3.3 Cost Drivers

The actual cost of a forging can be determined only by obtaining a cost analysis from a reputable forging producer. The designer should be aware, however, of the factors that drive the cost of a forging. Five categories of cost drivers should be considered.

• Material cost
• Tooling cost
• Manufacturing cost
• Secondary (value added) operations
• Quantities produced

A discussion of these five main cost drivers follows.