CNC Machining Unit for Local Manufacturers

Local manufacturers, engineering firms, product designers, start-ups and maintenance departments.

Quote per part or per batch based on machine time, setup and materials. Regular repeat orders from a handful of customers keep machines busy.

• CNC programming and setup
• CAD/CAM software
• Quoting and costing jobs
• Quality checking and measuring

• Unit lease terms, business rates and planning use class, so check with the landlord and your council
• Public liability, employer's liability once you hire, and product liability insurance
• Larger customers may ask for quality standards such as ISO 9001, so check what your target customers expect
• Health and safety duties for machinery, coolant, noise and dust
• Cash flow: machines are costly and customers may pay on 30 to 60 day terms
• Dependence on one or two customers

Startup costs are typically around £25,000 to £120,000, depending on the machines you buy, the unit you rent and your tooling and software. Treat this as an estimate and get quotes first. Cash flow matters, as customers may pay on 30 to 60 day terms.

Monthly revenue is typically around £3,000 to £15,000, depending on your machines, the jobs you win and how busy the unit is. This is an estimate, and running the unit usually means around 35 hours a week or more. Avoid depending on only one or two customers.

Check your unit lease terms, business rates and planning use class with the landlord and your council. Also check insurance, such as public liability, employer's liability once you hire, and product liability, plus health and safety duties for machinery, coolant, noise and dust.