If you’re developing CNC machining prototypes, Промышленные детали, or custom components, understanding machining design cost is critical for budgeting and avoiding unexpected expenses. Unlike material or machining fees, machining design cost has no fixed standard—it ranges from 500 RMB for simple parts к tens of thousands of RMB for complex, multi-functional designs. This guide breaks down the core factors shaping costs, provides practical price references, shares cost-saving strategies, and answers common questions to help you make informed decisions.
1. 6 Core Factors That Impact Machining Design Cost
Machining design cost is shaped by tangible elements, from the complexity of the part to the expertise of the design team. Below is a detailed breakdown with real numbers to illustrate their impact:
(1) Сложность дизайна
Complexity is the single biggest driver of cost. Простой, regular shapes require minimal time and effort, while parts with special structures or functional requirements demand more resources:
| Complexity Level | Ключевые черты | Design Time Range | Диапазон затрат (юаней) | Типичные примеры |
| Простой | Regular shapes (squares, circles), no assembly features, basic dimensions | 1 ~ 3 дни | 500 ~ 2,000 | Small flat brackets, single-hole spacers |
| Середина | Изогнутые поверхности, simple assembly structures (НАПРИМЕР., 2–3 mating parts), стандартные допуски (± 0,1 мм) | 3 ~ 7 дни | 2,000 ~ 5,000 | CNC-machined housings, gear blanks with basic teeth |
| Высокий | Special-shaped structures (НАПРИМЕР., internal hollows, тонкие стены <2мм), multi-part assembly, плотные допуски (± 0,01 мм), functional simulations (motion/heat) | 7 ~ 15+ дни | 5,000 ~ 20,000+ | Аэрокосмические компоненты, medical device parts with fluid flow requirements |
Пример: A simple square bracket (100mm×50mm×10mm) costs 500–1,000 RMB to design. A complex medical implant with internal channels and tight tolerances costs 10,000–15,000 RMB—10–30x more.
(2) Design Scope & Deliverables
The range of services included in the design package directly affects cost. Basic 3D modeling is affordable, while full-process design (including optimization and simulation) adds significant expenses:
| Design Scope | Key Deliverables | Диапазон затрат (юаней) | Лучше всего для |
| Basic 3D Modeling | 3D Модель (STL/STEP format) based on client sketches/concepts, no optimization | 500 ~ 2,000 | Clients with clear requirements, Простые части |
| Standard Design | 3D Модель + 2D engineering drawings (размеры, допуски), basic design review | 2,000 ~ 8,000 | Most industrial prototypes, функциональные части |
| Full-Process Design | 3D Модель + 2D drawings + structural optimization (НАПРИМЕР., lightweighting) + functional simulation (strength/heat/dynamics) + assembly verification | 8,000 ~ 30,000+ | Критические части (aerospace/medical), multi-part systems |
Ключевая нота: Adding simulation alone can increase cost by 30–50%. Например, a standard gear design (2,000 юаней) becomes 3,000–3,500 RMB with strength simulation.
(3) CNC Programming Fees
Programming fees are often bundled with design costs or charged separately, depending on process complexity. Simple programming for single-axis machining is cheap, while multi-axis or high-precision programming demands premium prices:
| Сложность программирования | Ключевые черты | Диапазон затрат (юаней) | Типичные приложения |
| Простой | Single-process machining (НАПРИМЕР., milling a flat surface), regular shapes, basic toolpaths | 500 ~ 2,000 | Простые скобки, spacers |
| Середина | Multi-process machining (фрезерование + бурение + постукивание), 3-axis linkage, стандартные материалы (aluminum/ABS) | 2,000 ~ 5,000 | Корпусы, заготовки для передачи |
| Сложный | Multi-axis linkage (4–5 axis), high-precision surface treatment (Раствор <0.8мкм), special materials (titanium alloy/superalloys) | 5,000 ~ 15,000 | Аэрокосмические компоненты, Медицинские имплантаты |
Пример: Programming for a 3-axis milled aluminum housing costs 2,000–3,000 RMB. Programming for a 5-axis titanium alloy aerospace part costs 8,000–12,000 RMB—4x more.
