1. What is the Prusa Cost Equation?

The Prusa Cost Equation calculates the total cost of 3D printing by accounting for material costs, electricity, labor, and equipment depreciation. It provides a comprehensive view of printing expenses beyond just material costs.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the Prusa cost equation:

Where:

• \( C \) — Total cost (currency)
• \( M \) — Material weight (g)
• \( P \) — Price per gram (currency/g)
• \( T \) — Time (hours)
• \( E \) — Electricity cost (currency/hour)
• \( L \) — Labor cost (currency/hour)
• \( D \) — Depreciation cost (currency/hour)

Explanation: The equation accounts for all major cost components in 3D printing to give a complete picture of printing expenses.

3. Importance of Cost Calculation

Details: Accurate cost calculation is crucial for pricing prints competitively, understanding profitability, and identifying areas for cost optimization in 3D printing operations.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter all values in their respective units. Material weight should be the actual weight used, not the spool weight. Time should include both printing and setup time.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: How do I determine electricity cost?
A: Check your printer's power consumption (watts) and multiply by your electricity rate (currency/kWh), then convert to hourly cost.

Q2: What should I include in labor cost?
A: Include time spent on setup, monitoring, post-processing, and cleanup. Use your standard hourly labor rate.

Q3: How is depreciation calculated?
A: Divide your printer's cost by its estimated lifespan in hours. Include maintenance costs in this calculation.

Q4: Should I include failed prints?
A: For accurate costing, you should account for material and time spent on failed prints in your overall calculations.

Q5: Can this be used for other 3D printers?
A: Yes, this equation works for any FDM/FFF 3D printer, though specific values will vary by machine.