Machining Cost Estimating Software for Machine Shops
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Machining Cost Estimating Software for Machine Shops — Costimator®
Costimator® is machining cost estimating and quoting software designed specifically for machine shops and contract manufacturers. It enables estimators to calculate accurate cycle times and part costs for a wide range of machining operations — and turn around quotes for complex machined parts in minutes rather than hours.
Costimator® works with or without a 3D CAD model, making it practical for every quoting scenario a machine shop encounters: from early-stage RFQ responses using 2D drawings to detailed feature-based estimates driven by solid models.
Machine shops using Costimator® report a 78% increase in estimating speed and an 89% improvement in costing accuracy — resulting in more competitive bids and fewer jobs lost to pricing errors.
Job Shop Estimating
Accurate Cycle Times
78%
increase in estimating speed
89%
improvement in costing accuracy
61%
reduction in time spent on estimates
69%
improvement in quoting accuracy
70+
improvement in costing accuracy
3x
increase in estimating speed
Win More Bids
Machining Operations Supported by Costimator®
Costimator® includes industry-validated cost models for all major machining operations. Estimators can calculate cycle times and costs for:
Minimal experience required to produce accurate estimates
Costimator® encodes manufacturing knowledge — speeds, feeds, machine capabilities, material allowances — directly into its cost models. This means a less experienced estimator can produce accurate, consistent quotes using the same validated methodology as a seasoned shop expert. It also makes onboarding new estimators significantly faster.
| Operation | Operation | Operation |
|---|---|---|
| Milling | Sawing | Honing |
| Drilling | Grinding | Lapping |
| Turning | Deburring | Shaping |
| EDM | Hobbing | Broaching |
Each cost model uses real-world parameters — material speeds and feeds, machine-specific capabilities, tool change times, setup times, and overhead rates — to produce accurate, repeatable estimates that reflect actual shop conditions.
Professional Estimating
Feature-based Machining Cost Estimating
Manufacturing times and costs are determined by multiple factors: part shape, complexity, precision requirements, surface finish, material properties, and the capabilities of the specific machines in your shop. Costimator® accounts for all of these variables through its feature-based estimating approach.
Rather than applying rough averages or relying on estimator intuition, Costimator® breaks each part down into its constituent machining features — pockets, holes, faces, slots, bores, turned diameters — and calculates the cycle time for each operation individually. The result is a detailed, defensible estimate that reflects how the part will actually be made on your shop floor.
- Milling— face milling, pocket milling, contour milling, slot milling, and surface finishing operations, with speeds and feeds calculated per material and cutter type.
- Drilling — hole drilling, reaming, boring, counterboring, countersinking, and tapping, with cycle times based on depth, diameter, and material.
- Turning — OD turning, ID turning, facing, grooving, threading, and parting, with cycle times calculated from part diameter, length, and material machinability.
Feature-based estimating is available for:
These manufacturers learned the secret of cost estimating!
99% Client Satisfaction
2,528 positive reviews last year
Machining FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions About Machining Cost Estimating with Costimator®
Get the answers to questions of how Costimator will help your company save time, money and win new bids.
What machining operations does Costimator® support?
Costimator® supports cost estimating for milling, turning, drilling, EDM, sawing, grinding, deburring, hobbing, honing, lapping, shaping, and broaching — covering the full range of operations found in a typical machine shop or contract manufacturing environment.
Can Costimator® estimate machined parts without a CAD model?
Yes. Costimator® can estimate the cost of machined parts with or without a 3D CAD model. Estimators can work from 2D drawings or part descriptions to generate accurate cycle times and cost estimates using the same validated cost models.
What is 3DFX and how does it work with Costimator®?
3DFX is an add-on application for Costimator® that uses Automatic Feature Recognition (AFR) to read 3D CAD files and automatically identify milling, drilling, and turning features. Those features are converted to Costimator® operation details with a single click, increasing detailed estimating speed by up to 90%. 3DFX supports over 30 CAD formats including SolidWorks, CATIA, Creo, Inventor, NX, STEP, and IGES.
What CAD formats does 3DFX support?
3DFX supports over 30 CAD file formats for both components and assemblies, including SolidWorks, Creo, CATIA, Autodesk Inventor, Siemens NX, Solid Edge, IGES, STEP, and Parasolid.
How fast can Costimator® produce a machining cost estimate?
Costimator® enables estimators to turn around cost estimates for complex machined parts in minutes rather than hours. With the 3DFX automatic feature recognition add-on, quote throughput can increase by up to 90%.
How does Costimator® calculate machining cycle times?
Costimator® calculates cycle times using industry-validated cost models that factor in part shape, complexity, precision, finish requirements, material speeds and feeds, and machine-specific capabilities — reflecting real-world conditions rather than industry averages.
Free Demo & Consultation
Ready to quote machined parts faster and more accurately?
Whether your shop runs multi-axis mills, CNC lathes, EDM machines, or a mix of equipment — Costimator® can be configured to reflect your specific machines, materials, and overhead rates. See how it performs on your own parts with a free demo.
Get a Free Demo Evaluate a Part Cost
📧 info@mtisystems.com 📞 413-733-1972
Location
1111 Elm Street, Suite 6, West Springfield, MA 01089 USA