HOW MUCH DOES 3D PRINTING COST?

To calculate the cost of 3D printing, we will focus on the material cost and not the printer cost. Modeling 3D objects is also known as "accumulation modeling". Why? This means that you will spend the material used in the modeling and nothing else. 

The raw material is sold by the kilo. Therefore, you must be aware of the weight of the object you want to print and calculate it based on the price of the material used.

HOW MUCH DOES 3D PRINTING COST

According to the Professionals, a kilogram of ABS or PLA plastic filament for printing costs less than 50$.

Using an average of R$ 100 per kilogram, we have an approximate cost of R$ 0.10 per gram. Considering that printed objects are very light (if their interior is hollow), we have a relatively low cost per print.

For other printer models, such as Stereolithography, the cost of raw material is a little higher. The liquid resin sells for approximately US$149 (about R$300) a liter, according to Formlabs - which makes this printer model.

Calculating the cost of Selective Laser Sintering printers is a little more complicated. It depends on several factors, such as the object's size, the material used, the quality of the print, and the production time. In this way, we have a variation that can go from one reality to thousands of reais. Plastics are much cheaper than metals, for example.

Is it more worth investing in national or imported 3D printers?

One of the main doubts of people thinking about purchasing a 3D printer is whether it is worth buying a national or imported product.

You need to understand that products are often similar and of high quality. What will differentiate the two types are the characteristics themselves and not the nationality. There are good and bad printers everywhere.

Due to import costs and taxes, imported models are more expensive. In addition, some lesser-known imported brands have fewer locations available for product maintenance and replacement parts purchase.