Simplify3D User Forum

I'm not looking for S3D to give a cost. I'm curious how those of you using your machines to print parts for sale
price the parts. Weight of part translates into cost of filament. that part's easy...
What magic formula do you use for the cost of the machine's time?
for example.. let's assume a 40hr work week, 50 weeks/year, that's 2000 hrs of available print time/year.
If you also assume a 5 year 'deprecation' on the cost of the machine, then an hour of printing time
comes out to be [cost of machine]/10,000
now that ignores other costs of keeping the machine running. eg maintenance & part replacement.
and while the 5 year time for deprecation is an 'accounting' number is it realistic to presume
you'll keep a 3d printer going that long?

Please share the formula you use for costing machine time.
share the actual numbers too if you like..

thanks
Frank Pirz
Media Conversions LLC
http://www.r2d2.media-conversions.net

I charge based on print time. I kinda stole the framework from a nearby commercial site in my city. Anyway, they charge a $20 or $30 setup fee plus $10 per hour (they have the machines and you make an appointment to go use them). I on the other hand take the files from people and do most of the printing myself. Thus, I only charge $5 to $10 an hour. I am in more of an educational setting though (our main goal is education actually, not profit), so that is why our prices are so low. Either way, charging by print time is the only way to go because that takes into account quality, multiple materials, etc.

hiya,

I just add 1% for parts and repair and keep a track of it.

I have a plug in power monitor that the printer plugs into then it plugs into the wall. it tells me the units used per hour. add to that the power company's price/unit of power I can then use Excel to apply a formula in the back ground. I then have as a time and filament quantity form and it then shows me the cost of electricity, filament and combined total.