Bypassing Templates for Cost Estimates

Next, you select options to obtain a cost estimate that is independent of a selected template, except for the supplied materials information.

1. In the Costing Task Pane, click Costing Options (upper left corner).
2. In the dialog box, for Machining Options select the options:
   1. Under Volume Feature Calculation, select Cost per volume removed.
   2. Type the following values: for Roughing type 0.05, for Semi-finishing, type 0.01, and for Finishing, type 0.01

      In general, select values that are appropriate for the part costs, based on your experience.

   3. Under Finish processing (Mill/Turn Operations), select Override template settings for offset-based finishing and type .01 for Semi-finishing and for Finishing.

      The finishing and semifinishing values define a displacement distance for finishing and semifinishing operations.

   To apply these settings every time you use the Costing tool, select Save as Costing default settings.

3. Click OK twice.
4. In the CostingManager, expand the Mill Operations folder.
5. Right-click Volume 3 and click Add Operation > Finishing.

   The software updates the cost estimate.

6. To revert back to template calculations for Volume 3, right-click and click Volume 3 and click Processing > Tooling > Flat End Mill.

   The software updates the cost estimate, and evaluates the milling cost of Volume 3, based on the machining template.