What to watch out for when having a DIY for 3D printing low volume productions

As a company that offers 3D printing services, we always get asked: “how much does it cost to 3d print?”.

Our answer has always been the same – “it depends”. This is because of the factors that contribute to the cost of 3d printing.

So today, we’re breaking down each factor for you. If you’re 3D printing at home, then those factors are:

• Material 
• Electricity 
• 3D printer cost 

 

Estimating a DIY Low Volume 3D Printing Cost

If you’re looking for a 3D printing for low volume production business, this guide should help you understand how pricing works when it comes to 3d printing.

Cost of purchasing and operating a 3D printer

If you’re starting a 3D printing business or looking to make money with 3D printing, you might want to consider the cost of a 3D printer. 3D printers can have a starting price of ₱10,000. It may be pricier with more advanced technologies and/or updated programs.

Let’s say you purchased a ₱10,000 3D Printer that you plan to use 8 hrs / day for 2 years. We’re going to ignore repair costs, electricity, etc. for the sake of simplicity.

8 x 365 x 2 = 5840 total hours

₱10,000 / 5840 hrs = ~ ₱1.71/hr

So if your 3D model would take about 4 hours to 3D print, then you need to charge ₱6.84 on top of your price to account for your machine upkeep.

In a way, the time it takes to 3D print also adds to the cost of 3D printing.

3D Model

“Send us the 3D model” is the second thing we tell our clients after telling them “it depends”.

Without the 3D model, it’s tough to come up with an accurate quote for a 3D print even for seasoned veterans.

Model volume	Complexity
With the 3d model on hand, we can calculate the total volume of the model. The total volume lets us know how much material is needed to 3d print your file. In short, the larger the volume, the higher the cost.	For some 3d printing services, everything is automated, which can make transactions faster. For simple products, this can be the right solution. What about complex parts and architectural models? We found that even with the most sophisticated algorithm, you still need some human guidance when it comes to 3d printing these types of projects.

Type of material

The materials that you choose matter when it comes to the cost of 3d printing. There are tons to choose from so we are going to focus on the popular ones:

• Thermoplastics (Filaments and Powder) Cost between ₱1,000 –  ₱4,000 per kg.
• Thermosets (Resin) Standard resin, on average, cost ₱3,000 per liter. Some resin materials can go up to ₱15,000.

Post-processing

Contrary to what you might think, post-processing is mandatory for any 3D printer. Furthermore, it has the serious flaw of being a considerable cost that is often seriously underestimated.

In fact, finishing is not just the removal of supports in FDM or SLA printing which takes time and often can lead to damage to the part.

Profit margin

Profit margins for a 3D printing business can be somewhere between 50% – 90% of material cost. We’re using material cost as a basis for the sake of simplicity. But profit margins are actually much lower once you start including labor and overhead costs.

There is also a minimum fee that gets added if the cost of 3D printing is less than a certain amount. It wouldn’t make sense for a company to 3D print something for you for a print that costs ₱200. 

Even in a highly automated 3D printing service, there’s still some labor involved. Either you add more quantity or pay the base price which is around ₱1,500-₱4,500.

 

3D Printing for Low Volume Production with 3D2GO

As an innovative 3D printing company, it gives manufacturers access to a flexible, on-demand option for prototyping, low-volume production, and scaling.  

3D2GO’s printing manufacturing technologies give companies access to cloud-connected 3D printers, high-performance materials, and advanced manufacturing services.

Innovate and manufacture with our advanced 3D printing services for prototyping, low-volume, and high-volume manufacturing services. Contact us today!