NanoQuote is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by xTool or Makeblock. xTool and MetalFab are trademarks of their respective owners. This guide is created by NanoQuote to help MetalFab owners quote jobs effectively.
Quoting jobs with xTool MetalFab
You've got an xTool MetalFab fiber laser. Here's how to set up NanoQuote with realistic parameters for your machine and start quoting jobs that actually make money.
MetalFab-specific quoting challenges
New machine, unknown rates
The MetalFab is relatively new. You can't Google "typical MetalFab hourly rate" and get useful results.
Mixing desktop and industrial expectations
It's positioned between desktop lasers and industrial machines. What's a fair rate? Industrial pricing or hobbyist pricing?
Cut speed uncertainty
Manufacturer specs give optimistic numbers. Real-world speeds depend on material, assist gas, and focus.
Enclosed machine considerations
The enclosure is a feature for safety/fume control, but limits max material size compared to open-bed machines.
Setting up NanoQuote for MetalFab
Create your machine profile
Add "xTool MetalFab" as a machine. Enter your actual working area dimensions (the usable bed size inside the enclosure).
Calculate your hourly rate
Start with machine cost ÷ expected lifetime hours, add electricity, consumables (nozzles, lenses, gas), and your labor. $50–80/hour is a reasonable starting range for a machine in this class.
Enter conservative cut rates
Start slower than spec sheets claim. For 1mm mild steel, try 1200–1500mm/min. For 3mm, try 400–600mm/min. Adjust up as you verify on actual cuts.
Test and refine
Cut a test piece, time it, compare to your quote. If reality is 20% slower, adjust your rates.
Factor in enclosure loading time
Opening/closing the enclosure, positioning material - this adds a minute or two per setup. Include it in your minimum job charge.
Features that help MetalFab owners
Custom machine profile
Store MetalFab-specific parameters: bed size, hourly rate, and cut rates per material/thickness.
DXF parsing for your bed size
See if parts fit your working area before quoting. No promising a job that won't fit.
Material library
Store cut speeds for the materials you actually run. Mild steel, stainless, aluminum - each with your real speeds.
Nesting preview
See how parts lay out on a sheet. Know material cost before committing.
Minimum job charge
Set a floor that accounts for setup time and small-job overhead. Don't lose money on tiny orders.
Why MetalFab owners use NanoQuote
Frequently asked questions
Start by calculating your actual costs (machine depreciation, power, gas, consumables, labor). For a MetalFab, $50–80/hour is a reasonable range, but your local market and costs matter more than generic advice.
They're optimistic. Real-world speeds depend on edge quality requirements, material variation, and assist gas. Start 20–30% slower than specs and adjust based on actual cuts.
You can quote them - but you'll need to cut in sections and potentially join pieces. Factor in the extra time and complexity. For oversized work, be upfront with customers.
No. NanoQuote works with any laser cutter. This page just has MetalFab-specific tips. Add whatever machines you have.
Know your working area dimensions exactly. When parsing DXFs, check that parts fit. If a job is close to the limit, measure carefully before committing.
Related resources
New Owner Guides
Other Machine Guides
Product Features
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