Calculate 3D-printing build cost from layers and volume.
An additively manufactured part costs its build time on the printer plus its material. ARCNM computes build time from the part's envelope and volume. This works for laser powder-bed fusion, also called LPBF or DMLS, and for industrial FDM. ARCNM prices the build on your printer class. Run the same STEP file in a machining environment as well. The lot-size curves then show where printing stops being the cheaper route.
At a glance
- Inputs
- STEP model; PDF drawing optional (fits to be machined, treatments)
- Machine classes
- laser powder-bed fusion (LPBF / DMLS) · industrial FDM — the printer classes of your fleet
- Standards applied
- DIN 8580
- DfM checks
- thin wall, undercut (advisory for post-machining)
- You get
- build time and material per part, cost per part at the printer's hour rate, lot-size curve to set against a machining environment
What do you get for a printed part?
You get the build time on your printer. A taller part means more layers, a bigger part more volume, and both cost time. The material comes from the part volume, with its allowance for supports and powder. You see the unit cost at every lot size. Your own printer's parameters take over as soon as you enter them. Every line on the cost sheet names where it came from.
Which additive processes are covered?
ARCNM covers laser powder-bed fusion for metals and industrial fused-deposition modelling for polymers. Each is a machine class with its own rate. Support structures and powder losses are priced into the material per printer class. Post-machining of printed parts is added from the drawing as subcontract steps.
Printing or machining?
ARCNM answers per lot size. Printing carries almost no setup, so it wins at one-offs and complex internal geometry. Machining wins once volume amortises setup. Cost both environments on the same part. Then compare the two lot-size curves line by line: material, machine time, post-processing. That shows where they cross.
LPBF, FDM or machining — where each wins
| LPBF (metal) | Industrial FDM (polymer) | CNC machining | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Setup per lot | near zero — plate and file | near zero | fixture, program, first piece |
| What drives the time | part height and scanned volume | part volume | removed volume and setups |
| Geometry | internal channels, lattices, one-offs | housings, jigs, prototypes | tight tolerances, fine finish |
| Post-processing | support removal, stress relief, machining of fits | support removal | deburr, treatments from the drawing |
| Crossover | wins for one-offs, small lots and complex internals | wins for prototypes | wins once volume amortises setup |
Read on
Frequently asked questions
How much does metal 3D printing cost per part?
It depends on the build time, the material and the printer's rate. ARCNM prices it when your fleet includes an LPBF printer class. It computes the build time from the part's height and volume. It derives the material from the part volume. Then it applies the printer's machine-hour rate.
Can I compare 3D printing with CNC machining for the same part?
Yes. Run the part in both environments. Each keeps its own lot-size curve and cost lines, and you compare them side by side.