Select the profile and material
Choose standard plate, round plate, ring plate or round bar. Then select a material grade from Deulec’s material catalogue. The selected density is used for every weight calculation.
Metal shaping calculator
Compare raw and finished sizes, preview both shapes and estimate material weight, scrap, machined area and shaping cost.
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Estimate steel weight, scrap and shaping cost before machining.
Use this calculator when you know the purchased raw size and the required finished size of a steel block, plate, ring or round bar. It provides a consistent first estimate for material removal and shaping cost before you prepare a drawing or request a quotation. The live previews help you confirm that the selected profile and proportions match the job you are planning.
Enter the actual raw size
Measure the stock before machining and enter its nominal dimensions in millimetres. For a ring, include both outside and inside diameters.
Enter the required finished size
Add the final dimensions after shaping and grinding. The finished profile must fit inside the raw profile; otherwise the calculator identifies the dimensional conflict.
Add the shaping rate
Enter the applicable rate per machined square inch. Results update immediately as dimensions, grade or rate change.
How the shaping estimate works
The calculator first finds the volume of the raw profile and the volume of the finished profile. Removed volume is the difference between them. Each volume is converted from cubic millimetres to cubic metres and multiplied by the selected material density to estimate weight in kilograms.
Removed volumeRaw volume − finished volume
Weight in kgVolume in mm³ × density in kg/m³ ÷ 1,000,000,000
Theoretical scrapRaw weight − finished weight
Shaping costMachined area in in² × rate per in²
Square inches describe the surface being machined. The amount of steel removed is a volume, so it is shown separately in cubic inches and cubic centimetres. Keeping these values separate avoids treating surface area as material volume.
PROFILE METHODS
Calculations for plates, rings and round bars
Each profile uses its real geometric volume and the surfaces affected by the dimensional change.
ProfileDimensionsCalculation method
Standard plateLength × width × thickness
The calculator compares the rectangular raw and finished volumes. Machined area includes only the pairs of faces affected by a reduction in length, width or thickness.
Round plateOutside diameter × thickness
Volume is calculated as a solid cylinder. Face area is included when thickness changes, and the outside cylindrical area is included when diameter changes.
Ring plateOutside diameter × inside diameter × thickness
The centre bore is removed from both volume and face area. The estimate can include machining on the two faces, the outside diameter and the enlarged inside diameter.
Round barDiameter × length
Volume is calculated along the bar axis. Machined area includes the outside cylindrical surface when diameter changes and both ends when length changes.
READING THE RESULTS
What each value means
- Raw weight
- The estimated weight of the starting block before shaping.
- Finished weight
- The estimated weight after the entered dimensions are achieved.
- Theoretical scrap
- The difference between raw and finished weight. It represents removed steel, not its guaranteed recoverable value.
- Machined surface
- The finished surface area of the faces affected by a dimensional change, shown in square inches and square millimetres.
- Removed volume
- The physical material removed from the block, shown in cubic inches and cubic centimetres.
- Shaping cost
- Machined surface area multiplied by the shaping rate entered in rupees per square inch.
ESTIMATING LIMITS
Use the result for planning, then confirm the process.
This is a dimensional estimate rather than a final production quotation. Actual incoming stock may have mill tolerance, scale, cutting allowance or surface defects. Saw kerf, setup method, clamping, datum preparation, squareness, flatness, grinding allowance and inspection requirements can change machining time, scrap and supplied weight. Confirm the grade, measured raw size, finished tolerance, surface finish and applicable shaping rate before production.
COMMON QUESTIONS
Metal shaping calculator FAQs
What is the difference between machined area and removed volume?
Machined area measures the affected finished surfaces in square units. Removed volume measures the steel taken out of the raw block in cubic units. Shaping price uses area; scrap weight uses volume and material density.
Why can actual scrap weight differ from the estimate?
Theoretical scrap assumes exact rectangular or circular dimensions. Real stock can include tolerance, scale and cutting loss, while some removed material becomes chips, dust or mixed waste that may not be recoverable as clean scrap.
Can I calculate a ring when the bore also needs machining?
Yes. Enter the smaller raw inside diameter and the larger finished inside diameter. The calculator includes the enlarged bore in removed volume and includes its finished cylindrical surface in machined area.
Does the material grade change the shaping area?
No. Geometry determines area and volume. The selected grade changes estimated weight through its stored density. Machining difficulty and the rate you charge can still vary by grade, hardness and required finish.
Is the calculated shaping price a Deulec quotation?
No. It is an estimate based on the dimensions and rate entered in the tool. A quotation requires confirmation of material availability, actual stock, preparation, tolerances, inspection, quantity and delivery requirements.