If you’re sourcing CNC-machined ABS parts for prototypes, consumer goods, or industrial components, understanding the price structure is key to budgeting and avoiding overspending. The price of CNC machined ABS isn’t fixed—it ranges from 20 RMB/piece for simple parts to 1,000 RMB/piece for complex, high-precision components—shaped by material costs, machining complexity, batch size, and more. This guide breaks down the core price drivers, provides practical references, shares cost-saving tips, and answers common questions to help you make informed decisions.
1. 6 Core Factors That Affect the Price of CNC Machined ABS
Every component of the price ties to tangible factors—from raw material costs to post-processing needs. Below is a detailed breakdown with real numbers to illustrate their impact:
(1) ABS Material Cost
Material cost forms the baseline of the total price. Standard ABS resin is affordable, but special grades (e.g., flame-retardant, food-safe) add to the cost:
| ABS Grade Type | Price Range (RMB/kg) | Key Characteristics | Typical Applications |
| Standard ABS | 10 ~ 20 | Good machinability, basic impact resistance | General prototypes, non-critical shells |
| Flame-Retardant ABS | 20 ~ 35 | Meets fire safety standards (e.g., UL94 V-0) | Electronic enclosures (e.g., router shells) |
| Food-Grade ABS | 25 ~ 40 | Non-toxic, compliant with FDA/GB 4806 | Food contact parts (e.g., small appliance interiors) |
| High-Toughness ABS | 30 ~ 50 | Enhanced durability for repeated use | Functional parts (e.g., toy hinges, tool handles) |
Example: A 100g simple part made with standard ABS costs 1–2 RMB in material (10–20 RMB/kg × 0.1kg). The same part made with food-grade ABS would cost 2.5–4 RMB in material—2.5x more.
(2) Machining Cost (Equipment + Labor)
Machining cost is the largest variable, combining equipment hourly rates and labor fees. It depends on the type of CNC machine and operator skill:
Equipment Hourly Rates
| CNC Machine Type | Hourly Rate (RMB/Hour) | Precision Level | Best For |
| Ordinary 3-Axis Machining Center | 60 ~ 150 | Medium | Simple parts (e.g., flat plates, basic holes) |
| High-Precision 3-Axis Machine | 150 ~ 300 | High | Parts with tight tolerances (±0.05mm) |
| 5-Axis Machining Center | 500 ~ 1,000 | Ultra-High | Complex curved parts (e.g., custom shells) |
Labor Costs
- Operator Salary: 50 ~ 100 RMB/hour (varies by region—coastal areas like Guangdong have lower rates due to competition).
- Programming Fee: 200 ~ 1,000 RMB for complex parts (e.g., multi-surface shells) that require custom G-code; simple parts often include programming in the hourly rate.
Example: A simple ABS part taking 1 hour on an ordinary 3-axis machine (80 RMB/hour) with a 60 RMB/hour operator costs 140 RMB in machining labor—far more than the material cost.
(3) Part Complexity
Complexity directly increases machining time and skill requirements, pushing prices higher. Below is how complexity impacts per-piece costs:
| Complexity Level | Key Traits | Machining Time (Per Piece) | Price Range (RMB/Piece) |
| Simple | Flat surfaces, no curves, 1–2 holes | 0.5 ~ 1 hour | 20 ~ 50 |
| Medium | Multiple holes, simple curves, thin walls (≥2mm) | 1 ~ 3 hours | 50 ~ 200 |
| High | Complex curved surfaces, thin walls (<2mm), porous structures | 3 ~ 8 hours | 200 ~ 1,000 |
Example: A simple 10cm×10cm ABS plate (10mm thick) takes 0.5 hours to machine and costs 20–50 RMB. A curved ABS shell with 5 holes and thin walls takes 4 hours and costs 200–500 RMB—5–10x more.
(4) Batch Size
Batch size unlocks volume discounts, as fixed costs (programming, setup, trial cuts) are spread across more parts. The larger the order, the lower the unit price:
| Batch Size | Discount vs. Single Piece | Example: Simple ABS Part (Original Price: 50 RMB/Piece) | Unit Price (RMB/Piece) |
| Single Piece/Small Batch (1–10) | 0% (No Discount) | 50 × 10 = 500 RMB (total) | 50 |
| Medium Batch (11–100) | 10 ~ 30% | 50 × 50 × 0.8 = 2,000 RMB (total) | 40 |
| Large Batch (>100) | 30 ~ 60% | 50 × 200 × 0.5 = 5,000 RMB (total) | 25 |
Key Tip: Even small batch increases (e.g., from 5 to 20 pieces) can cut unit costs by 10–20%. For example, 20 simple parts cost 40 RMB/piece instead of 50 RMB—saving 200 RMB total.
(5) Post-Processing Requirements
Basic CNC-machined ABS parts have a matte finish, but additional treatments add to the price. Common post-processing steps and their costs:
| Post-Processing Step | Cost (RMB/Piece) | Purpose |
| Polishing | 10 ~ 30 | Smooth surface (reduces roughness from Ra 1.6μm to Ra 0.8μm) |
| Painting/Oil Spraying | 20 ~ 50 | Add color or protective coating |
| Silk Screen Printing | 15 ~ 40 | Add logos or text (e.g., control panel labels) |
| Electroplating | 30 ~ 80 | Add metallic finish (e.g., chrome-like coating) |
Example: A basic ABS part costs 30 RMB. Adding polishing (20 RMB) and silk screen printing (25 RMB) raises the total to 75 RMB—2.5x more.
