QuotedPartCost guides · Updated 2026-10-30
Should I quote 4140 pre-hard or annealed stock?
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For the turned pin, annealed stock is cheaper by $36.54 at one, $7.45 at 10, and $2.88 at 100 pieces ($277.03 versus $313.57 at one). Pre-hard 4140 can still win overall when avoiding a separate hardening step matters; the table uses the stated annealed-grade proxy so the cutting and stock assumptions stay visible.
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The 4140 steel example part
The part is a two-inch turned pin with a drilled end and one groove. The geometry is intentionally simple so the material decision is visible. A real 4140 print should identify hardness or condition; “4140” by itself is not enough for a purchase order.
How the quantity break works
Pre-hard material can save outside heat-treat time and distortion risk, but it may reduce tool life or increase cycle time. Annealed material can be easier to rough, then adds heat-treatment cost, lead time and potentially a grind allowance. Decide which path fits the tolerance and delivery date before comparing unit prices.
| Qty | Setup min (lot) | Cycle min (part) | Cost / part | Quoted / part | Lot price | Lead days |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 123.3 | 4.1 | $213.10 | $277.03 | $277.03 | 9 |
| 10 | 123.3 | 4.1 | $28.90 | $37.57 | $375.70 | 9 |
| 100 | 123.3 | 4.1 | $10.52 | $13.68 | $1368.00 | 10 |
What the material or process changes
The table keeps the lot setup constant so you can isolate the material and cutting effect. At one piece, setup remains the dominant charge in both cases. At 100 pieces, cycle and any treatment line carry more weight, which is where the choice becomes commercially meaningful.
How to turn this into a firm quote
Ask the supplier for mill test reports, hardness range and stock condition. If the buyer changes the condition after the quote, rerun the material and process rather than editing only the selling price.
Questions to settle before release
If the buyer asks for annealed 4140, confirm the target hardness after heat treat and the amount of grind stock. The lower cutting time can be offset by furnace minimums, distortion and a second finish operation. Ask who owns the heat-treat certificate and how straightness will be checked. Showing those lines separately lets the buyer choose the route that meets the specification and delivery date.
For this 4140 prehard vs annealed estimate, the estimate is strongest when the handoff includes the drawing revision, stock quote date and acceptance plan. Save those details with the quantity break. If the buyer changes one requirement, rerun the affected operation and leave the other lines intact. This keeps a revision discussion factual and prevents an old material or finish assumption from surviving in a new price.
Pricing engine output for the stated Steel 4140 pre-hard CNC turning example part
- • Material: Steel 4140 pre-hard; the US catalog stores its small-lot price and machinability factor.
- • Process: CNC turning; setup, machine time, deburring and inspection are generated from the example-part geometry.
- • Markup: 30% default US catalog markup; quantities are 1, 10, 100.
- • Fictional 2 in turned part from 1.5 in bar; one drilled end hole and one groove.
- • No outside finish, tax, freight, or customer-specific rate is included.
- • These are computed examples, not supplier quotes or market averages.
| Qty | Setup min (lot) | Cycle min (part) | Cost / part | Quoted / part | Lot price | Lead days |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 123.3 | 4.4 | $241.21 | $313.57 | $313.57 | 9 |
| 10 | 123.3 | 4.4 | $34.63 | $45.02 | $450.20 | 9 |
| 100 | 123.3 | 4.4 | $12.74 | $16.56 | $1656.00 | 10 |
Sources and limits
Claims are dated where they can change. Product calculations are examples from the stated inputs, not a promise about a customer's quote. Competitor wording is attributed to the source shown.
- The figures are computed from the stated example part and US catalog assumptions.
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