Calculating print cost

[SpaceDawg 2]

Hi All,

 

Some of the model I've design and printed have gone down quite well and people are asking me to print them, but I don't want to do it for free.  So I'm wondering how much my models would actually cost.

 

Firstly does anyone know the KWH usage of an Ultimaker 2+

 

I know the cost of the filament and can work out depreciation on the prints assuming the printer will do 1,000 prints.

 

Thanks

 

 

 

 

 

[geert_2 557]

A couple of months ago there has been a discussion about how to calculate price, including all details. This was very well written up. But I don't remember the main users. Maybe you can find it via the search function?

 

[Ghene 24]

My pricing method is to calculate how many hours I want my printer to work per day then work out how many years I can realistically pay the cost of the printer back. That amount is then scaled down to how much it cost per minute.  Add the wattage consumption per hour or minute. Add the cost of the material etc.

To keep the prints affordable, I have to extend the payback period to 5 to 6 years. That's roughly £0.03 per minute 

I then add your electricity consumption and material to that.

 

I think I can recoup the investment quicker if I make small items I can print quick and in multiples like these we make for our mix media cards, pins and brooches. 

A bigger nozzle will also help print bigger files faster, thus getting a return on the investment faster.  
It would be really nice if Ultimaker can develop a print core with 1mm or 1.2mm nozzles 

 

Edited June 6, 2018 by Ghene