Multibody Task Pane

Set the input values for determining the cost of manufacturing a multibody part or weldment from the Costing Task Pane.

Costing Templates

Main template Sets an existing template. The main template references two other templates, one for sheet metal bodies, and one for machined bodies.

The main template defines operations at the part level.

Launch Template Editor Opens the Costing Template Editor for creating or editing Costing templates.

Body List

Body list select_edges.png Lists the bodies in the multibody part. The type of body determines the Costing template that is referenced in the cost estimation. Costing automatically recognizes sheet metal bodies. You must assign the type of body for the other types of bodies in the part.
Type of body Determines the Costing template that is referenced in the cost estimation for each body type. Sheet metal bodies are automatically recognized. You must assign the type of body for the other types of bodies in the part. Select one of the following for the selected body:

General

General is any body that is not sheet metal or a structural member.

Sheet Metal

Specifies a sheet metal body. Sheet metal parts are recognized automatically.

Structural Member

Specifies a structural member. Structural members are recognized automatically.

Custom/Removed Material

Specifies a custom cost for the selected body. Type the custom cost in Custom Cost under Operation Options. The Costing tool does not compute the cost of custom bodies.

Exclude Excludes the selected bodies from cost calculations.
Include Includes the selected bodies for cost calculations.
Begin Cost Estimation

After you assign the Type of body to each body in the part and specify methods and materials, the green message area indicates you can start the cost estimation.

Method

Choose a manufacturing method for the selected part in the Body list.

Select a manufacturing method:

  • Machining
  • Casting
  • Plastic
  • 3D Printing
  • Structural Member

Material

Material Sets the class of material based on the material that was set for the part. This is automatically selected if the part has a material already applied.
Specific Material Sets the material based on the material of the part. This is automatically selected if the part has a material already applied.

Quantity

Total number of parts Quantity of parts to be manufactured.
Lot size Quantity of parts to be manufactured per run.

Markup/Discount

Cost adjustment Adjusts the material cost or the total cost using a percentage factor. A negative value creates a discount, and a positive value creates a markup. For example, you can increase the cost by 15% of the material cost which gets added to the total cost. The 15% will reduce the cost with a negative percentage. Select one of the following:

% of Total Cost

Increases the cost of manufacturing based on a percentage of the total cost.

% of Material Cost

Increases the cost of manufacturing based on a percentage of the material cost.

Use this option if you get a discount on material or the total cost of a manufactured part. If you are a manufacturer, use this option to set your profit margin over your actual costs.

Estimated Cost Per Part

  Cost Displays the total estimated cost of manufacturing the part. The cost is constantly updated based on any changes you make.
  Comparison Displays a bar chart for the Current and Previous costs or the Current and Baseline costs. If changes to the part decrease the cost, the Current bar is green and the % difference green_down_arrow.gif is negative. If changes to the part increase the cost, the Current bar is red and the % difference red_up_arrow.gif is positive.

Click Set Baseline PM_unlock.gif to set a baseline cost for comparison. If you change the design later on, the cost is compared to the baseline cost. When you set a baseline cost, any changes to the part are considered Current and the difference is displayed. While the baseline price is set, the part is rotated, flattened, and refolded because the software is capturing images for the Costing report.

  Breakdown Displays the cost and percentage distributions for the major contributors of the total cost:

Material

Cost of the material based on the weight of the material used.

Manufacturing

Total processing cost, including cuts, bends, forming tools, and additional operations.

Markup or Discount

Adjustment specified in Markup/Discount.

Costing-Create Report Generate Report Opens the Report Options dialog box where you can customize a report and export it as a Word document or as an Excel spreadsheet.