(4) Выбор материала & Тестирование
If the design requires material iterations or testing (Чтобы проверить производительность), costs rise with the number of tests and the type of materials used:
| Material Testing Scope | Key Activities | Диапазон затрат (юаней) | Impact on Total Design Cost |
| No Testing | Client specifies material; design uses standard material properties (no physical testing) | 0 (Included in design fee) | Никто |
| Basic Testing | 1–2 material iterations (НАПРИМЕР., Абс против. нейлон), simple performance checks (предел прочности) | 1,000 ~ 3,000 | Adds 10–20% to design cost |
| Advanced Testing | Multiple material iterations (3+ параметры), comprehensive testing (heat resistance/corrosion/load), Сторонняя сертификация | 3,000 ~ 10,000+ | Adds 30–50% to design cost |
Пример: A design using client-specified ABS (no testing) расходы 3,000 юаней. The same design with ABS vs. nylon testing and tensile strength checks costs 4,000–4,500 RMB—30% more.
(5) Design Team Expertise
The skill and experience of the design team directly influence cost. Junior designers or small studios offer lower rates, while senior engineers or specialized firms command premiums for their expertise:
| Team Type | Expertise Level | Диапазон затрат (RMB/Day) | Ключевые преимущества |
| Individual/Junior Designers | Basic CAD skills, limited industrial experience, simple part design | 300 ~ 800 | Бюджетный, suitable for simple parts |
| Small Design Studios | 2–5 years of experience, proficiency in CAD/CAM software, basic simulation skills | 800 ~ 1,500 | Balanced cost and quality, good for standard parts |
| Professional Design Companies/Senior Engineers | 5+ многолетний опыт, expertise in specialized fields (aerospace/medical), advanced simulation (ANSYS/Abaqus), industry certifications | 1,500 ~ 3,000+ | Reliable solutions, optimization for complex/critical parts |
Пример: A simple bracket designed by a junior designer costs 500–800 RMB. The same bracket designed by a senior engineer (with design optimization) costs 1,200–1,500 RMB—2x more.
(6) Regional Variations
Design costs vary by location due to differences in labor rates and living expenses. First-tier cities have higher costs, while industrial hubs or second-tier cities offer more affordable options:
| Region Type | Диапазон затрат (RMB for Simple Parts) | Диапазон затрат (RMB for Complex Parts) | Key Cities |
| First-Tier Cities | 800 ~ 2,000 | 8,000 ~ 25,000+ | Beijing, Шанхай, Шэньчжэнь |
| Industrial Hubs/Second-Tier Cities | 500 ~ 1,500 | 5,000 ~ 18,000 | Dongguan (CNC hub), Сучжоу, Гуанчжоу |
| Third-Tier Cities | 300 ~ 1,000 | 3,000 ~ 12,000 | Чэнду, Ухан, Changzhou |
Пример: A medium-complexity housing design costs 3,000–4,000 RMB in Shenzhen (first-tier) против. 2,000–3,000 RMB in Dongguan (industrial hub)—25–30% cheaper.
2. Practical Machining Design Cost Reference Table
To quickly gauge if a design quote is reasonable, use this table of common part types and their typical costs:
| Тип частично | Complexity Level | Design Cost Range (юаней) | Programming Cost Range (юаней) | Total Cost Range (юаней) |
| Simple Bracket/Spacer | Простой | 500 ~ 1,500 | 500 ~ 1,500 | 1,000 ~ 3,000 |
| CNC-Machined Housing (3-ось) | Середина | 2,000 ~ 4,000 | 2,000 ~ 3,000 | 4,000 ~ 7,000 |
| Gear Blank (with basic teeth) | Середина | 3,000 ~ 5,000 | 2,500 ~ 4,000 | 5,500 ~ 9,000 |
| Aerospace Component (5-ось) | Высокий | 8,000 ~ 15,000 | 8,000 ~ 12,000 | 16,000 ~ 27,000 |
| Medical Implant (with simulation) | Высокий | 10,000 ~ 20,000 | 5,000 ~ 10,000 | 15,000 ~ 30,000 |
3. 4 Proven Tips to Reduce Machining Design Cost
You don’t have to compromise on quality to lower design costs. Try these strategies:
(1) Clarify Requirements Upfront
- Provide detailed sketches, 2D drawings, or reference models to avoid “design from scratch” fees. Например, a client with a clear 2D drawing can cut design time by 30–50%, reducing cost by 20–30%.
