Creating a new 4-axis material will present a number of options for you to combine with your machine pricing structure and create your final 4-Axis pricing. You can decide to use as many or as few of these options as you wish. Digifabster will analyze 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.

This is the machine that you will be assigning this new material to. If you would like to change the selected machine, use the drop-down menu and select the correct one.

Here you can select from a pre-set material name or add your own by typing in the box and clicking "create new material". This name could be the material name, type, or even an internal ID number.

This is the name that is displayed on the widget, for example, 'Aluminium' or 'Steel'

This can hold additional information to help your customer make a decision. For example, "Durable plastic with UV resistance for outdoor use."

This will link your customers to the spec sheet for the material. This could be a URL to the document on your site or on the material manufacturer's site.

This allows you to tag the materials to help identify them more easily.

You may need to order some materials specially, in order to account for this you can add additional time onto the lead time by adding an 'Expected Production Time' This is to account for the ordering, delivery, and prep of this material.

If you have a standard lead time of 10 days set for your Sheetmetal machine and then set an additional 3 days to the expected production days. These will be added together to give a total of 13 days for the lead time.

This cost is applied only once per material per order. It is intended to cover the cost of, for example, loading the tooling in the machine.

The programming cost is applied to each model in this material. It is intended to account for the programming of the print.

Example Calculation

Ticking this box will apply the programming cost for every batch of parts.

Example Calculation

Your customer uploads one model but asks for 100 copies of this part. Your machine can only print 25 copies at one time. (4 Batches/Print Runs are required)

Without box ticked the programming cost will only be applied once for the full qty of parts.

1 x $15 = Total Programming cost $15

With the box ticked, the programming cost is applied to every "batch" or "print run" to account for time required to start the machine etc.

4 x $15 = Total Programming Cost $60

The volume of subtracted material is combined with the complexity and the exponent (detailed below), then multiplied by the cost per cm3. This total is then added to other costs to generate your final price.

The exponent for subtracted material is used to make the price of models that require more material removal, more attractive to your customers. A number below 1 will make larger models cheaper, a number above 1 will make them more expensive.

For more information on exponents, see this article on how they are used for volume-based discounts.

The surface area of the part is combined with the complexity and the exponent (detailed below), then multiplied by the cost per cm2. This total is then added to other costs to generate your final price.

The exponent for surface area is used to make the price of models with larger surface areas more attractive to your customers. A number below 1 will make larger models cheaper, a number above 1 will make them more expensive.

For more information on exponents, see this article on how they are used for volume-based discounts.

The bounding box volume is combined with the complexity and the exponent (detailed below), then multiplied by the cost per cm3. This total is then added to other costs to generate your final price.

The exponent for bounding box volume is used to make the price of models with larger bounding box volumes more attractive to your customers. A number below 1 will make larger models cheaper, a number above 1 will make them more expensive.

For more information on exponents, see this article on how they are used for volume-based discounts.

This is the thinnest that you can machine a wall. During the analysis of the part, DigiFabster checks wall thickness to see if a wall falls below this amount. It will then be highlighted to your customer that it could be a problem.

The machinability of the material will adjust the machining time. A number less than 100% will increase the machining time. A number more than 100% will decrease the machining time.

As the material is worked, it becomes harder to machine. The work hardening exponent increases or decreases the final cost by using the exponent combined with the overall cycle time.

Adding extra material around the part may be required to hold the material in place and ensure the part does not move around. Add the amount of extra material around the bounding box of the part here.

The surface area of the part can be used to account for complex work or finishing passes. This total is then added to other costs to generate your final price.

The perimeter of the part is multiplied by the cost and added to the total cost. This is particularly useful when the majority of your parts require 2.5D cutting.

The minimum cost you are happy to charge per part. This is only used if the manufacturing price of the part is below this threshold. It is then multiplied by the number of parts.

Material costs can be specified in 3 different ways. Bar/Sheet Stock, Round Stock, or Price Per Kilo.

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This section lets you add the post-production options your shop offers for this material These can be controlled with the icons to the right of the post-production type. You can duplicate, delete, and turn the option on/off. Clicking the drop-down arrow will show the parameters for the selected post process.

The title of the post-production. This can be the internal name of the process or the name for your customers. This will be used if the 'name for user' section is not completed.

The price for the post process can be charged based on a number of options.

The setup cost is applied once for all copies of the same model. This is intended to cover costs like purchasing specific materials, cleaning down work areas, etc.

If the calculation returns a price less than the minimum price. This figure will be quoted to your customer. This ensures you are not undercharging for your work due to small parts.

This allows you to create logical groups of post processes. For example, different types of 'Surface Finishes'. Assign each option to the same 'grouping title' to see them grouped together.

When using this, the order will trigger a manual review request. You can then review the order and the post-process request before accepting it. Great for making sure you can complete the order as requested.

This adds a number count option for your customers to assign

The expected production days are added to the lead time to give a total lead time during the order process. The expected production days are the additional days required to complete the post process.

he name that is used on the widget for this post process. If this option is not completed, the 'Title' will be used.

Add additional details about the post process in this section. For example, details about the surface finish or the effect the post process has on the part.

This determines where the post-process option is placed in the list if multiple options are added. 1 at the top of the list, 2 next, and so on.

Add additional post-production options, different from the premade selection.

This section allows you to add additional questions or information for both you and your customer by creating a group of options. For example "Print all parts in the same orientation?" with options for your customers "Yes, No, Don't Mind"

These can be controlled with the icons to the right of the post-production type. You can duplicate, delete, and turn the option on/off. Clicking the drop-down arrow will show the parameters for the selected post process.

This is the chosen title of your group of options. This could also be the question or statement you wish to make. ("Print parts in the same orientation")

This determines where the group is placed in the list if multiple options are added. 1 at the top of the list, 2 next, and so on.

Click this to create your first option.

The first option in your group of options ("Yes"). Adding additional options will create sequentially numbered options.

This allows you to add additional groups to gather more information from your customers during the order process.