3d Printing Cost Calculator

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Reviewer: David Chen, ME (Mechanical Engineering, Advanced Manufacturing Specialist)

This calculator is designed to provide a comprehensive, estimated cost breakdown for FDM and SLA 3D printed parts.

Quickly estimate the true cost of your 3D printing project by factoring in material consumption, machine depreciation, and necessary post-processing labor time. Accuracy is key to profitable manufacturing!

3D Printing Cost Calculator

Estimated Total Printing Cost:

$0.00

Calculation details will appear here.

3D Printing Cost Calculator Formula

$$Total Cost = (W \times C_{m}) + (T_{p} \times C_{h}) + (T_{l} \times C_{l})$$ Source: Simplify3D – Cost Factors | 3DPrint.com – Cost Guide

Variables Explained

  • Material Weight (W): The actual mass of the final printed object and its support structures, typically measured in grams (g).
  • Filament/Resin Cost per Gram ($/g, $C_{m}$): The cost of the raw material (filament, resin, powder) expressed per unit weight. This converts your bulk spool/bottle cost into the cost for the specific part.
  • Print Time (hours, $T_{p}$): The duration the machine is actively running, consuming electricity and contributing to wear and tear.
  • Machine Depreciation/Hourly Rate ($/hr, $C_{h}$): An allocated cost representing machine amortization, maintenance, and power consumption per hour of use.
  • Post-Processing/Labor Time (hours, $T_{l}$): The time required for labor-intensive steps like support removal, curing, sanding, washing, or assembly.
  • Labor Hourly Rate ($/hr, $C_{l}$): The cost of the labor required for the post-processing time.

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What is a 3D Printing Cost Calculator?

The 3D Printing Cost Calculator is a vital tool used by hobbyists, service bureaus, and manufacturers to move beyond the simple cost of filament and determine the true “all-in” expense of producing a 3D printed part. Accurate costing is essential for setting competitive market prices or determining if in-house production is truly cost-effective compared to outsourcing.

While material costs are easily calculated, the overhead of machine time, operator labor, and post-processing steps are often overlooked. This calculator systematically breaks down these variables to provide a comprehensive and reliable estimate, ensuring financial transparency and optimizing print strategy.

How to Calculate 3D Printing Cost (Example)

Follow these steps using the calculator inputs for a sample part:

  1. Input Material Cost: Assume a part weighs 75g and the filament costs $30/kg (or $0.03/g). Input 75 and 0.03. Material Cost = $2.25.
  2. Input Machine Cost: The print takes 8 hours, and your machine costs $1.50 per hour to run. Input 8 and 1.50. Machine Cost = $12.00.
  3. Input Labor Cost: Post-processing requires 1.5 hours of sanding/curing, and labor is $20 per hour. Input 1.5 and 20. Labor Cost = $30.00.
  4. Calculate Total: The calculator sums the components: $2.25 (Material) + $12.00 (Machine) + $30.00 (Labor) = $44.25.
  5. Review and Adjust: Use the “Show Calculation Steps” feature to see the full breakdown and adjust any variables to find the most cost-effective solution for future prints.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q: Why is machine depreciation included in the cost?
A: Including machine depreciation ($C_{h}$) accounts for the gradual wear and tear and eventual replacement of the printer. Every hour the machine runs, it loses value and consumes maintenance resources, which is a real cost of production.
Q: What is the most unpredictable variable in 3D printing cost?
A: Labor/Post-Processing Time ($T_{l}$) is often the most variable cost. It depends heavily on the part’s complexity, required surface finish, and the type of material used (e.g., dissolvable supports require less manual labor but more cleaning time).
Q: Should I include the cost of failed prints?
A: While not directly calculated in this simplified formula, professional cost estimation should allocate a percentage (e.g., 5-10%) of the total cost for failure/overhead. This covers material and time lost to prints that need to be restarted.
Q: How do I find the Filament/Resin Cost per Gram ($/g)?
A: Take the total cost of your spool or bottle and divide it by the total weight in grams. E.g., a 1kg (1000g) spool of filament costing $25 results in a cost of $25 / 1000g = $0.025 per gram.
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