QuotedPartCost guides · Updated 2026-10-30
How do anodize, plating, and heat-treat lot charges change part price?
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Outside processing is often priced with a lot minimum, a per-part charge, a fee, and extra working days. This engine table attaches clear anodize, zinc plate, electroless nickel, and quench-and-temper inputs to the same 6061 bracket at quantities 1, 10, and 100. Each row keeps the vendor rule visible instead of hiding it in markup.
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Lot charges are not a percentage
A $125 anodize lot charge and a $150 plating invoice minimum behave very differently at one and 100 pieces. The pricing model applies the finish's lot, piece, fee, and minimum-invoice rules at each quantity. That is why the per-part finish price falls sharply as a lot grows.
Heat treat adds a different question: the vendor may charge by lot and by weight, and the process can add days that are longer than machining. Put those facts in the estimate before comparing suppliers.
- Ask for the finisher's current minimum.
- Record whether the charge is per lot or per piece.
- Add vendor lead days to the promised schedule.
Read every line before adding markup
The machine quote already includes the catalog's markup. Outside-process charges are then included as explicit cost lines before the same quote calculation. This avoids applying a second unexplained percentage to a vendor invoice.
A shop may choose a different policy, such as a handling fee or risk reserve. If so, put it in a named operation or markup rule and show the buyer the basis.
- Keep vendor invoice and shop handling separate.
- Do not double-markup an outside charge by accident.
- Attach the dated vendor quote to the job.
When a minimum changes the route
A small anodize lot may justify batching with another job, delaying shipment, or offering a different finish. A plating minimum can make a lower per-piece vendor more expensive for ten parts. The right answer is a lot-level comparison, not a copied per-part price.
The table is an example from the US catalog. Outside vendors change prices and rules, so confirm them at quote time and rerun the numbers.
- Offer a lot-size option when demand is flexible.
- State finish acceptance and masking.
- Show the customer the minimum's effect.
Use the result as an estimator's starting point
For this outside processing cost: anodize, plating, and heat treat lots example, an estimator can challenge every cnc milling plus outside processing input. Replace this fictional geometry with the customer's STEP file or drawing, then replace the catalog stock price, work-center rate, setup minutes, and markup with the shop's current 3-axis vmc and outside vendors values.
Keep the lot setup visible when you send this quote for outside processing cost: anodize, plating, and heat treat lots. Confirm stock form, material condition, tolerances, inspection, deburr, and outside-process timing before promising a ship date. If one of those inputs changes, rerun the calculation and show the buyer what moved.
- Show both unit and lot totals.
- Label illustrative values clearly.
- Have the estimator review access, tooling, and first-piece risk.
Outside-process inputs applied to one CNC reference part
- • Material: Aluminum 6061-T6; the US catalog input is $9.50/lb and machinability 1.00 relative to 6061-T6.
- • Process: CNC milling plus outside processing; the pricing model includes CAM programming, 12 toolpaths, Mill, 3 setups, Deburr, Inspect and calculates the quantities shown.
- • Geometry: 4 × 3 × 1 in; Fictional 4 × 3 × 1 in prismatic reference part. Two mill setups are inferred from the top and side features.
- • Markup: 30% catalog default. Taxes, freight, customer-specific rates, and unlisted outside services are excluded.
- • Every dollar and minute in the table is a reproducible example from the stated inputs, not a market average or supplier promise.
| Outside process | Quantity | Vendor lot input | Vendor piece input | Quoted / part | Lot quote | Lead days |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Anodize Type II, clear | 1 | $125.00 | $3.50 | $627.03 | $627.03 | 16 |
| Anodize Type II, clear | 10 | $125.00 | $3.50 | $100.02 | $1000.20 | 16 |
| Anodize Type II, clear | 100 | $125.00 | $3.50 | $45.46 | $4546.00 | 19 |
| Zinc plate, clear | 1 | $50.00 | $1.75 | $663.43 | $663.43 | 16 |
| Zinc plate, clear | 10 | $50.00 | $1.75 | $103.66 | $1036.60 | 16 |
| Zinc plate, clear | 100 | $50.00 | $1.75 | $43.16 | $4316.00 | 19 |
| Electroless nickel | 1 | $175.00 | $6.00 | $703.40 | $703.40 | 18 |
| Electroless nickel | 10 | $175.00 | $6.00 | $107.67 | $1076.70 | 18 |
| Electroless nickel | 100 | $175.00 | $6.00 | $48.88 | $4888.00 | 21 |
| Heat treat, quench and temper | 1 | $200.00 | $4.00 | $724.53 | $724.53 | 17 |
| Heat treat, quench and temper | 10 | $200.00 | $4.00 | $109.77 | $1097.70 | 17 |
| Heat treat, quench and temper | 100 | $200.00 | $4.00 | $46.07 | $4607.00 | 20 |
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 stock price input is taken from the US catalog, which records an Online Metals check on 2026-10-21. — source (checked 2026-10-21)
- The finish rows are dated catalog examples of vendor-rule inputs; confirm the current finisher invoice before quoting.
Questions
Is this a guaranteed 6061-t6 aluminum quote?
No. It is a transparent estimating example. Replace the example inputs with the customer's drawing, stock quote, current shop rates, and inspection or finish requirements.
Why does quantity change the unit price?
Setup and programming are lot costs. The pricing calculation spreads those costs across the stated quantity and keeps the per-part run time and material inputs visible.
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