3D Printing Feed (Commercial) Calculator
Estimate the material feed, production cost, revenue and gross profit for a commercial 3D printing order.
Overview
This commercial 3D printing feed calculator estimates how much filament, resin or other print material a production order needs, then compares expected revenue with material, labor and overhead costs. Enter the material used per part, order quantity, waste allowance and pricing details to assess the job's estimated gross profit.
How it works
The calculator multiplies material used per part by the order quantity, then increases that amount by the waste allowance. It converts the resulting grams to kilograms to calculate material cost. Labor and overhead are calculated per part and added to material cost. Expected revenue is sale price per part times quantity; estimated gross profit is revenue minus the included production cost, and gross margin is gross profit divided by revenue.
How to use this calculator
- 1Enter the estimated material weight for one finished part.
- 2Add the total number of parts required by the customer.
- 3Set a waste and support allowance for your process.
- 4Enter your material cost per kilogram and per-part labor and overhead.
- 5Add the selling price per part and review feed requirements, cost and margin.
Example Calculation
Material per part
120
Number of parts
50
Waste and support allowance
12%
Material cost per kg
$25
Labor and overhead per part
$8
Sale price per part
$35
Total material feed required
6,720 g
A 50-part order using 120 g per part needs about 6,720 g of material including 12% waste. With the stated costs and price, estimated revenue is $1,750, production cost is $568, and gross profit is $1,182.
Frequently asked questions
What is material feed in commercial 3D printing?
Material feed is the total amount of filament, resin or other consumable material needed to produce an order. It should include the material in finished parts and an allowance for supports, purging and waste.
How much waste should I allow for 3D printing?
The right allowance varies by printer, material, part geometry and process control. Use recent job data where possible, and increase the allowance for support-heavy parts, color changes or a higher risk of failed prints.
Does the calculator include printer running costs?
It can, if you include machine time, electricity, finishing and other allocated operating expenses in the labor and overhead per part input.
Is gross profit the same as net profit?
No. Gross profit here is revenue minus the material, labor and overhead costs entered. Net profit can also reflect items such as rent, administration, taxes, shipping, payment fees and financing costs.
Can I use this calculator for resin and filament printing?
Yes. Enter the material weight per part in grams and your cost per kilogram. Make sure the waste percentage reflects the specific process, including supports, purge material or resin losses.
Why is my actual material use different from the estimate?
Actual use can differ because of slicer settings, infill, supports, orientation, calibration, failed prints and post-processing. Update the material-per-part and waste inputs using measured production results.
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Assumptions and warnings
Assumptions
- All parts use the same material quantity, production cost and selling price.
- The waste allowance covers supports, purging and expected failed prints as one combined percentage.
- Production cost includes only material plus the labor and overhead amount entered per part.
- Revenue is calculated before sales taxes, discounts, shipping, payment processing fees and other unlisted costs.
- Results are commercial estimates and depend on actual print settings, yield and operating costs.
Warnings
- This calculator provides a business estimate only and is not financial or pricing advice.
- Review actual machine capacity, quality-control requirements, taxes, shipping and contractual costs before accepting a commercial order.