Minimizing Cost

Tips to Minimize 3D Printing Costs:

Send smaller models.

Consider a different scale that will work equally well to convey your design or print only portions of your overall design.

Hollow-out solids.

Users are charged based on the total volume of the 3D model; if a volume can be conveyed as thickened walls rather than a complete solid, create as much interior space as possible without structurally compromising its integrity. Keep in mind that you may still have to pay for support material to fill this void, but support material is significantly cheaper than model material, in general.

3D print only what you can’t build another way.

To support academic interest in complex geometries, the Fabrication Lab charges for material use associated with the printing process only; maintenance and staffing are not included in the cost of models.

Observe minimums.

Do not send files whose features exceed the minimum recommended dimensions. Both money and time are wasted when models are too fragile to be removed without breaking.