1. What is the Prusa Cost Calculation?

The Prusa cost calculation estimates the total cost of a 3D print by considering both material costs and energy consumption. It provides a simple way to calculate printing expenses for better budgeting and pricing decisions.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the Prusa cost equation:

Where:

• \( C \) — Total cost (currency)
• \( F \) — Filament used (grams)
• \( P \) — Price per gram of filament (currency/g)
• \( T \) — Print time (hours)
• \( E \) — Energy cost per hour (currency/hour)

Explanation: The equation calculates material costs based on filament usage and adds the energy costs based on print duration.

3. Importance of Cost Calculation

Details: Accurate cost estimation helps in pricing 3D printed items for sale, budgeting for personal projects, and comparing different printing options.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter filament usage in grams, price per gram in your local currency, print time in hours, and energy cost per hour. All values must be non-negative.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: How accurate is this calculation?
A: It provides a basic estimate but doesn't include printer depreciation, maintenance, or other overhead costs.

Q2: Where can I find my energy cost per hour?
A: Check your electricity bill for cost per kWh, then multiply by your printer's power consumption (typically 50-150W for most FDM printers).

Q3: Should I include failed prints in my calculations?
A: For business purposes, you may want to factor in a failure rate percentage to your total costs.

Q4: Does this work for resin printers?
A: The same formula can be used, but you'll need to adjust for resin costs and different energy consumption.

Q5: How can I reduce my printing costs?
A: Optimize designs to use less material, print multiple items simultaneously, and use energy-efficient settings.