(6) Regional Differences
Prices vary by region due to labor and competition levels:
- Coastal Areas (Guangdong, Zhejiang): Lower prices (10–20% cheaper than inland) due to high competition and mature supply chains. For example, a medium-complexity part costs 50–180 RMB vs. 60–220 RMB inland.
- Central/Western Regions: Slightly higher prices, but may offer faster delivery for local clients.
2. Practical Price Reference Table for CNC Machined ABS
To quickly gauge reasonable prices, below is a table of common ABS part types, their prices, and key notes:
| Part Type | Price Range (RMB/Piece) | Key Factors | Typical Use Cases |
| Simple Flat Plate (e.g., 10cm×10cm×10mm) | 20 ~ 50 | Standard ABS, 3-axis machining, no post-processing | Prototyping bases, spacers |
| Medium-Complexity Shell (curved + 3–5 holes) | 50 ~ 200 | Standard/flame-retardant ABS, 3-axis machining, optional polishing | Electronic device shells, toy casings |
| High-Precision Curved Part (thin walls + tight tolerances) | 200 ~ 1,000 | High-toughness ABS, 5-axis machining, painting | Industrial components, high-end appliance parts |
| Large-Batch Simple Parts (>100 pieces) | 10 ~ 50 | Bulk ABS, optimized machining paths, no post-processing | Mass-produced spacers, basic brackets |
3. 4 Proven Tips to Reduce the Price of CNC Machined ABS
You don’t have to compromise on quality to lower costs. Try these strategies:
(1) Optimize Part Design
- Simplify geometry: Remove unnecessary curves or thin walls (e.g., use straight edges instead of complex arcs) to cut machining time by 20–40%.
- Reduce part count: Merge multiple small parts into one (e.g., a 2-piece bracket becomes 1 piece) to eliminate assembly and reduce clamping time.
(2) Choose the Right Batch Size
- Combine orders: If you need 30 parts over 3 months, order all 30 at once to qualify for a 10–30% discount instead of 10 parts monthly.
- Negotiate “future batch” discounts: Ask suppliers for a lower rate if you commit to reordering (e.g., 5% off if you buy 50+ parts within 6 months).
(3) Select Cost-Effective Post-Processing
- Skip unnecessary steps: For internal, non-visible parts, skip polishing or painting—save 10–50 RMB/piece.
- Use batch post-processing: Group parts for painting or silk screening to get volume discounts (e.g., 15 RMB/piece instead of 25 RMB for 50+ parts).
(4) Work with Coastal Suppliers
Suppliers in Guangdong (e.g., Dongguan, Shenzhen) or Zhejiang offer lower prices due to competition and efficient supply chains. For example, a medium-complexity part costs 50–180 RMB vs. 60–220 RMB from inland suppliers—saving 10–20%.
4. Key Precautions When Quoting CNC Machined ABS
To avoid unexpected costs, keep these in mind:
- Proofing Costs: Small batches (1–5 pieces) often have higher unit prices (20–50% more) due to setup and trial cuts. Confirm proofing fees upfront.
- Tolerance Requirements: Tighter tolerances (e.g., ±0.05mm vs. ±0.1mm) add 10–30% to the price—only specify tight tolerances if necessary.
- Delivery Time: Rush orders (e.g., 3-day turnaround vs. 7 days) may add a 20–50% premium. Plan ahead to avoid rush fees.
Yigu Technology’s Perspective on CNC Machined ABS Pricing
At Yigu Technology, we believe design optimization and batch strategy are the biggest cost-saving levers for CNC machined ABS. Many clients overspend by overcomplicating designs (e.g., adding unnecessary curves) or ordering small batches frequently. Our team helps simplify designs—for example, a curved shell with 8 holes becomes a simpler shape with 4 holes, cutting machining time by 30%. We also assist with batch planning: combining 3 clients’ 20-piece orders into a 60-piece batch to unlock a 25% discount. For special grades, we source cost-effective flame-retardant or food-grade ABS from trusted suppliers, saving 10–15% on material costs. Our goal is to deliver high-quality CNC machined ABS parts at the lowest possible price, balancing performance and budget.
FAQ
- Why does a 5-axis machined ABS part cost so much more than a 3-axis part?
5-axis machines offer ultra-high precision (±0.02mm) and can machine complex curved surfaces in one setup—eliminating the need for multiple clampings. However, they’re more expensive to purchase (10–20x cost of 3-axis machines) and maintain, leading to higher hourly rates (500–1,000 RMB/hour vs. 60–150 RMB/hour for 3-axis). This translates to 2–5x higher part prices.
- How much does flame-retardant ABS add to the total price compared to standard ABS?
Flame-retardant ABS costs 20–35 RMB/kg vs. 10–20 RMB/kg for standard ABS—2x more in material cost. For a 100g part, this adds 1–1.5 RMB to the material cost. If the part requires machining, the total price increases by 5–15% (e.g., 50 RMB standard part becomes 55–58 RMB).
- Can I get a discount if I provide my own ABS material?
Yes—most suppliers offer a 5–15% discount if you supply the ABS resin. For example, a 100 RMB part becomes 85–95 RMB. However, ensure your material is suitable for CNC machining (e.g., no impurities) to avoid machining defects that require rework (which could erase the discount).