I am sure this has been asked a million times so please excuse me for asking about this!
How accurate or reasonable do you feel the S3D price, weight and length estimates are? If I enter the costs and density as best as possible for a particular material do you think the output for the model are pretty reasonable?
Reason I ask is I am going to have a bunch of fairly simple prints coming up and wanted to figure a base cost for the plastic used per print.
I appreciate any thoughts on this.
P.S. also found this calculator that seems ok. Thoughts on this for a basic costing calculator?
http://www.3dpartprice.com/
Re: How accurate do you think S3D cost estimate is?
I've weighed printed parts quite a few times, and usually the weight estimate from S3D is more or less spot on every time. You will of course have to make sure that the input values (density etc) in S3D are correct to get accurate results.
Re: How accurate do you think S3D cost estimate is?
Why not use the search when you're sure it has been asked a million times? 
If you have density, diameter and price, it should be pretty close. (closer than the estimated time I guess). Just do some prints and weight them? If it is off by a few grams, it does not change the price significantly. So even if it is off a bit, the price should be close enough.
If you have density, diameter and price, it should be pretty close. (closer than the estimated time I guess). Just do some prints and weight them? If it is off by a few grams, it does not change the price significantly. So even if it is off a bit, the price should be close enough.
Re: How accurate do you think S3D cost estimate is?
Thanks for the input.
Good idea on weighing a few prints. I was thinking on trying that.
These prints I am going to be doing are large but easy, 3D names basically but when you put them in 3dhubs for a price it is crazy high so I am trying to come up with a realistic cost and go from there. Basically trying to come up with a pricing model, something like a per letter cost. Not sure yet what is best.
Good idea on weighing a few prints. I was thinking on trying that.
These prints I am going to be doing are large but easy, 3D names basically but when you put them in 3dhubs for a price it is crazy high so I am trying to come up with a realistic cost and go from there. Basically trying to come up with a pricing model, something like a per letter cost. Not sure yet what is best.
Re: How accurate do you think S3D cost estimate is?
It should be very close. As long as you give it good data. Really cost of the Kg of material. Unlike time estimates, which will vary quite a bit once they hit an individual Printers firmware and hardware, materials estimates should be very precise. How many mm will be extruded? As long as your material is of a consistent diameter and thus weight per distance, it should all line up easily.
Re: How accurate do you think S3D cost estimate is?
Thanks again for the input. Haven't had a chance to weigh a part to compare but sounds like I can use the weight/cost estimate as a guide to cost the material used for a part.
This will be helpful.
This will be helpful.
