In the sheet metal manufacturing industry, reasonable calculation of processing costs is crucial for enterprise cost control, quotation setting, and profit guarantee. This article will systematically discuss the cost calculation methods in sheet metal manufacturing from multiple aspects such as material costs, processing fees, labor and management costs.



One, Calculation of Material Costs



Material cost is usually the largest part of the cost of sheet metal products. It includes the procurement price of raw materials (such as cold-rolled steel, galvanized steel, stainless steel, etc.), transportation costs, storage losses, and the cost of scrap material handling.



The calculation formula is as follows:



Material cost = Material price × Material consumption × (1 + waste rate)



Among which:

- Material price: Determined according to market conditions or supplier quotations;

- Material consumption: Calculated based on the product unfolded drawing;

- Waste rate: Generally 3%~10%, depending on the complexity of the processing.



For example: For a product with an unfolded area of 1㎡ using 1.0mm cold-rolled steel, the current price is 60 yuan/kg, the density is 7.85kg/㎡·mm, the weight of a single piece of material = 1×1×7.85 = 7.85kg, then the material cost ≈ 7.85×60×(1+5%) ≈ 494.55 yuan.



Two, Calculation of Processing Costs



Processing costs mainly include the costs of stamping, bending, laser cutting, welding, spraying, and other processes. The processing cost of each process can be calculated comprehensively based on equipment depreciation, energy consumption, mold wear, and other factors.



Common calculation methods are as follows:



Processing cost = Unit process rate × Processing time/quantity



For example:

- Laser cutting is charged by minutes;

- Pressing is charged by the number of presses;

- Bending is charged by the number of blades;

- Spraying is charged by area or piece count.



Enterprises usually establish unified processing fee standards for convenience in quick calculation.



Three, Allocation of Labor and Management Costs



Labor cost includes wages, welfare, and social security of employees directly involved in production. Management costs include office expenses, water and electricity, property management, equipment depreciation, warehousing logistics, and other indirect costs.



These costs are usually included in the unit product in the form of 'cost plus markup' or 'proportional allocation':



Labor cost = Total labor cost ÷ Monthly production volume



Management cost = Total management cost ÷ Monthly production volume



The coefficients for labor and management costs can also be set according to the complexity of the product.



Four, Comprehensive Cost Accounting



By adding up the above costs, the total processing cost per unit product can be obtained:



Total cost = Material cost + Processing cost + Labor cost + Management cost



On this basis, with reasonable profit margin and tax, the final product quotation is determined.



Five, Conclusion



In the process of sheet metal manufacturing, accurate cost accounting not only helps enterprises control costs and improve efficiency, but also enhances market competitiveness. With the popularization of digital management systems, more and more enterprises adopt ERP or MES systems for dynamic cost monitoring, achieving an effective combination of lean production and cost control. Therefore, establishing a scientific cost accounting system is the key to the sustainable development of sheet metal enterprises.