3D Printing Sensitivity Analysis Calculator Examples
Worked examples showing how material prices, print speed, machine rates, and failed attempts affect estimated 3D printing cost.
These examples show how to read the calculator when comparing practical 3D printing scenarios. Each estimate treats the failure rate as a planning assumption and separates material cost from machine running cost.
Desktop prototype with moderate failures
A 100 g PLA part takes 6 hours, material costs $22 per kg, machine cost is $1.20 per hour, and 8% of attempts are expected to fail.
Input Summary
Filament weight
100 g
Filament price
$22.00 per kg
Print time
6 hours
Machine rate
$1.20 per hour
Failure rate
8%
Calculation Breakdown
- 1Material cost per attempt0.10 × 22.00$2.20
- 2Machine cost per attempt6 × 1.20$7.20
- 3Expected completed-print cost(2.20 + 7.20) / 0.92$10.22
Result Summary
Expected completed-print cost
$10.22
3D Printing Sensitivity Analysis Calculator
The expected cost is about $10.22 per successful prototype.
Faster production run with higher material cost
A 150 g print takes 8 hours at $25 per kg and $1.50 per machine hour. The scenario has 10% higher material price and 20% faster effective printing, with a 10% failure rate.
Input Summary
Filament weight
150 g
Baseline print time
8 hours
Filament price change
+10%
Speed change
+20%
Failure rate
10%
Calculation Breakdown
- 1Baseline expected cost((0.15 × 25.00) + (8 × 1.50)) / 0.90$17.50
- 2Scenario print time8 / 1.206.67 hours
- 3Scenario expected cost((0.15 × 27.50) + (6.67 × 1.50)) / 0.90$15.69
Result Summary
Scenario expected cost
$15.69
3D Printing Sensitivity Analysis Calculator
The scenario reduces expected cost by about $1.81 per successful print.
Long engineering print with an increased machine rate
A 500 g part takes 24 hours. Material costs $35 per kg, the baseline machine rate is $2.00 per hour, the rate rises 25%, and failures are estimated at 5%.
Input Summary
Filament weight
500 g
Filament price
$35.00 per kg
Print time
24 hours
Baseline machine rate
$2.00 per hour
Machine rate change
+25%
Failure rate
5%
Calculation Breakdown
- 1Baseline expected cost((0.50 × 35.00) + (24 × 2.00)) / 0.95$68.95
- 2Scenario machine rate2.00 × 1.25$2.50 per hour
- 3Scenario expected cost((0.50 × 35.00) + (24 × 2.50)) / 0.95$81.58
Result Summary
Scenario expected cost
$81.58
3D Printing Sensitivity Analysis Calculator
The increased machine rate raises expected cost by about $12.63 per successful print.
How to Read Your Results
The scenario expected cost is the estimated material and machine cost required to obtain one successful completed print.
The baseline result provides the comparison point before scenario changes are applied.
A negative cost difference means the scenario is estimated to cost less than the baseline.
The print time change is per print attempt and does not include setup or post-processing time.
Use the percentage cost change to compare effects across parts with different absolute costs.
Assumptions & Important Notes
- Failed attempts are assumed to consume the full material and run time of a normal print.
- The selected failure rate applies equally to the baseline and scenario.
- Print speed changes affect machine time but not estimated material weight.
- Currency values use the same currency unit throughout each example.
Related Examples
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a useful first scenario to test?
Test the expected change you are considering, such as a new filament price, a faster profile, or a revised machine hourly cost, while keeping other inputs consistent.
Why can a faster print still cost more?
It can cost more if material or machine rates rise enough to exceed the saving from shorter machine time, or if the real failure rate increases.
Should failed attempts use a full-print cost?
This calculator does so for a simple planning estimate. If failures usually happen early, the estimate may overstate their cost.
Can I compare two different materials?
Yes, provided you enter the appropriate price per kilogram and estimated weight for the material being compared.
Ready to calculate your own result?
Use the live calculator with your own inputs, timing, and preferences.