---

name: Quoteestimator description: Rough cycle time and cost estimation for CNC machined parts. Uses MNMUK plant capabilities and standard estimating factors. USE WHEN user says 'quote', 'estimate', 'cycle time', 'how long', 'cost estimate', 'pricing', 'how much to make', or describes a part needing a rough quote.

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)

Rate Factors

CopyBase Rate × Material Factor × Tolerance Factor × Complexity Factor = Effective Rate

---

Material Factors

---

Tolerance Factors

---

Complexity Factors

---

Cycle Time Estimation

Turning Operations

OD Turning

CopyTime (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:

ID Boring

CopyMultiply OD time × 1.5 (slower, less rigid)
Deep bores (L/D > 4): × 2.0

Threading

CopySingle-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

CopyGrooving: 0.2 min per groove
Part-off: Diameter (mm) × 0.01 min

Milling Operations

Face Milling

CopyTime = (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

CopyVolume (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

CopyStandard 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

CopySurface 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

CopySmall 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

CopyCut 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

CopyVolume to remove (cm³) × 30-60 min/cm³
Roughing faster, finishing much slower
Electrode making: Add 1-4 hours depending on complexity

---

Setup Time Estimates

---

Quick Quote Formula

CopyTotal 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

---

Estimation Workflow

Step 1: Feasibility (Use PlantCapability)

• Can we make it?
• Which machine?
• Any showstoppers?

Step 2: Operation Breakdown

Copy| Op# | Description | Machine | Setup | Cycle |
|-----|-------------|---------|-------|-------|
| 10 | | | min | min |
| 20 | | | min | min |
| 30 | | | min | min |

Step 3: Apply Factors

CopyBase 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

CopySetup: [time] × £[rate] = £____
Run: [cycle] × [qty] × £[rate/60] = £____
Material: [weight] × £[per kg] × 1.3 = £____
Secondary: £____
Subtotal: £____
Margin (25-40%): £____
**Quote: £____**

---

Quote Output Template

Copy# 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

| Op | Description | Machine | Setup (min) | Cycle (min) |
|----|-------------|---------|-------------|-------------|
| 10 | | | | |
| 20 | | | | |
| 30 | | | | |
| **Total** | | | **X** | **Y** |

---

## Factors Applied

| Factor | Value | Reasoning |
|--------|-------|-----------|
| Material | × | |
| Tolerance | × | |
| Complexity | × | |
| **Combined** | **×** | |

**Adjusted cycle:** Y × [combined] = Z min/part

---

## Cost Calculation

| Item | Calculation | Cost |
|------|-------------|------|
| 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

Setup Time Rules of Thumb

Cost Sanity Checks

---

Example Estimates

Example 1: Turned Shaft

Part: Ø50 × 150mm shaft, 4140 steel, ±0.025mm on bearing diameters Qty: 100

CopyOperations:
- 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

CopyCycle 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