🖨️ Print Parameters
⏱️ ESTIMATED PRINT TIME
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💰 FILAMENT COST
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Print time estimation & filament cost calculator
Print time depends on three main factors: print speed, layer height, and infill density. Doubling layer height roughly halves print time but reduces surface quality. Print speed above 80–100 mm/s on most FDM printers causes ringing artifacts and layer adhesion issues unless you have a well-tuned machine.
Filament cost calculation is straightforward: Cost = (Volume × Density × Price per kg) / 1000. PLA has a density of about 1.24 g/cm³. A 100g print at ₹1800/kg costs roughly ₹180 in filament alone — but this excludes electricity, machine depreciation, and failed prints.
For engineering prototypes, use 3–4 perimeter walls and 30–40% infill for functional parts. Decorative parts can use 2 walls and 15% infill. Structural parts like fixtures and jigs need 5+ walls and 60–80% infill.
| Material | Density | Best Use | Approx Cost/kg |
|---|---|---|---|
| PLA | 1.24 g/cm³ | Prototypes, display | ₹1200–1800 |
| PETG | 1.27 g/cm³ | Functional parts | ₹1800–2500 |
| ABS | 1.10 g/cm³ | Heat-resistant parts | ₹1200–1600 |
| TPU | 1.20 g/cm³ | Flexible, gaskets | ₹2500–4000 |
The biggest cost lever is wall thickness and infill. Going from 4 walls to 2 walls on a non-structural part can reduce material use by 30–40%. Using gyroid or honeycomb infill instead of grid allows lower infill percentages while maintaining good isotropic strength. For cosmetic parts, 10–15% infill with 3 walls is usually sufficient.
Layer height affects both time and strength — thicker layers (0.24–0.28mm) print faster and often have better layer bonding for structural parts. Thinner layers (0.12mm) are only worth it for visual parts where surface finish matters.