Costing tool for estimation in Solidworks - Step-by-Step Guide

Introduction

The costing tool in SolidWorks helps you estimate the manufacturing cost of your design. It calculates costs based on materials, processes, and quantities, so you can plan budgets and pricing accurately.

When you want to know how much it will cost to make a part before production.

When comparing different materials to see which is more cost-effective.

When adjusting design features to reduce manufacturing expenses.

When preparing a quote for a customer based on your design.

When tracking cost changes as you update your model.

Steps

Step 1: Open your part or assembly file

- SolidWorks main window

Your design appears on screen ready for costing analysis

Step 2: Click the 'Evaluate' tab

- CommandManager toolbar

Evaluation tools including Costing become visible

Step 3: Click the 'Costing' button

- Evaluate tab

Costing PropertyManager opens on the right side

Step 4: Select the manufacturing process

- Costing PropertyManager under 'Process' dropdown

Process options like machining, sheet metal, plastic injection, or casting appear

Step 5: Choose the material

- Costing PropertyManager under 'Material' dropdown

Material options relevant to the process are listed

Step 6: Enter quantity to produce

- Costing PropertyManager in 'Quantity' field

Costing tool adjusts calculations based on volume

Step 7: Review the cost summary

- Costing PropertyManager summary section

Displays estimated cost per part and total cost for quantity

Before vs After

Before

No cost information shown; design file open with no cost estimates

After

Costing PropertyManager shows estimated cost per part as $45.30 and total cost for 100 parts as $4,530

Settings Reference

Process

📍 Costing PropertyManager under 'Process' dropdown

Selects the manufacturing method to base cost calculations on

Default: Machining

Material

📍 Costing PropertyManager under 'Material' dropdown

Defines the material type for cost estimation

Default: Aluminum

Quantity

📍 Costing PropertyManager 'Quantity' field

Sets the number of parts to produce, affecting cost scaling

Default: 1

Custom Costing Templates

📍 Tools > Options > Costing

Allows customization of cost rates and factors for accuracy

Default: Standard templates provided by SolidWorks

Common Mistakes

Not selecting the correct manufacturing process

Cost estimates will be inaccurate if the process does not match how the part will be made

Always choose the process that matches your actual manufacturing method

Using default material without checking if it matches the design

Material costs vary widely and affect the total cost significantly

Verify and select the exact material used in your design

Ignoring quantity input and leaving it at 1

Cost per part can decrease with higher quantities due to efficiencies

Enter the correct production quantity to get realistic cost estimates

Summary

The costing tool estimates manufacturing costs based on process, material, and quantity.

Selecting the correct process and material is key to accurate cost estimation.

Adjust quantity to see how costs scale with production volume.

Practice

1.

What is the main purpose of the SolidWorks costing tool?

easy

A. To create 3D animations of the design

B. To simulate the physical behavior of parts

C. To estimate manufacturing costs from a CAD model

D. To generate marketing materials automatically

Solution

1. Step 1: Understand the costing tool function

   The costing tool analyzes the CAD model to estimate how much it will cost to make the part.

2. Step 2: Compare options

   Other options like animation or simulation are not related to cost estimation.

3. Final Answer:

   To estimate manufacturing costs from a CAD model -> Option C

4. Quick Check:

   Costing tool = cost estimation [OK]

Hint: Costing tool = cost estimation from model [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Confusing costing with simulation
• Thinking it creates animations
• Assuming it generates marketing content

2.

Which of the following is the correct way to start a costing analysis in SolidWorks?

CostingTool.StartAnalysis()

easy

A. CostingTool.RunEstimate()

B. CostingTool.BeginCosting()

C. CostingTool.InitCost()

D. CostingTool.StartAnalysis()

Solution

1. Step 1: Identify the correct method name

   The method StartAnalysis() is the correct syntax to begin costing analysis in SolidWorks API.

2. Step 2: Check other options

   Other method names like BeginCosting(), InitCost(), and RunEstimate() are incorrect or do not exist.

3. Final Answer:

   CostingTool.StartAnalysis() -> Option D

4. Quick Check:

   Correct method = StartAnalysis() [OK]

Hint: Look for method with 'Start' and 'Analysis' words [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Using incorrect method names
• Confusing initialization with analysis start
• Assuming similar sounding methods exist

3.

Given the following costing parameters:
MaterialCost = 10
LaborCost = 5
MachineCost = 3
What is the total estimated cost calculated by TotalCost = MaterialCost + LaborCost + MachineCost?

medium

A. 18

B. 15

C. 10

D. 8

Solution

1. Step 1: Add material, labor, and machine costs

   MaterialCost (10) + LaborCost (5) + MachineCost (3) = 10 + 5 + 3 = 18

2. Step 2: Confirm total cost calculation

   The formula sums all costs correctly to get total cost.

3. Final Answer:

   18 -> Option A

4. Quick Check:

   Sum costs = 18 [OK]

Hint: Add all cost components for total [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Adding only two costs
• Mixing up cost values
• Forgetting to sum machine cost

4.

Identify the error in this costing calculation snippet:

MaterialCost = 12
LaborCost = '5'
TotalCost = MaterialCost + LaborCost

medium

A. TotalCost calculation is correct

B. LaborCost is a string, causing a type error

C. MaterialCost should be a string

D. Missing semicolon after LaborCost

Solution

1. Step 1: Check variable types

   MaterialCost is a number (12), but LaborCost is a string ('5'), which cannot be added directly.

2. Step 2: Identify error in addition

   Adding number and string causes a type error in most languages.

3. Final Answer:

   LaborCost is a string, causing a type error -> Option B

4. Quick Check:

   Type mismatch = error [OK]

Hint: Ensure all costs are numbers before adding [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Ignoring data types
• Assuming implicit conversion
• Thinking semicolon is required

5.

You want to estimate the cost of a part with variable material thickness. The costing tool allows you to set a parameter Thickness that affects material cost. If material cost per unit thickness is $4, and thickness is 2.5 units, what is the material cost?

hard

A. $10

B. $6.5

C. $8

D. $12

Solution

1. Step 1: Understand cost calculation

   Material cost = cost per unit thickness * thickness = 4 * 2.5

2. Step 2: Calculate total material cost

   4 * 2.5 = 10

3. Final Answer:

   $10 -> Option A

4. Quick Check:

   4 x 2.5 = 10 [OK]

Hint: Multiply unit cost by thickness [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Adding instead of multiplying
• Using wrong thickness value
• Confusing units and cost