Introduction: Why Heuristic Pricing is Essential

Pricing 3D prints on a per-gram basis alone is a recipe for losing money. Small, detailed prints require active machine setup, while large prints tie up machines for days. Algorithmic heuristics help bridge this gap to calculate realistic margins.

The Plate Capacity (K-Factor) Heuristic

• What is the K-Factor?: The number of copies of a model that can fit and be printed on a single build plate.
• Capacity Classes:
• Tiny (< 10g): Capacity K = 12 copies.
• Light (< 25g): Capacity K = 8 copies.
• Medium (< 50g): Capacity K = 4 copies.
• Large (< 100g): Capacity K = 2 copies.
• Huge (≥ 100g): Capacity K = 1 copy.

Optimized Print Time Calculations

• Sharing Setup Time: How printing multiple copies on a single run scales print times.
• The Scaling Formula:
• T_plate(n) = T_single (1 + (n-1) 0.8)
• Extra parts on the same plate run 20% faster than the first part because transition and movement paths are consolidated.

Setup Fees and Labor

• Plate Runs and Setup Costs: Why every plate run incurs a setup fee (cleaning the plate, spraying bed adhesive, removing prints).
• Setup Fee Formula: C_setup = max(0, N_runs - 1) * plateFee.

Conclusion

How adjusting these heuristics in your calculator's settings allows you to perfectly match your farm's operating costs and desired profit margin.