, set up and machine the feature. This time is then multiplied by the relevant price per hour and added to the total cost.
Time of running per unit of measurement, per-piece
This is the time taken to machine each copy of the same specific feature. Per-piece costs are calculated for all relevant holes in every part.
Example Calculation
A part has 5 holes and the Time of Running per unit is set to 2min.
5 * 2 =10min to machine the holes.
Time of operator per unit of measurement, one‑off, recurring
The amount of time an operator needs to be involved to setup/prove out the machining of this feature. Recurring costs are calculated once for each hole category.
Example Calculation
A part has 5 holes with a ratio of 4 & 5 holes with a ratio of 12. The setup time for the first hole is 5 mins, and the setup time for the second hole is 10 mins.
$5 * 5 = 25 mins
$10 * 5 = 50 mins
1 x qty has 75 mins added setup time applied
10 x qty has the 75 mins setup time spread between all copies = 7.5 mins
Time of programmer per unit of measurement, one‑off, non-recurring
This is the time taken to program this specific feature. These are automatically added for every order when using the external widget but you can choose to use these for repeat orders when using the CNC Copilot.
Example Calculation
A part has 10 holes and the Time of programmer per unit is set to 5.
10 * 5 = 50min
Include Non-Recurring ON
The programming time for these holes is added to the total price.
Include Non-Recurring OFF
The programming time for these holes is not added to the total price.
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 priced using the feature pricing method.
Min Radius
The minimum allowed radius of the of the slot end.
Max Ratio
This is the maximum ratio between the depth and the radius of the slot. For example: A ratio of 10 would allow a slot 10 times deeper than the radius.
Price-based costs
Price per feature
The price to machine this specific feature. Charged for every feature that falls into this hole category.
Example Calculation
A part has 10 identical slots. The price per feature for these slots is $2.
Qty 10 * $2 = $20 to machine all slots.
Price Setup
The setup cost to machine this specific feature. This is charged only once for all features that fall into the same category.
Example Calculation
A part has 5 slots with a ratio of 4 & 5 slots with a ratio of 12. The setup cost for the first slot is $5, the setup cost for the second slot is $10.
$5 * 5 = $25
$10 * 5 = $50
1 x qty has $75 added setup cost applied
10 x qty has the $75 setup cost spread between all copies = $7.5
Time-based costs
These calculate the time taken to program, set up and machine the feature. This time is then multiplied by the relevant price per hour and added to the total cost.
Time of running per unit of measurement, per-piece
This is the time taken to machine each copy of the same specific feature. Per-piece costs are calculated for all relevant holes in every part.
Example Calculation
A part has 5 slots and the Time of Running per unit is set to 2min.
5 * 2 =10min to machine the slots.
Time of operator per unit of measurement, one‑off, recurring
The amount of time an operator needs to be involved to setup/prove out the machining of this feature. Recurring costs are calculated once for each hole category.
Example Calculation
A part has 5 holes with a ratio of 4 & 5 holes with a ratio of 12. The setup time for the first hole is 5 mins, and the setup time for the second hole is 10 mins.
$5 * 5 = 25 mins
$10 * 5 = 50 mins
1 x qty has 75 mins added setup time applied
10 x qty has the 75 mins setup time spread between all copies = 7.5 mins
Time of programmer per unit of measurement, one‑off, non-recurring
This is the time taken to program this specific feature. These are automatically added for every order when using the external widget but you can choose to use these for repeat orders when using the CNC Copilot.
Example Calculation
A part has 10 slots and the Time of programmer per unit is set to 5.
10 * 5 = 50min
Include Non-Recurring ON
The programming time for these slots is added to the total price.
Include Non-Recurring OFF
The programming time for these slots is not added to the total price.
Pockets
Pocket Settings
Pocket Settings
Blind/Not Blind
Defines if the pocket is Blind/Not Blind.
Max Angle
Sets the maximum angle of draft the pocket is allowed to be considered a pocket by Digifabster. Features outside of this limit will not be priced using the feature pricing method.
Min Radius
The minimum allowed radius of the pocket corners.
Max Ratio
This is the maximum ratio between the depth and the radius of the pocket. For example: A ratio of 10 would allow a pocket 10 times deeper than the radius.
Price-based costs
Price per feature
The price to machine this specific feature. Charged for every feature that falls into this hole category.
Example Calculation
A part has 10 identical pockets. The price per feature for these pockets is $2.
Qty 10 * $2 = $20 to machine all pockets.