- Specify non-negotiables (НАПРИМЕР., материал, терпимость) and flexible elements (НАПРИМЕР., surface finish for non-visible parts) to avoid unnecessary iterations.
(2) Choose Phased Cooperation
- Split the project into phases: Start with basic 3D modeling (500–2,000 RMB), review and confirm, then move to optimization/programming. This avoids paying for full-process design if adjustments are needed early.
- Pay in stages (НАПРИМЕР., 30% аванс, 40% after modeling, 30% after delivery) to manage cash flow and ensure accountability.
(3) Match Team Expertise to Project Needs
- Для простых частей (brackets/spacers), use individual designers or small studios (300–1,500 RMB/day) instead of expensive professional firms.
- Для сложных частей, prioritize experienced teams—poor design from an unqualified team can lead to rework costs (2–3x the original design fee) later.
(4) Minimize Material Testing
- Use standard materials (НАПРИМЕР., алюминий 6061, АБС) with known properties instead of rare or custom materials—avoids testing fees.
- If testing is needed, limit iterations to 1–2 options (НАПРИМЕР., Абс против. нейлон) вместо 3+ to cut testing costs by 50%.
4. Key Precautions When Hiring a Design Team
To avoid overpaying or facing disputes, имейте это в виду:
(1) Avoid the Low-Price Trap
- A quote significantly below market average (НАПРИМЕР., 300 RMB for a medium-complexity design) may indicate inexperienced designers or hidden fees (НАПРИМЕР., extra charges for modifications).
- Ask for a detailed breakdown of costs (моделирование, программирование, тестирование) to ensure transparency.
(2) Clarify Contract Terms
- Confirm the number of included modifications (НАПРИМЕР., 2 free revisions vs. extra charges for each change).
- Specify deliverables (НАПРИМЕР., 3D model formats, 2D drawing standards) и послепродажная поддержка (НАПРИМЕР., help with machining issues).
(3) Protect Intellectual Property
- Sign a Non-Disclosure Agreement (NDA) if the design involves trade secrets (НАПРИМЕР., medical device structures, аэрокосмические компоненты).
- Confirm ownership of the design files—ensure you receive full rights to the 3D/2D models after payment.
Yigu Technology’s Perspective on Machining Design Cost
В Yigu Technology, Мы верим transparency and targeted design are the keys to fair machining design costs. Many clients overspend by hiring top-tier firms for simple parts or requesting unnecessary simulations for non-critical components. Our team matches resources to project needs: for simple brackets, we recommend junior designers (500–1,500 RMB) to save costs; для аэрокосмических частей, we deploy senior engineers with ANSYS simulation expertise (8,000–15,000 RMB) Для обеспечения надежности. We also offer phased cooperation and detailed cost breakdowns, so clients know exactly where their money goes. By optimizing design scope and avoiding over-engineering, we help clients cut design costs by 20–30% while maintaining quality—our goal is to make professional machining design accessible and cost-effective.
Часто задаваемые вопросы
- Is CNC programming always a separate cost from machining design?
No—programming is often bundled with design for simple/medium-complexity parts (НАПРИМЕР., a 3-axis housing design may include programming for 2,000–3,000 RMB total). Для сложных частей (5-ось, special materials), programming is usually quoted separately, as it requires specialized skills and more time.
- How much does it cost to add structural simulation to a machining design?
Structural simulation (НАПРИМЕР., сила, нагревать, or fluid flow analysis) typically adds 3,000–8,000 RMB to the design cost, в зависимости от сложности. Например, a basic strength simulation for an aluminum bracket costs 3,000–4,000 RMB, while a multi-physics simulation (нагревать + нагрузка) for a titanium part costs 6,000–8,000 RMB.
- Can I reduce design cost by providing my own 3D model?
Yes—if you provide a usable 3D model (STEP/IGES format) that meets machining requirements, the design team only needs to review and optimize it (При необходимости), cutting cost by 40–60%. Например, a design that would cost 5,000 RMB from scratch may cost 2,000–3,000 RMB with a client-provided model.