1. What is 3D Print Time Cost?

The 3D Print Time Cost calculates the monetary cost of a 3D print job based on the time it takes to print and the hourly rate of the printer operation. This helps in estimating production costs and pricing printed items.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses a simple formula:

Where:

• Print Time — Duration of the print job in hours
• Hourly Rate — Cost per hour of printer operation

Explanation: The calculation multiplies the total printing time by the cost per hour to operate the printer, which may include electricity, maintenance, and depreciation costs.

3. Importance of Print Cost Calculation

Details: Accurate cost calculation is essential for pricing 3D printed products, comparing production methods, and budgeting for print jobs.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter print time in hours (can be decimal for minutes) and the hourly rate in your local currency. Both values must be positive numbers.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What should be included in the hourly rate?
A: Consider electricity, filament cost, printer maintenance, and a portion of the printer's initial cost spread over its lifespan.

Q2: How accurate is this calculation?
A: It provides a basic estimate. For precise costing, consider additional factors like failed prints, post-processing time, and labor costs.

Q3: Should I include labor costs?
A: If significant labor is involved (setup, monitoring, post-processing), you may want to add a separate labor cost component.

Q4: How do I estimate print time before printing?
A: Most slicing software provides time estimates before generating the G-code.

Q5: Does this work for all 3D printing technologies?
A: The basic formula applies, but hourly rates may vary significantly between FDM, SLA, SLS, and other technologies.