Milling, turning and multi-axis
Prismatic parts go to mills; round parts go to lathes; complex parts that would otherwise need multiple setups go to multi-axis or mill-turn machines. Fewer setups usually means better feature-to-feature accuracy and lower labor cost, so machine capability affects both price and quality.
Design choices that drive price
Deep pockets with small corner radii, thin walls, tight tolerances applied everywhere instead of where they matter, and unnecessary surface finish callouts are the four most common cost drivers. Machinists will usually tell you which of your tolerances is expensive if you ask before releasing the print.
- Call out tight tolerances only on functional features
- Use the largest corner radius the design allows
- Confirm material availability before locking the spec
- Ask about standard versus certified material documentation