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General Operating Costs and Metrics  

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RedDawg
(@reddawg)
Reputable Member
General Operating Costs and Metrics

Are there any studies or charts/graphs/tables available detailing the operating costs, exclusive of filaments, for various model printers using different filaments? I am doing a large (in excess of 30 hours) project for a friend. He is providing the filament but I need to charge him a realistic price for electricity. Because each filament has its own nozzle and bed temperature profile, power draw will vary accordingly. If I had the wattage draw of a given printer using a given filament, I could use my local utility rates to calculate the power costs. Unfortunately, I do not have the instrumation necessary to measure the draw of individual devices such as these. Suggestions?

Hear ye, Hear ye! Step right up folks and get your Government salvation here! Less than $.002 per word! Amazon.com/dp/B0B8XMMFP4

Posted : 01/04/2023 12:54 pm
Stefan
(@stefan-3)
Estimable Member
RE:

MK3S consumes approx. 120 W when printing ABS according to Prusa. This is also my own experiency (measured it on my own.)

30 h printing is 3,5 KWh consumed, which is even in Germany only ~ 1.5 $ /€

You do not charge this to a friend...

Posted : 01/04/2023 1:40 pm
Diem
 Diem
(@diem)
Illustrious Member

There are other costs; filament drying, cad/slicing, cleaning/maintenance, the occasional failed print (especially likely with other people's designs unless they are well versed in 3D printing) - all the usual costs of operating a business.

As a ballpark base charge I use the weight of filament and the rated power supply max for the predicted print hours.  For your 30 hour print with a Mk3 that would be just under six kilowatt hours.   But I don't actually charge for simple printing unless I have to buy in a specific filament.  My printer creates fixes for some the problems I encounter and quite often I don't supply the part.  I have printed prototypes for local testing then emailed the files to the Mediterranean for printing in port.  I have prototyped parts that have then been sent for stainless steel or phospher bronze fabrication, and, yes I *have* printed parts that have been fitted to an engine to adapt obsolete connectors...

As a rough guide, in most cases, double the obvious costs is about your actual cost not counting your time.

Cheerio,

 

Posted : 01/04/2023 2:03 pm
karl-herbert
(@karl-herbert)
Illustrious Member
RE: General Operating Costs and Metrics
Posted by: @reddawg

Are there any studies or charts/graphs/tables available detailing the operating costs, exclusive of filaments, for various model printers using different filaments? I am doing a large (in excess of 30 hours) project for a friend. He is providing the filament but I need to charge him a realistic price for electricity. Because each filament has its own nozzle and bed temperature profile, power draw will vary accordingly. If I had the wattage draw of a given printer using a given filament, I could use my local utility rates to calculate the power costs. Unfortunately, I do not have the instrumation necessary to measure the draw of individual devices such as these. Suggestions?

To approximate the costs, I often use this site: https://blog.prusa3d.com/3d-printing-price-calculator_38905/

wbr,

Karl

Statt zu klagen, dass wir nicht alles haben, was wir wollen, sollten wir lieber dankbar sein, dass wir nicht alles bekommen, was wir verdienen.

Posted : 01/04/2023 3:19 pm
RedDawg
(@reddawg)
Reputable Member
Topic starter answered:
RE: General Operating Costs and Metrics

I recognize those costs (in addition to electricity), I just judged them to be small in proportion, but thanks for the insight.

Hear ye, Hear ye! Step right up folks and get your Government salvation here! Less than $.002 per word! Amazon.com/dp/B0B8XMMFP4

Posted : 01/04/2023 5:09 pm
RedDawg
(@reddawg)
Reputable Member
Topic starter answered:
RE: General Operating Costs and Metrics

Ah, that's a very helpful link, don't know how I missed it. Thanks.

Hear ye, Hear ye! Step right up folks and get your Government salvation here! Less than $.002 per word! Amazon.com/dp/B0B8XMMFP4

Posted : 01/04/2023 5:10 pm
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