Lasers, Optics & Photonics Manufacturing worked example

Laser Process Cost at 59% material utilization share: a worked example

Here is what the math looks like when conditions slip. We hold every other input steady and drop material utilization share to 59%, then walk the calculation through step by step. Calculate the total cost of a laser processing job (cutting, welding, drilling, or engraving) by combining the number of parts, per-part laser time cost, material utilization share, and fixed setup charges.

The inputs for this scenario

  • Number of parts in batch: 200 parts (held at the documented default)
  • Laser processing cost per part: 12 $ / part (held at the documented default)
  • Material utilization share: 59 % (the input this scenario stresses; the baseline uses 82)
  • Fixed setup and programming cost: 350 $ (held at the documented default)

Working through the calculation

  • The calculation starts from the formula this tool documents: Variable laser cost = number of parts in batch x laser processing cost per part x material utilization share.
  • Total laser process cost works out to 1,766 $ at these inputs, and this is the headline figure for the scenario.
  • Laser cost per part works out to 8.83 $ / piece at these inputs.
  • Variable laser cost works out to 1,416 $ at these inputs.
  • Fixed setup and programming cost works out to 350 $ at these inputs.

How this compares with the baseline

  • Against the tool's baseline example, where material utilization share sits at 82% and the headline result is 2,318 $, this scenario comes in 23.81% below the baseline at 1,766 $.
  • The practical read: the gap between this scenario and the baseline is entirely attributable to material utilization share, so recovering it is worth quantifying in dollars before considering equipment or staffing changes. It treats the material utilization share as a simple multiplier on per-part cost and does not separately model scrap value, machine depreciation, or assist-gas price swings.

Results at a glance

  • Total laser process cost: 1,766 $ (headline result)
  • Laser cost per part: 8.83 $ / piece
  • Variable laser cost: 1,416 $
  • Fixed setup and programming cost: 350 $

Run it with your numbers

  • To rerun this with your own numbers, open the live Laser Process Cost calculator, set material utilization share to your actual value, and adjust the remaining inputs to match your operation.

Last reviewed 2026-05-12.