Price Setup
The setup cost to machine this specific feature. This is charged only once for all features that fall into the same category.
Example Calculation
A part has 5 pockets with a ratio of 4 & 5 pockets with a ratio of 12. The setup cost for the first pocket is $5, and the setup cost for the second pocket is $10.
$5 * 5 = $25
$10 * 5 = $50
1 x qty has $75 added setup cost applied
10 x qty has the $75 setup cost spread between all copies = 7.5 mins
Time-based costs
These calculate the time taken to program, set up and machine the feature. This time is then multiplied by the relevant price per hour and added to the total cost.
Time of running per unit of measurement, per-piece
This is the time taken to machine each copy of the same specific feature. Per-piece costs are calculated for all relevant pockets in every part.
Example Calculation
A part has 5 pockets and the Time of Running per unit is set to 2min.
5 * 2 =10min to machine the pockets.
Time of operator per unit of measurement, one‑off, recurring
The amount of time an operator needs to be involved to setup/prove out the machining of this feature. Recurring costs are calculated once for each hole category.
Example Calculation
A part has 5 pockets with a ratio of 4 & 5 pockets with a ratio of 12. The setup time for the first pocket is 5 mins, and the setup time for the second pockets is 10 mins.
5 * 5 = 25 mins
10 * 5 = 50 mins
1 x qty has 75 mins added setup time applied
10 x qty has the 75mins setup cost spread between all copies = 7.5 mins
Time of programmer per unit of measurement, one‑off, non-recurring
This is the time taken to program this specific feature. These are automatically added for every order when using the external widget but you can choose to use these for repeat orders when using the CNC Copilot.
Example Calculation
A part has 10 pockets and the Time of programmer per unit is set to 5.
10 * 5 = 50min
Include Non-Recurring ON
The programming time for these pockets is added to the total price.
Include Non-Recurring OFF
The programming time for these pockets is not added to the total price.
Notches
Notch Settings
Notch Settings
Blind/Not Blind
Defines if the notch is Blind/Not Blind.
Max Angle
Sets the maximum angle of draft the notch is allowed to be considered a notch by Digifabster. Features outside of this limit will not be priced using the feature pricing method.
Min Radius
The minimum allowed radius of the notch corners.
Max Ratio
This is the maximum ratio between the depth and the diameter of the notch. For example: A ratio of 10 would allow a notch 10 times deeper than the diameter.
Price-based costs
Price per feature
The price to machine this specific feature. Charged for every feature that falls into this hole category.
Example Calculation
A part has 10 identical notches. The price per feature for these notch is $2.
Qty 10 * $2 = $20 to machine all notches.
Price Setup
The setup cost to machine this specific feature. This is calculated for all features that fall into the same category but charged only once for the line item.
Example Calculation
A part has 5 notches with a ratio of 4 & 5 notches with a ratio of 12. The setup cost for the first notch is $5, the setup cost for the second notch is $20.
$5 * 5 = $25
$20 * 5 = $100
1 x qty has $125 setup cost applied
10 x qty has the $125 setup cost spread between it = $12.50
Time-based costs
These calculate the time taken to program, set up and machine the feature. This time is then multiplied by the relevant price per hour and added to the total cost.
Time of running per unit of measurement, per-piece
This is the time taken to machine each copy of the same specific feature. Per-piece costs are calculated for all relevant holes in every part.
Example Calculation
A part has 5 notches and the Time of Running per unit is set to 2min.
5 * 2 = 10min to machine the notches.
Time of operator per unit of measurement, one‑off, recurring
The amount of time an operator needs to be involved to setup/prove out the machining of this feature. Recurring costs are calculated once for each notch- category.
Example Calculation
A part has 5 notches with a ratio of 4 & 5 notches with a ratio of 12. The setup time for the first notch is 5 mins, the setup time for the second notch is 10 mins.
5 * 5 = 25 mins
10 * 5 = 50 mins
1 x qty has 75 mins added setup time applied
10 x qty has the 75mins setup cost spread between all copies = 7.5 mins
Time of programmer per unit of measurement, one‑off, non-recurring
This is the time taken to program this specific feature. These are automatically added for every order when using the external widget but you can choose to use these for repeat orders when using the CNC Copilot.
Example Calculation
A part has 10 notches and the Time of programmer per unit is set to 5.
10 * 5 = 50min
Include Non-Recurring ON
The programming time for these notches is added to the total price.
Include Non-Recurring OFF
The programming time for these notches is not added to the total price.
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 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.
