QuoteEstimator - MNMUK Quoting Support
Purpose: Rapid rough-order-of-magnitude estimates for quoting. Not a replacement for proper process planning, but gets you in the ballpark fast.
When to Activate
- "How long to make this part?"
- "Rough quote for [part description]"
- "Estimate cycle time for..."
- "What would it cost to make 500 of these?"
- "Quick estimate for quoting"
Disclaimer
These are rough estimates for quoting purposes. Actual times depend on:
- Specific geometry complexity
- Tolerance requirements
- Surface finish specs
- Fixturing approach
- Tooling availability
- Operator experience
Always add contingency and verify with experienced estimator for critical quotes.
Machine Hourly Rates
MNMUK Rate Card (Adjust to your actual rates)
| Machine Category |
Machine |
Rate (£/hr) |
Notes |
| 5-Axis Mill |
NMV3000, DMU50, NHX500 |
£85-95 |
High capability |
| 4-Axis Mill |
Vertical VMC |
£65-75 |
Standard work |
| CNC Turning |
NLX2500, ALX2000 |
£60-70 |
Live tooling adds £5 |
| Precision Turning |
HARDINGE |
£75-85 |
±0.003mm work |
| Swiss |
CITIZEN |
£80-90 |
High volume, precision |
| Wire EDM |
MITSUBISHI |
£55-65 |
Slow but precise |
| Spark EDM |
MITSUBISHI |
£50-60 |
Electrode cost separate |
| Fast Response |
Haas |
£45-55 |
Prototypes |
Rate Factors
Base Rate × Material Factor × Tolerance Factor × Complexity Factor = Effective Rate
Material Factors
| Material |
Factor |
Reasoning |
| Aluminium (6061) |
0.8 |
Fast cutting, easy |
| Aluminium (7075) |
0.9 |
Slightly harder |
| Brass/Bronze |
0.85 |
Free machining |
| Mild Steel (1018) |
1.0 |
Baseline |
| Carbon Steel (4140) |
1.1 |
Harder, more wear |
| Stainless 303 |
1.2 |
Free machining SS |
| Stainless 304/316 |
1.4 |
Work hardening, gummy |
| 17-4PH |
1.5 |
Tough stainless |
| Tool Steel (pre-hard) |
1.3 |
Abrasive |
| Tool Steel (hardened) |
2.0+ |
EDM only typically |
| Titanium (CP) |
1.6 |
Slow speeds required |
| Titanium (6Al-4V) |
1.8 |
Very slow, careful |
| Inconel 718 |
2.2 |
Extreme tool wear |
| Hastelloy |
2.5 |
Worst case scenario |
| Delrin/Acetal |
0.7 |
Easy, watch heat |
| PEEK |
1.3 |
Expensive material |
| Nylon |
0.75 |
Easy, flexible |
Tolerance Factors
| Tolerance Band |
Factor |
Notes |
| ±0.25mm (±0.010") |
0.9 |
Loose, fast |
| ±0.125mm (±0.005") |
1.0 |
Standard |
| ±0.05mm (±0.002") |
1.2 |
Careful work |
| ±0.025mm (±0.001") |
1.4 |
Precision |
| ±0.012mm (±0.0005") |
1.7 |
High precision |
| ±0.005mm (±0.0002") |
2.0 |
Grinding territory |
| ±0.003mm |
2.5 |
Swiss/HARDINGE only |
Complexity Factors
| Complexity |
Factor |
Examples |
| Simple |
0.8 |
Round part, few features |
| Standard |
1.0 |
Typical machined part |
| Moderate |
1.3 |
Multiple setups, tight tolerances mixed with loose |
| Complex |
1.6 |
5-axis, multiple operations, thin walls |
| Very Complex |
2.0+ |
Extreme geometry, exotic material + tight tolerance |
Cycle Time Estimation
Turning Operations
OD Turning
Time (min) = (Length × Passes × π × Diameter) / (Feed × Speed × 1000)
Simplified:
