3D Printing Cost Calculator: How to Estimate 3D Printing Cost?

With the popularity of 3D printing technology, more and more individual makers and enterprises have begun to use 3D printing to make parts, prototypes and customized products. However, the cost calculation of 3D printing involves many factors, such as materials, printing time, equipment depreciation, power consumption, etc. In order to help users estimate printing costs more conveniently and optimize production strategies. This article will introduce the factors that affect 3D printing costs and recommend some commonly used 3D printing cost calculators.

Main factors affecting 3D printing costs

In the article introducing the 3D printing farm, we mentioned the main factors affecting 3D printing costs, mainly including materials, equipment and labor costs.

1. Material cost

The prices of different 3D printing materials vary greatly, for example:

FDM filament: Common plastic filaments such as PLA and ABS are relatively low, usually between $20-$50/kg.

Photocurable resin: The photosensitive resin used in SLA printing is more expensive, usually $50-$200/L.

Powder materials: SLS metal powder and nylon powder are more expensive, nylon costs $50-150/kg, and metal materials can reach more than $500/kg.

Calculation method: Material cost = material unit price × usage weight

2. Printing time and equipment cost

The service life of 3D printers is limited, and equipment costs are usually calculated based on hourly depreciation. In addition, the longer the printing time, the more equipment wear and electric power consumption.

Calculation method: Equipment cost = equipment purchase cost/estimated number of hours of use × printing time

For example, if a $2,000 FDM printer is expected to be used for 5,000 hours, its hourly depreciation cost is $0.4.

At the same time, the electric power consumption of the 3D printer should also be considered. For example, the original Prusa i3 MK3S consumes 80-120W, depending on its activity, and the average is usually about 100W.

Calculation method: Electricity cost = power × printing time × electricity unit price

3. Labor cost

Labor cost includes design modeling before printing, operation and maintenance of 3D printers, and post-processing, etc. This needs to be comprehensively evaluated based on the cost of hiring people and working hours in your location.

3D printing cost calculator recommendation

Online 3D printing cost calculators usually require users to enter a series of parameters. Some professional calculators also provide automatic calculation functions. After directly uploading the STL file, it will analyze the volume and weight, and combine the printing parameters to make cost estimates. The following are some commonly used 3D printing cost calculators:

PRUSA 3D Printing Price Calculator

Source: https://blog.prusa3d.com/3d-printing-price-calculator_38905/

PRUSA 3D Printing Price Calculator is a practical tool designed for 3D printing cost calculation, helping users to accurately estimate printing costs. It is also one of the most comprehensive tools. Users only need to upload the G-code file, and the system will automatically analyze the estimated printing time and consumables weight. The calculator also supports manual entry of material costs, electricity costs, labor costs, equipment depreciation and maintenance costs, etc. Users can also adjust default parameters and customize pricing strategies to ensure reasonable pricing and profitability. In addition, Prusa's calculator has nearly 100 different currency options, and the calculation results can be saved, printed or shared, making cost management more efficient.

Fabbaloo 3D Print Job Cost Calculator

Source: https://www.fabbaloo.com/calc

Fabbaloo 3D Print Job Cost Calculator requires users to obtain data such as printing weight and time through slicing software, and enter parameters such as material unit price, electricity costs, printer purchase cost and service life. In addition to regular expenses, the calculator also supports users to add additional expenses such as design fees, component costs, expected profit markups, and failure rate compensation to adapt to different business models. It is especially suitable for individual manufacturers who need accurate cost accounting, providing strong support for formulating reasonable pricing strategies.

JLC3DP 3D Printing Quote

If you want to choose an online 3D printing service provider to help you print parts, JLC3DP's 3D Printing Quote is a good choice. You only need to upload the corresponding 3D files, and then select the printing technology, materials, colors and post-processing options you need. The system will automatically estimate the total quotation, including all product costs and shipping costs, without having to calculate various cost issues in 3D printing. If you need to print parts in large quantities, using JLC3DP production is a good choice. Additionally, developers can take advantage of JLC3DP's API, which seamlessly integrates automated 3D printing quotations into their platforms, making it easier to manage on-demand production and achieve win-win cooperation. Click the inquiry page to learn more!