There are several types of CNC (Computer Numerical Control) machines used in manufacturing. In today&#;s market anyone can purchase a CNC machine to manufacture custom laser cut parts, but the price needs to be right. Many SendCutSend customers have a small CNC router in their garage, but turn to the big guys (us) for more complex cutting or larger projects. 

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In this article we&#;ll discuss the cost of CNC machines and what impact that will have on your project.

CNC Machine Prices: 7 Factors to Consider

The cost of a CNC machine can vary widely depending on the type of machine and what you need it for. Here are some of the main factors that affect CNC machine costs, along with an explanation of each:

Machine size

A 3kW laser cutter will cost significantly less than a 12kW because of the difference in size and power. Same goes for a small desktop CNC mill vs. a mill with a 5&#;x5&#;x5&#; work envelope. Larger machines tend to be more expensive because they require more material, components, and are more complex to manufacture. The types of parts you are making dictate the size of the &#;&#;machine you need, so be prepared to pay more for a larger machine if you need large parts.

Machine complexity

The complexity of the machine&#;s design and construction also plays a role in its cost. Machines with more advanced features and capabilities, such as multiple axes of motion or built-in automation, tend to be more expensive. Yes, that 20-position automatic tool changer is awesome&#;but it&#;s going to add to your CNC machine cost.

Machine accuracy

CNC machines that offer higher levels of accuracy and precision are typically more expensive. Machines with tight tolerances and advanced calibration systems are more challenging to design and build, which can drive up their cost. Inexpensive hobby CNC machines might be accurate to +/- 0.010&#; or better, which is usually good enough for a garage workshop. Expect to pay more for a machine that can achieve +/- 0.&#; or better. A lot more. Each thousandth of an inch can mean the difference of $10,000 to $100,000.

Machine speed

Machines that can operate at high speeds tend to be more expensive than those with lower speed capabilities. High-speed machines require more powerful motors, specialized components, and more robust control systems (such as Fanuc or Mitsubishi controllers). Although high-speed machines might be more expensive, they can also be more productive, often offsetting the increased costs with increased production. Sometimes trying to save money by buying a slower machine can cost you more in the long run.

Material compatibility

CNC machines that can work with a wide range of materials, such as metal, plastic, and wood, are generally more expensive than those that are limited to specific materials.

Brand and reputation

The brand and reputation of the CNC machine manufacturer can also affect its cost. Machines from well-known and respected manufacturers tend to be more expensive than those from lesser-known brands.

Additional features

Optional features such as automatic tool changers, coolant systems, and software packages can add to the cost of a CNC machine.

In terms of specific costs, CNC machines can range from a few thousand dollars for a small hobby machine to several hundred thousand dollars for a large industrial machine. It&#;s essential to consider all of the factors listed above when deciding on the right CNC machine for your needs and budget.

There are several different types of CNC machine tools including laser cutters, waterjet cutters, CNC routers and more. The machining process for each tool varies and impacts what the machine is used for and how much it costs. 

CNC Laser Cutters

These machines use a high-powered laser to cut through a variety of materials, including metal, copper, wood, acrylic and more. At SendCutSend our CNC laser cutters range from 4kW to 12kW.

CNC Waterjet Cutters

Waterjets use a high-pressure stream of water mixed with abrasive particles to cut through difficult materials such as Carbon Fiber, G10, Linen Phenolic and more.

CNC Routers

These machines use a rotating cutting tool to carve out shapes and designs from a wide variety of composites, acrylics, and wood. CNC routers can achieve sharp edges and tight tolerances that are typically impacted by the heat of a laser.

CNC Milling Machines

These machines use rotary cutting tools to remove material from a workpiece. They can perform a range of operations, including drilling, tapping, and cutting, and are ideal for producing complex shapes and parts.

CNC Plasma Cutters

These machines use a high-velocity jet of ionized gas (plasma) to cut through metal. They are commonly used in the metal fabrication and automotive industries.

CNC Machine Costs by Category 

CNC Machine CategoryCostEntry level desktop CNC routers$150-$500Hobby level CNC router$1,000- $3,000Hobby level CO2 laser$1,000-$3,000Hobby/Small Business plasma table$1,000-$5,000Professional CNC Machine$50,000-$100,000Entry-Level 3-axis Mill $50,000-$100,000Industrial HD plasma tables$40,000-$120,000Industrial Fiber Laser$100,000 &#; over $500,000Production 3-axis CNC Milling Machines$100,000-$500,000Production 5-axis CNC Milling MachinesOver $500,000

For each of these machines there are several factors that come into play when determining the price. These factors include: size, power, cutting speed, precision, materials, brand and reputation, software, working area size, automation features, and additional features. 