Rough: Volume removed (cm³) × 0.5 min/cm³
Finish: Surface area (cm²) × 0.02 min/cm²
Quick Estimates - OD Turning:
| Part Size |
Rough |
Finish |
Total |
| Ø25 × 50mm |
0.5 min |
0.3 min |
0.8 min |
| Ø50 × 100mm |
2 min |
1 min |
3 min |
| Ø100 × 150mm |
6 min |
2.5 min |
8.5 min |
| Ø150 × 200mm |
12 min |
4 min |
16 min |
ID Boring
Multiply OD time × 1.5 (slower, less rigid)
Deep bores (L/D > 4): × 2.0
Threading
Single-point: 0.3 min per 25mm thread length (standard pitch)
Thread milling: 0.5 min per thread
Tapping: 0.1 min per hole (standard)
Grooving/Parting
Grooving: 0.2 min per groove
Part-off: Diameter (mm) × 0.01 min
Milling Operations
Face Milling
Time = (Area / (Width of Cut × Feed Rate)) + Approach
Quick: Area (cm²) × 0.02 min/cm² for roughing
Area (cm²) × 0.01 min/cm² for finishing
Pocket Milling
Volume (cm³) × 0.8 min/cm³ (aluminium)
Volume (cm³) × 1.5 min/cm³ (steel)
Volume (cm³) × 3.0 min/cm³ (stainless/titanium)
Add 50% for finishing passes
Drilling
Standard drill: Depth (mm) × 0.02 min/mm
Peck drilling: Depth (mm) × 0.04 min/mm
Deep hole (>5xD): Depth (mm) × 0.08 min/mm
5-Axis Contouring
Surface area (cm²) × 0.15 min/cm² (aluminium)
Surface area (cm²) × 0.3 min/cm² (steel)
Surface area (cm²) × 0.5 min/cm² (titanium)
Complex surfaces: Add 50-100%
Swiss Operations
Small precision parts (Ø3-10mm):
- Simple: 30-60 sec/part
- Standard: 60-120 sec/part
- Complex: 120-300 sec/part
Medium parts (Ø10-25mm):
- Simple: 60-120 sec/part
- Standard: 120-240 sec/part
- Complex: 240-480 sec/part
EDM Operations
Wire EDM
Cut length (mm) × thickness (mm) × 0.003 min/mm² (roughing)
Add 50% per skim pass (typically 2-4 skim passes)
Example: 100mm perimeter × 25mm thick
- Rough: 100 × 25 × 0.003 = 7.5 min
- 3 skims: 7.5 × 1.5 × 1.5 × 1.5 = 25 min total
Spark EDM
Volume to remove (cm³) × 30-60 min/cm³
Roughing faster, finishing much slower
Electrode making: Add 1-4 hours depending on complexity
Setup Time Estimates
| Operation Type |
First Setup |
Repeat Setup |
| Simple turning |
30 min |
15 min |
| Complex turning (live tooling) |
60 min |
30 min |
| Swiss |
90 min |
45 min |
| 3-axis milling |
30 min |
15 min |
| 4-axis milling |
45 min |
20 min |
| 5-axis milling |
60-90 min |
30 min |
| Wire EDM |
30 min |
15 min |
| Spark EDM |
60 min + electrode |
30 min |
| Multiple operations |
Sum of each |
Sum × 0.7 |
Quick Quote Formula
Total Cost = (Setup Cost) + (Run Cost × Quantity) + (Material Cost) + (Secondary Ops)
Where:
- Setup Cost = Setup Time × Hourly Rate
- Run Cost = Cycle Time × Hourly Rate × Material Factor × Tolerance Factor
- Material Cost = Weight × £/kg × Waste Factor (typically 1.3-1.5)
- Secondary Ops = Finishing, heat treat, plating, inspection (get quotes)
Quantity Breaks
| Quantity |
Multiplier |
Notes |
| 1-5 |
1.5 |
Prototype pricing |
| 6-25 |
1.2 |
Small batch |
| 26-100 |
1.0 |
Standard |
| 101-500 |
0.9 |
Efficiency gains |
| 500+ |
0.8 |
Volume pricing |
Estimation Workflow
Step 1: Feasibility (Use PlantCapability)
- Can we make it?
- Which machine?
- Any showstoppers?
