The costs calculated by the Costing tool are as accurate as the data in your templates. Although SOLIDWORKS provides prepopulated templates, it is best to create custom templates based on your manufacturing costs.
Recommendation: Work with your in-house manufacturing departments and external manufacturing vendors to create custom templates that reflect actual costs.
Machining Operation Costs
The best way to find machining operation costs is to consult your in-house manufacturing department.
Recommendation: If you work in a manufacturing department, consult your machine tool supplier for cut rate estimates. This information is often contained in the software provided with the machine tool or in related documentation.
If you have difficulty finding operation costs, there are many sources to find this information. Milling and drilling cost calculations are based on material removal rate (MRR). You can find information for the milling and drilling portions of the machining template in cutting tool catalogs or programs provided by tool suppliers such as ISCAR, Stellram, and Sandvik Coromant. If you need waterjet cut rates, you can search online using keywords such as "online waterjet calculator."
Online information is only good for rough estimates because you do not know the exact machine to be used, how powerful the machine is, or what type of tooling is provided with the machine. These factors vary among manufacturing vendors. Therefore, the cost estimates resulting from this information are not as accurate as a quote you receive from a manufacturer. However, the information lets you compare the relative costs of designs to help you make design decisions.
Material Costs
The best way to find material costs is to consult your in-house manufacturing or purchasing departments for current materials, thicknesses, and pricing information.
If you have difficulty finding material costs, metal suppliers can provide this information. For example, you can search online using keywords such as "online metal."
Online information is only good for rough estimates because you do not know the exact material pricing until you purchase it. These prices vary among material suppliers. Therefore, the cost estimates resulting from this information are not as accurate as a quote you receive from a manufacturer or a material supplier. However, the information lets you compare the relative costs of designs to help you make design decisions.
Setup, Library Features, and Custom Operations Costs
The best way to find setup, library features, and custom operation costs is to consult your in-house manufacturing department.
If you have difficulty finding these costs, there are alternatives to find this information. For example, if you need the cost of a custom operation such as painting a part, you can use previous quotes or actual parts that you had painted to help determine the cost per part or the cost per surface area. You can also search online for average costs of these services.
Online information is only good for rough estimates. These costs vary among vendors. Therefore, the cost estimates resulting from this information are not as accurate as a quote you receive from a vendor. However, the information lets you compare the relative costs of designs to help you make design decisions.