Practical guide
How to quote laser and CNC cutting, step by step
A solid laser cutting quote answers three questions: how much it costs, how long it takes, and if material is available. This guide shows how to get those numbers, by hand or automatically from the DXF.
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The 6 steps to quote cutting
- 1. Check the drawingWrong scale and duplicate lines are the #1 cause of bad quotes: a doubled line doubles the cut time.
- 2. Measure total cut lengthIt’s the biggest driver of time. Two parts with the same area can have very different cut lengths.
- 3. Count the piercesOn thick plate, piercing can take seconds. On parts with many holes, that adds up to minutes.
- 4. Calculate cutting timeUse your machine’s real speed for that material and thickness, not the brochure value.
- 5. Calculate material with nestingCharging by part area ignores spacing and scrap. Nesting shows the sheet’s real consumption.
- 6. Set price and lead timeAdd extra services, apply margin and minimum, and only promise a date after checking the machine queue.
Cut time example
| Data | Value |
|---|---|
| Cut length | 1,200 mm per part |
| Speed (example) | 3,000 mm/min |
| Pierces | 6 × 0.5 s = 3 s |
| Time per part | 0.40 min + 0.05 min = 0.45 min |
| 10 parts | 4.5 min of machine time |
With a machine hour rate of $180, that’s $13.50 in machine time for the order, before material and margin.
Doing all this automatically
In MakerCutt Factory, steps 2 to 5 are done from the DXF: cut length, pierces, time using your registered speeds, and material via true-shape nesting. You review, add services, and send the PDF; if approved, it becomes a work order with a due date based on the queue.
Upload the DXF. Get price, lead time, and material.
Price, lead time, and material under control — in one go.
FAQ
What’s the difference between quote, estimate, and pricing?
In a job shop they’re effectively the same task: calculating what to charge for an order. Pricing usually refers to the rule (machine hour rate, margin, minimum); a quote or estimate is the proposal sent to the customer.
How do I know the right cutting speed?
Use the speed you actually run on your machine for each material and thickness and compare the estimated time with the real time from a few jobs. Tweak your settings until they match.
How long does it take to quote a part?
By hand, anywhere from minutes to hours depending on the drawing. From DXF in MakerCutt Factory, seconds after you upload the file.
Do I need a credit card to try it?
No. The trial is 7 days with full access and no card. You upload your own DXF files, set up your materials, and see the calculated price before deciding.
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