The fundamental difference between the two methods
In cold forging, metal is formed under pressure inside a die at room temperature; no chips are produced. In CNC turning, the part is machined by removing chips from a raw bar. This basic difference separates the cost structures from the start.
Cost components
Cold forging: High initial cost (tooling investment), but very low per-part cost. Once the die is built, presses produce several parts per second.
CNC turning: No tooling cost, production starts immediately; but there is machining time and material waste cost for every part.
The break-even point
General rule: for a small-to-medium diameter fastener, when the order quantity rises above a certain threshold, the tooling cost of cold forging is amortized and the per-part cost drops far below CNC.
- Low quantity: CNC turning is flexible and economical
- High quantity: Cold forging provides a clear cost advantage
- The threshold: varies by part diameter and complexity — so instead of a fixed figure, a project-specific calculation is made
Factors beyond cost
The decision is not made on cost alone. Cold forging also provides 20-30% higher strength and continuous grain flow. For parts requiring critical strength, forging may be preferred even at low quantities.
Summary
For high-volume, repeat orders, cold forging is almost always the right choice. For prototypes or very small batches, CNC makes sense. At ANG FAST we recommend the most appropriate method based on your project’s quantity, diameter, and strength requirement.