Other Costs Related to CNC Machines 

In addition to the above factors, there are additional tools, accessories, and licenses that might be necessary for CNC processes that could present additional costs. Depending on the machine, the tools may include lubricants and coolants, twist drills, a milling vise, inspection and measuring tools. 

You also need to factor in the cost of staffing a machine with operators, material and storage costs and maintenance needs. All of these additional costs could run several hundred to thousands of dollars depending on the size of your operation.

5 Things You Should Consider Before Buying a CNC Machine

Before purchasing a CNC machine, consider the following to help make an informed decision.

Your specific needs

Consider the type of work you&#;ll be doing with the CNC machine and the materials you&#;ll be using. This will help you determine the size, power, and type of machine that will best suit your needs.

How much space you have

Consider the amount of space you have available for the machine, including the machine&#;s footprint and the space needed for any necessary accessories and material storage.

Your budget

Of course budget is a factor, that&#;s why you&#;re reading this article. As we&#;ve discussed, taking into consideration the initial investment plus installation, necessary accessories, operation, and maintenance costs can help determine the total cost of ownership of a CNC machine.

Technical requirements

Technical requirements including power supply, ventilation, and necessary infrastructure modifications need to be kept in mind before purchasing a CNC machine.

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Software and compatibility

Determine the software requirements of the machine and ensure that it&#;s compatible with your existing software and hardware. Also, consider the ease of use of the machine&#;s software and any necessary training. 

Should you outsource?

If you&#;re an individual or small business or shop you may determine that outsourcing your CNC machining needs to a manufacturer, like SendCutSend, makes more financial sense than purchasing a machine in house. Outsourcing is a great solution to avoiding the costly investment and maintenance of a personal machine.

Buying Used CNC Machines and Equipment

Another option for saving money on a CNC machine is to buy used. There is really only a market for used machines that cost $10k or more, but buying used could save you big money. We&#;re talking anywhere from several thousand to several hundred thousand dollars depending on the type of machine you&#;re looking to purchase. 

Websites like MachineTools are a great place to buy and sell machinery and can help give you an idea of how much you can save when buying used.

If you decide to buy used, you want to make sure to do your due diligence on inspection. Check things like how noisy it is at speed, the machine time on the CNC, stored alarms, alarm history, maintenance logs, leaks, etc.

Reduce Your CNC Machining Costs With SendCutSend Services  

For many creators and small businesses a personal CNC machine makes financial sense. Even for larger businesses the investment can be worthwhile. However, for many, outsourcing your project to a manufacturer like SendCutSend is more cost effective and efficient. 

We house a number of CO2 lasers ranging from 4kW-12kW, industrial waterjet cutters, and industrial CNC routers. These machines work quickly and accurately, saving you time and money. We also keep things affordable with low minimum pricing and free shipping on all standard orders. In addition, we offer in-house services such as bending, powder coating, anodizing, plating, and hardware so you can have your part made exactly how you need all in one place. Visit our website to learn more about our services and get an instant pricing.

8 things you should always buy used to save money

From clipping coupons to searching out sales, who doesn&#;t like saving money when it comes to shopping? One option that can sometimes get overlooked is buying used. The big box stores aren&#;t your only option when it comes to shopping. Beyond just the sticker price, you&#;re also saving more than just dollars. When you buy used, you&#;re reducing your consumption of new goods and reusing already manufactured items. It&#;s a win for you and a win for the environment. From baby clothes to bikes to band equipment, here are 8 things you should always buy used to save money.

1. Clothing

Did you know the average American spends $1,866 per year on clothing and apparel? Did you also know that 80% of those items purchased end up in the trash? 80%! Not only is that a waste of money, but think of the waste that produces for our planet. Buying a new outfit doesn&#;t have to mean buying new. Buying used is a great way to score new-to-you designer clothes, shoes, and accessories, all while saving you money. There&#;s no need to pay full price or overpay for today&#;s latest trends when you can find them far cheaper at your local thrift shop, consignment store, and other local retailers. This option benefits your checkbook, local businesses, and the environment.

