CadVex blog

Guides for CNC estimating and DFM

Practical notes for estimators and shop owners: what drives the price of a machined part, how to review an RFQ, and the DFM issues worth raising before you quote.

• Quoting from a STEP file: a pre-quote checklist for CNC estimators

  What to check before you price a CNC part from a STEP file: revisions, units, bodies, drawing notes, material, setups, tolerances and assumptions.

  3 October 2026 · 6 min read

• 7 DFM checks that change the price of a CNC machined part

  Sharp corners, deep pockets, thin walls, tapped holes, extra setups: the DFM issues that change a CNC quote, and what to ask the customer.

  18 September 2026 · 6 min read

• What goes into a CNC machining quote? 7 cost drivers to check

  Material, setups, cycle time, finishing, tolerances, quantity and margin. What drives the price of a machined part and what to check before you quote.

  3 September 2026 · 6 min read