Guides
Fabrication and pricing guides
Practical explanations with formulas, worked examples and their limits, linked to the tools that do the math.
How to calculate a machine's hourly cost
What one productive hour of a laser, press brake or CNC really costs: depreciation, financing, maintenance, energy, gas and utilization, with a worked example.
Read the guideMargin vs markup: how to price a quote without losing money
Why a 25% markup is not a 25% margin, how to price a job from its costs to reach the margin you want, and a margin-to-markup conversion table.
Read the guideHow to estimate sheet metal yield and scrap
Estimate how many parts fit on a sheet, the real material yield of an order and the scrap percentage to use when you quote laser or plasma cut parts.
Read the guideHow to calibrate the K-factor with a test bend
Measure your real K-factor with a simple test bend: what to measure, the formulas to calculate it, a worked example and how to use it for accurate flat lengths.
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