Step 2: Operation Breakdown
|-----|-------------|---------|-------|-------|
| 10 | | | min | min |
| 20 | | | min | min |
| 30 | | | min | min |
Step 3: Apply Factors
Base cycle time: X min
× Material factor (Y): X × Y = Z min
× Tolerance factor (T): Z × T = A min
× Complexity factor (C): A × C = B min
Adjusted cycle time: B min
Step 4: Calculate Costs
Setup: [time] × £[rate] = £____
Run: [cycle] × [qty] × £[rate/60] = £____
Material: [weight] × £[per kg] × 1.3 = £____
Secondary: £____
Subtotal: £____
Margin (25-40%): £____
**Quote: £____**
Quote Output Template
# ROUGH QUOTE ESTIMATE
**Date:** YYYY-MM-DD
**Customer:**
**Part:**
**Quantity:**
---
## Part Summary
- Material:
- Envelope: L × W × H mm
- Weight (est): kg
- Key tolerances:
- Surface finish:
## Feasibility
- [x] Within capability
- Machine(s):
- Risks:
---
## Operations Breakdown
|----|-------------|---------|-------------|-------------|
| 10 | | | | |
| 20 | | | | |
| 30 | | | | |
| **Total** | | | **X** | **Y** |
---
## Factors Applied
|--------|-------|-----------|
| Material | × | |
| Tolerance | × | |
| Complexity | × | |
| **Combined** | **×** | |
**Adjusted cycle:** Y × [combined] = Z min/part
---
## Cost Calculation
|------|-------------|------|
| Setup | X min × £[rate]/60 | £ |
| Run (× qty) | Z min × [qty] × £[rate]/60 | £ |
| Material | [wt] × £[/kg] × [qty] × 1.3 | £ |
| Secondary ops | [detail] | £ |
| **Subtotal** | | **£** |
| Margin ([%]) | | £ |
| **Quote Total** | | **£** |
**Per Part:** £ each at qty [X]
---
## Assumptions & Exclusions
### Assumptions
-
### Exclusions
-
### Validity
- Quote valid for: 30 days
- Lead time estimate: X weeks
---
## Notes
### Risks
-
### Alternatives
-
---
*Rough estimate only. Final quote subject to drawing review and process planning.*
Quick Reference Tables
Cycle Time Rules of Thumb
| Part Type |
Quick Estimate |
| Simple turned (Ø25-50) |
2-5 min |
| Complex turned (Ø50-100) |
8-20 min |
| Swiss part (small) |
1-3 min |
| Simple prismatic (milled) |
5-15 min |
| 5-axis component |
20-60 min |
| Wire EDM profile |
30-120 min |
Setup Time Rules of Thumb
| Scenario |
Estimate |
| Repeat job, tooling available |
15-30 min |
| New job, simple |
30-45 min |
| New job, complex |
60-120 min |
| New job, 5-axis or Swiss |
90-180 min |
Cost Sanity Checks
| Part Type |
£/part Range (qty 100) |
| Simple turned bushing |
£2-8 |
| Complex turned shaft |
£15-50 |
| Swiss precision pin |
£3-15 |
| Milled bracket (aluminium) |
£10-40 |
| 5-axis aerospace part |
£50-500 |
| EDM detail |
£30-200 |
Example Estimates
Example 1: Turned Shaft
Part: Ø50 × 150mm shaft, 4140 steel, ±0.025mm on bearing diameters
Qty: 100
Operations:
- OP10: Face, turn OD, drill center (NLX2500)
- OP20: Flip, face to length, finish bearing seats
Cycle estimate:
- Rough turning: 4 min
- Finish turning: 2 min
- Total: 6 min base
Factors:
- Material (4140): × 1.1
- Tolerance (±0.025): × 1.4
- Complexity (standard): × 1.0
- Combined: × 1.54
Adjusted cycle: 6 × 1.54 = 9.2 min
Costs (at £65/hr):
- Setup: 45 min × £65/60 = £49
- Run: 9.2 min × 100 × £65/60 = £997
- Material: 2.3kg × £3/kg × 100 × 1.3 = £897
- Subtotal: £1,943
- Margin (30%): £583
- Quote: £2,526 (£25.26/part)
Example 2: Swiss Medical Pin
Part: Ø4 × 20mm pin, 316SS, ±0.01mm, qty 1000
Machine: CITIZEN LFV
Cycle estimate: 90 sec base (complex small part)
Factors:
- Material (316SS): × 1.4
- Tolerance (±0.01): × 1.5
- Complexity (moderate): × 1.3
- Combined: × 2.73
Adjusted cycle: 90 × 2.73 = 246 sec = 4.1 min
Costs (at £85/hr):
- Setup: 90 min × £85/60 = £128
- Run: 4.1 min × 1000 × £85/60 = £5,808
- Material: 0.02kg × £8/kg × 1000 × 1.3 = £208
- Subtotal: £6,144
- Margin (30%): £1,843
- Quote: £7,987 (£7.99/part)
Integration
- PlantCapability: Check feasibility before estimating
- CNCSetup: Setup times based on actual setup sheet complexity
- TribalKnowledge: Adjust factors based on captured experience
- AutomotiveManufacturing: Link to PPAP/APQP costing requirements