Calculator Inputs
Use this for extrusion, trim, tubing, strip, rail, and similar manufacturing quotes.
Example Data Table
| Job | Qty | Length/Piece | Pricing Basis | Material Rate | Scrap | Estimated Cost/LF |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aluminum Trim Line | 500 | 8 ft | Per lb | $2.40 | 4.5% | $1.39 |
| Steel Rail Batch | 220 | 12 ft | Per LF | $3.85 | 3.0% | $5.22 |
| PVC Edge Strip | 1200 | 6 ft | Per lb | $1.95 | 2.2% | $0.88 |
Formula Used
1. Cross-section area: Width × Thickness
2. Volume per piece: Length in inches × Cross-section area
3. Weight per piece: Volume per piece × Density
4. Scrap factor: 1 ÷ (1 − Scrap%)
5. Material total: Base material cost × Quantity × Scrap factor
6. Labor and machine totals: Batch hours × hourly rate × Scrap factor
7. Subtotal: Material + Labor + Machine + Fixed + Other variable
8. Total cost before margin: Subtotal + Overhead
9. Sell value: Total cost before margin + Margin
10. Cost per LF: Total cost before margin ÷ Sold linear feet
How to Use This Calculator
- Enter a job name so exported files stay identifiable.
- Choose whether your raw material is priced by weight or by linear foot.
- Enter batch quantity, piece length, width, thickness, and density.
- Add setup, labor, machine, tooling, packaging, logistics, and QC inputs.
- Set scrap, overhead, and target margin percentages.
- Press the calculate button to display results above the form.
- Use the chart plus CSV and PDF buttons to share the quote internally.
FAQs
1. What does LF mean in this calculator?
LF means linear foot. The calculator spreads total manufacturing cost across the finished feet sold, giving a quoting rate that matches many extrusion, rail, trim, and strip jobs.
2. When should I use weight-based pricing?
Use weight-based pricing when suppliers quote raw material by pound. The tool converts dimensions and density into estimated weight, then calculates material cost per piece and per linear foot.
3. When is direct LF pricing better?
Use direct LF pricing when your supplier already gives a rate per finished foot. This is common for purchased profiles, outsourced runs, or contract materials with fixed lineal pricing.
4. Why does scrap increase cost so much?
Scrap raises effective consumption. To ship the same good quantity, you must start more material and often spend more labor and machine time. That higher input load increases cost per piece and per LF.
5. Does overhead include profit?
No. Overhead covers business burden such as supervision, utilities, rent, or support functions. Margin is added after cost and overhead so you can separate internal cost recovery from target profitability.
6. Can I use this for tubing, rails, and trims?
Yes. It fits many linear products, especially when cross-section stays constant. If the shape varies, use average dimensions or adjust density assumptions to keep weight estimates practical.
7. Why are setup and tooling spread over the batch?
Those are fixed job costs. Spreading them across the sold length shows how short runs usually carry a higher rate per LF, while longer batches dilute fixed burden.
8. What is the difference between cost per LF and sell price per LF?
Cost per LF reflects your estimated internal cost before profit. Sell price per LF adds the target margin, giving a customer-facing quote level for the same manufacturing assumptions.