How much does it cost · CNC programming
Before machining, a programmer prepares the toolpaths in CAM software: Bang Design gives 1 to 8 hours depending on part complexity (June 2026). Altior publishes a rate of €70 to €110 an hour excluding VAT for CAD/CAM programming (June 2026), which puts one program at €70 to €880. The program is created once per part number, then used for every later batch (The Fabricator, 2013). RFQdecoder leaves this time out of the part price and shows it as a separate charge on the quote.
Programming a part in CAM means analysing the part, selecting tools, generating toolpaths and simulating the program. Bang Design puts this step at 1 to 8 hours depending on complexity (source: Bang Design, June 2026).
The number of axes weighs on that time. The machine shop UTEC states 1 to 4 hours of CAM time for a 3-axis program on a new, moderately complex part and 2 to 6 hours for a 4-axis indexed program; a complex simultaneous 5-axis program, such as a curved aerospace component, may take 1 to 3 days of CAM and simulation time (source: UTEC, April 2026).
Criterion Precision Machining writes that 5-axis programming time can double compared with 3-axis jobs, offset by fewer setups and less manual handling (source: Criterion Precision Machining, January 2026).
Altior publishes a range of €70 to €110 an hour excluding VAT for CAD/CAM programming and design office work. It covers computer and engineering preparation time before the machine is started (source: Altior, June 2026).
RFQdecoder does not count CAM programming time in the part price. The quote shows it as a separate charge: 1 to 8 hours of programming (source: Bang Design, June 2026), valued at €70 to €110 an hour excluding VAT (source: Altior, June 2026). The amount therefore runs from 1 h × €70 = €70 to 8 h × €110 = €880 per program, excluding VAT.
For the machining itself, RFQdecoder uses all-inclusive shop rates: €78/h for the 3-axis machining centre, €72/h for the lathe and €120/h for the 4/5-axis centre. These values sit inside the ranges published by Altior: €65 to €95 an hour for the 3-axis centre, €60 to €85 for CNC turning, €90 to €150 for the 4/5-axis centre, all excluding VAT (source: Altior, June 2026).
On a quote, programming can appear as non-recurring engineering (NRE). RivCut describes this as a flat, one-time fee covering the hours spent planning the strategy and writing the machine program before cutting starts (source: RivCut, March 2026). The Fabricator explains that programs, jigs and tools are used for every future batch, yet are grouped as non-recurring expenses in the customer quote (source: The Fabricator, July 2013).
These fixed costs are spread over the quantity. SolidCAM writes that setup and programming costs are spread across more parts in larger batches, while prototypes carry a larger fixed-cost burden per part (source: SolidCAM, September 2026). Tauzin Group notes that for a small batch or a one-off part, programming, machine setting and preparation account for a large share of the total price (source: Tauzin Group, May 2025). The rule published by JITbase: a task done once per batch is divided by the quantity (source: JITbase, September 2026).
The program can be reused. According to The Fabricator, when the shop has built the part before and holds a good CNC program, the customer does not need to pay for developing something that already exists (source: The Fabricator, July 2013). Focused on Machining writes that once setup and programming are perfected, subsequent runs are much less labour-intensive (source: Focused on Machining, December 2020).
Assumptions chosen for illustration, not taken from a source: a prismatic part machined on a 3-axis centre, 4 hours of programming, a programming rate of €90 an hour excluding VAT, 12 minutes of machining per part.
RFQdecoder value: 3-axis machining centre at €78/h.
5-axis variant, assumption also chosen for illustration: if programming time doubles to 8 hours, the program costs 8 h × €90 = €720.00 excluding VAT, that is €720.00 ÷ 10 = €72.00 per part over 10 parts and €720.00 ÷ 100 = €7.20 per part over 100 parts.
This calculation keeps only two items, machine time and programming: material, setup, inspection and margin are left out. The RFQdecoder quote shows programming separately; spreading it over the quantity is a way to compare with a supplier quote that builds it into the unit price.
CAM programming time is not part of the part price calculated by RFQdecoder. It appears on the quote as a separate charge of €70 to €880 per program, excluding VAT.
This range corresponds to program creation as Bang Design describes it: analysing the part, selecting tools, generating toolpaths and simulating (source: Bang Design, June 2026). Bang Design lists first-article setup at the machine as a separate step: loading the program, installing tools, setting work offsets and proving out the program (source: Bang Design, June 2026). Check on each quote where that time is counted.
It pays for creating the program. According to The Fabricator (July 2013), when the shop has built the part before and holds a good CNC program, the customer does not need to pay for developing something that already exists. Ask the supplier explicitly about repeat orders.
Bang Design gives 1 to 8 hours depending on complexity (June 2026) and Altior a rate of €70 to €110 an hour excluding VAT for CAD/CAM programming (June 2026), so €70 to €880 per program. For a complex simultaneous 5-axis program, the machine shop UTEC says it may take 1 to 3 days of CAM and simulation time (April 2026).
Fixed costs, programming included, are carried by a single part. Tauzin Group (May 2025) notes that for a small batch or a one-off part, programming, machine setting and preparation account for a large share of the total price. In the example on this page, a €360 program adds €360 to 1 part, €36 per part over 10 parts and €3.60 per part over 100 parts.
No. The part price does not include CAM programming time. The quote shows it as a separate charge: 1 to 8 hours (Bang Design, June 2026) at €70 to €110 an hour excluding VAT (Altior, June 2026), so €70 to €880 per program.
Upload your PDF, DXF or STEP drawing: routing, time and cost of each step, with every assumption shown.