Are you venturing into the world of 3D printing, either as a hobbyist or an entrepreneur? One crucial aspect to grasp is the cost involved in bringing your digital designs to life. Whether you’re running a 3D print e-shop, fulfilling requests from friends, or simply curious about your personal 3D printing expenses, understanding these costs is essential. Often, people only consider the price of the material, but a comprehensive 3D print cost calculation includes several other factors. This is where a 3d Print Cost Calculator becomes invaluable. This online tool will help you estimate the expenses associated with creating a 3D printed object, taking into account various elements beyond just filament or resin.
Disclaimer: If you intend to sell 3D printed models, ensure they are appropriately licensed, ideally under Creative Commons – Attribution. If unsure, always consult the designer.
Accurate 3D Print Cost Calculation: Utilizing a Calculator
To arrive at a precise cost for your 3D printed part, it’s important to input all relevant information into the calculator. By considering each factor, you can gain a realistic understanding of your expenses.
Real-World Examples: 3D Print Cost Breakdown for Popular Models
To illustrate how a 3D print cost calculator works in practice, let’s examine the costs associated with printing some popular 3D models. For these examples, we’ll assume a standard filament spool cost of $20, a 3D printer priced at $300, and a labor hourly rate of $20.
-
3DBenchy: This popular torture test model provides a quick benchmark for 3D printer performance.
- Material and Printer Costs Only: $0.51
- Including Setup & Designer Tip: $3.51 (This includes a 10-minute 3D printer setup cost and a $1 tip for the model designer, acknowledging their contribution.)
-
Flexi Rex: A fun, articulated model showcasing the capabilities of 3D printing.
- Material and Printer Costs Only: $0.68
- Including Setup, Slicer Configuration, & Designer Tip: $5.68 (This calculation incorporates 10 minutes for 3D printer setup, 10 minutes for slicer settings configuration to optimize the print, and a $1 designer tip.)
-
Dog The Gardener: A more complex model requiring supports, demonstrating the impact of design complexity on cost.
- Material and Printer Costs Only: $4.32
- Including Setup, Manual Supports, & Designer Tip: $9.32 (This reflects the added time for 3D printer setup, 10 minutes for manual placement of supports to ensure print success, and a $1 tip for the designer.)
Deep Dive into Cost Factors: Machine Price and Longevity
Price of the Machine ($) & 3D Printer Lifespan: When considering the cost of your 3D printer, factor in not just the initial purchase price but also long-term expenses. We recommend including maintenance costs to get a true machine price for your calculations. For instance, if your $300 3D printer requires a $5 PTFE tube replacement and you spend an hour replacing it at a $20/hour labor rate, the adjusted machine cost for that period becomes $325.
This principle applies to resin 3D printers as well, especially those using LCD technology. For accurate resin printing cost calculations, remember to account for the LCD screen’s lifespan, typically 2-3 years. Replacement can range from $200 to $500 depending on the brand. However, some manufacturers are now offering warranties covering 500 to 2,000 hours of use.
Estimated 3D Printer Lifespan (Hours): A 3D printer’s lifespan is finite, ranging roughly from 300 to 3000 hours, with an average around 1500 hours of printing time before significant component wear or failure. This metric is an estimation, influenced by factors such as printer brand and model, user maintenance skills, and the quality of 3D printing materials used. Our “average 1500h” is an approximate figure based on research and our experience with desktop FDM and resin 3D printers.
Minor repairs and proactive maintenance can significantly extend a 3D printer’s life. Replacing nozzles, belts, and PTFE tubes are common tasks. Owners who perform these repairs and even implement upgrades can enjoy a longer lifespan from their machines. If you have owned your 3D printer for a while, you can also input the actual total working hours to refine your cost calculations.
Accounting for Setup Time in 3D Print Cost
Time Spent Setting Up a 3D Printer? (Hours): The time required to set up your 3D printer for a specific print job is another factor in cost calculation. Consider these questions: Is your printer equipped with automatic bed leveling, or will you need to manually level the bed? Does the material you are using present bed adhesion challenges? In essence, how long will it take to ensure a successful first layer, the foundation of a good 3D print?
Factor in additional setup time if tasks like nozzle changes are involved. Switching to a different nozzle size, such as a thinner 0.2mm nozzle for detailed prints or a thicker 0.8mm nozzle for faster printing, necessitates recalibration and can add another 15-30 minutes to your setup time, unless you have a dedicated, pre-calibrated printer ready for such nozzles.
Slicer Settings Customization: Time is Money
Time Spent Customizing Slicer Settings? (Hours): Many 3D printing projects, particularly those requiring support structures, benefit from fine-tuning slicer software settings. Customizing support placement, for example, can be a time-consuming process but often leads to better print quality and material savings.
Mastering slicer settings optimization is a valuable skill. Well-optimized settings can significantly reduce print time and material usage for the same model compared to default settings. Exploring techniques like vase mode 3D printing for single-perimeter shells or hollowing models (reducing infill) can also impact both print time and material costs.
Extra Costs: Electricity, Design, and More
Extra Costs – Electricity, Designer Tips, etc. ($): This field in the 3D print cost calculator accounts for miscellaneous expenses.
- 3D Model Acquisition: Was the 3D model obtained for free, or did you purchase it? Consider supporting designers by leaving a tip, especially for free models you utilize frequently.
- Electricity Consumption: While less critical for individual prints, electricity costs become significant for 3D printer farms or frequent, large prints.
- Design Printability Adjustments: Does the model require modifications to be effectively 3D printed? For example, delicate features like thin fingers or tails might need thickening for successful FDM printing. If design adjustments are necessary, the labor rate for these customized design jobs can vary considerably.
We trust this 3D print cost calculator will provide valuable insights into the various costs associated with 3D printing. If you believe other factors should be included in the calculator, please feel free to share your suggestions in the comments below.
