Welding & Fabrication worked example

Plasma Cutting Cost with parts cut on the job of 400 parts: a worked example

What does the result look like when parts cut on the job reaches 400 parts? The full calculation is worked below with real intermediate numbers. Use it when quoting CNC plasma cutting jobs and you need to load consumables (electrodes, nozzles), gas, electricity, and labor into the per-part cost.

The inputs for this scenario

  • Parts cut on the job: 400 parts (raised for this scenario; the documented default is 160)
  • Per-part plasma consumables and power: 0.85 $ / part (unchanged)
  • Plasma gas and torch setup cost: 120 $ (unchanged)
  • Operator labor with burden: 285 $ (unchanged)

Working through the calculation

  • Applying the documented formula (Total plasma cutting cost = parts cut on the job × per-part plasma consumables and power + plasma gas and torch setup cost + operator labor with burden) to the inputs above produces each figure below.
  • At this operating point the engine returns 745 $ for total plasma cutting cost, the number this scenario is built around.
  • At this operating point the engine returns 1.86 $ / piece for plasma cutting cost per part.
  • At this operating point the engine returns 340 $ for per-part plasma consumables and power.
  • At this operating point the engine returns 405 $ for gas, torch setup, and operator labor.

How this compares with the baseline

  • Against the tool's baseline example, where parts cut on the job sits at 160 parts and the headline result is 541 $, this scenario comes in 37.71% above the baseline at 745 $.
  • A figure at this level is achievable when parts cut on the job is genuinely sustained, not just peaked for a shift. It assumes your per-part consumables figure already reflects real electrode and nozzle life at your amperage; if you plug in optimistic consumable wear, the per-part cost will read low.

Results at a glance

  • Total plasma cutting cost: 745 $ (headline result)
  • Plasma cutting cost per part: 1.86 $ / piece
  • Per-part plasma consumables and power: 340 $
  • Gas, torch setup, and operator labor: 405 $

Run it with your numbers

  • Every input above is editable in the live Plasma Cutting Cost calculator, which recalculates instantly and can be shared with the inputs intact.

Last reviewed 2026-05-12.