Druk3DTo

3D printing costs

How to calculate material, energy, machine use, labour and failure risk.

Separate material, energy, machine use, labour and risk instead of using one arbitrary rate.

When a per-gram rate is useful and when it hides the cost of a long print.

A simple way to spread purchase price and consumables over working hours.

Length depends on weight, diameter and material density.

Subtract the empty spool weight and keep a margin for the tail and scale error.

Default values are estimates; use manufacturer data for precise calculations.

Common slicer comments may contain time and filament use, but formats vary.

Cost depends on average power over the print, not only the power-supply rating.

Failure risk can be treated as expected cost and kept separate from markup.

Intervals should follow the printer model, working hours, materials and manual.

Sealed storage, labels and manufacturer guidance matter more than a universal drying temperature.

Compare used mass, waste and reliability, not only spool price.