2. Baby clothes

There&#;s a reason for the saying, &#;They grow up so fast!&#; when referring to babies. It&#;s because they literally grow so fast. It&#;s hard to keep up, especially when it comes to clothing. According to Investopedia, in the first year parents spend at least $720 on baby clothes. Plus there&#;s the cost of diapers, food, maybe childcare. It can add up quickly. We know you want the best for your baby, but you can find quality, brand-name clothing for a fraction of the cost when you shop secondhand.

3. Books

Ah, that new book smell. Cracking it open for the first time, we get it. It&#;s an experience. But to get that new book experience, the U.S. has to cut down 20 million trees per year. Then there&#;s the hit your pocketbook takes when the average cost of a new book is $17. And for what? Except for those rare books that you&#;ll read over and over again, most books you will likely only read one time. So why pay full price on something you&#;ll use once when buying used is such a great alternative? If the savings weren&#;t enough of an incentive, think about what it takes to create those new books. Until we stop demanding new books, you (and the trees) will continue to pay the full price. That&#;s why books are a must when it comes to buying used to save money. Check out your local used bookstore to find your next great read at a much lower price.

Related reading: Tips for donating, buying or selling used books

Thrifting tip: For a free option, check out your local library for books.

4. Sporting equipment

Team sports are a great way for kids and adults to have fun, get exercise, build character, learn teamwork, and receive a whole host of other benefits. However, buying new sporting equipment isn&#;t always as kind on your wallet. If you have a child who&#;s old enough to play sports or you&#;re looking to try a new sport, how much can you expect to spend on gear? Well, according to Ohio University, it varies by sport, but on average an athlete will spend upwards of $600 on equipment with the potential for hundreds more depending on how serious they are about their sport and how fast they grow.

It can be tempting to go out and buy the latest equipment, with daydreams of your child being the next Michael Jordan, Serena Williams, or Wayne Gretzky. But before you do, we recommend checking out the used options first. Especially if you or your child is just starting out in the sport, it might not be something you or they stick with. Hard to believe, but kids, just like adults, sometimes change their minds. So before you drop part of their college fund on new hockey gear, check out your used options: the local secondhand shops, your friends whose kids play/played the same sports, and online swap and shop sites.

5. Musical instruments

Whether it&#;s for your child who needs a musical instrument for the school band or private lessons, or you have decided to take up a hobby and learn how to play the clarinet, you don&#;t have to buy new to get high-quality musical instruments. Buying new can often be a tough pill to swallow, especially if your kid only takes on the instrument for a year or two. Remember, like with sports, kids have a tendency to change their minds. Buying used instruments to save money is a great option. Many of your local secondhand shops also have rental options. Make sure your kids or you are truly committed before entertaining the option of buying brand new. 

6. Toys and Games

Step into any house with young children and no doubt you&#;ll find toys and games. In fact, some people have entire rooms dedicated to just toys. The average amount spent on toys per child is around $306 per year. The U.S. toy market had an estimated size of more than $27 billion dollars. That&#;s a lot of toys. Oftentimes kids have more toys than they can feasibly even play with, so these toys go unused or, worse, end up in the trash. If you can help it, and if you&#;re interested in saving money, we recommend buying toys used.

7. Bikes

New bikes are like cars: The minute you roll them out the door they depreciate in value. And like cars, buying new can be expensive. In fact, the average new road bike costs between $350-$700. The difference between bikes and cars, however, is that when you buy a car, you usually drive it. Unfortunately, many people buy bikes with high hopes of using them for exercise and fun, only for them to sit in the garage, often unused. Ask yourself if you will use it enough to get your money&#;s worth buying new. If not, save your money and buy used. 

8. Tools

If you&#;re looking for an inexpensive option to get your home workshop set up, we recommend buying used. It can save you hundreds of dollars on tools that have years of life left in them. You can often purchase hand tools and other non-power tools without ever actually touching or testing them. Some hand tools even come with transferable lifetime warranties. Steel hand tools are also easy to clean and restore. For power tools, to ensure functionality and safety, we recommend you try before you buy.

Remember, when it comes to buying used to save money, it doesn&#;t have to be all or nothing. Especially if you&#;re new to buying used, ease into it. We understand some items you&#;ll have to or want to buy new, but that doesn&#;t mean those purchases can&#;t be balanced with buying used for other items. The goal is to save you money and help save the environment. When you buy used you can combine those two goals and everybody wins.

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