1. What is the 3D Printing Cost Equation?

The 3D printing cost equation calculates the total cost of a 3D printed object by considering material costs and time-based costs including energy consumption and labor.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the 3D printing cost equation:

Where:

• \( C \) — Total cost (currency)
• \( M \) — Material used (grams)
• \( P \) — Material price per gram
• \( T \) — Printing time (hours)
• \( E \) — Energy cost per hour
• \( L \) — Labor cost per hour

Explanation: The equation accounts for both the direct material costs and the operational costs associated with the printing time.

3. Importance of Cost Calculation

Details: Accurate cost estimation is crucial for pricing 3D printed products, budgeting for projects, and comparing different manufacturing methods.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter all values as positive numbers. For accurate results, measure actual material usage and time from similar previous prints.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: Should I include machine depreciation?
A: For professional use, consider adding machine depreciation cost to the time-based calculation.

Q2: How do I determine energy cost?
A: Check your printer's power consumption (watts) and multiply by your electricity cost per kWh, then divide by 1000.

Q3: What about failed prints?
A: This calculator shows the cost per successful print. You may want to factor in your failure rate for overall cost analysis.

Q4: Does this include post-processing?
A: No, this calculates only the printing costs. Add additional time and materials for post-processing if needed.

Q5: How accurate is this for different materials?
A: Very accurate as long as you input the correct material price. Some materials may have different waste factors.