{"id":2385,"date":"2023-08-08T09:48:51","date_gmt":"2023-08-08T13:48:51","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/epic\/?page_id=2385"},"modified":"2025-05-29T12:34:03","modified_gmt":"2025-05-29T16:34:03","slug":"estimate","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/epic\/3dp\/estimate\/","title":{"rendered":"Cost Estimate"},"content":{"rendered":"

Estimating the cost of a print is done post slicing. The slicing software takes in your STL (or similar file format) allows you to orient your part, choose your print settings, add supports and export a GCODE file compatible with your 3D Printer. EPIC offers three different brands of printers which use different slicing software packages. Choose a printer type below to learn how to calculate cost estimates.
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Disclaimer: This estimate tool is for raw material costs only, not including other consumables and overhead. Actual cost may vary from these estimates due to changes in print setup. Prints for research labs would multiply this raw estimate by 2.5 for their expense estimate. Prices based on August 2023 data.<\/i>
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SLA Printing with Formlabs Cost Estimates<\/h5>

\nTo estimate costs for SLA prints first slice your parts in their software called Preform – Available for free at formlabs.com\/software<\/a><\/p>\n

Drag and drop your STL, 3MF or OBJ files into Preform. Set the printer type by clicking the “job setup” box in the right-hand menu, select Form3\/3+, choose material and layer thickness and press “Apply.” On the left-hand menu click the top button marked “1-click.” The software will orient and support your part and then estimate how many milliliters (mL) of resin is required. Find the result in the “Summary” pop up at the lower left-hand side under “Volume.” Take this number and plug it into the quantity beside the resin of your choice in the form below to calculate the estimated cost. If you would like to submit a sliced file for printing your .FORM file is required. Please note “1-click” is not always the best orientation to choose, parts may be manually oriented and supported to improve print quality.
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For more information on using Preform checkout Formlab’s Youtube Channel<\/a>, they have posted a wealth of information including this in depth video on printing in soft materials<\/a>.
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