What does an SLS part really cost? A worked example on the RMS220
An SLS part has no universal unit price: the latest cost configuration for this one-part RMS220 prototype gives an estimate of RMB 283.52 per part, comprising RMB 211.60 in Total Powder Cost and RMB 71.92 in other costs. This figure is based on specified time, powder usage, equipment depreciation, spare parts, electricity, and labor inputs; it is not a measured, complete manufacturing cost or a sales quotation.
The case: a handle prototype for a guidance robot
This example uses the RMS220 and PA NEXT Black V1, as named in the supplied configuration. The configuration covers one handle prototype for a guidance robot. With one part in the configuration and the previously confirmed result of one part printed and one accepted, the estimate is approximately RMB 283.52 per part.
| Input | Value used in this estimate |
|---|---|
| Printer / material configuration | RMS220 / PA NEXT Black V1 |
| Layer Height / part count | 0.12 mm / 1 |
| Atmosphere / Material Refresh Rate | Nitrogen Mode / 20% |
| Material Price per kg | RMB 460/kg |
| Total Powder Weight | 2.296 kg |
| Sintered Powder Weight | 0.110 kg |
| Excess Powder Weight | 0.350 kg |
| Pre-Printing Stage Time — cost input | 0.233 h, approximately 14 min |
| Printing Stage Time — cost input | 2.5 h, or 2 h 30 min |
| Cooling Stage Time — cost input | 0.3 h, or 18 min |
| Time used for cost allocation | 3.033 h, approximately 3 h 2 min; the sum of the three inputs above |
| Labor time / hourly labor rate | 0.5 h / RMB 50 per hour |
The values above are inputs from the updated cost configuration, not a newly exported ideaMaker Print Report. “Time used for cost allocation” is an explanation of the calculator input basis, not an additional ideaMaker field or a substitute for Total Time. The configuration retains the material label PA NEXT Black V1; Raise3D’s public material page is titled PA NEXT Black Powder. These names are not silently substituted for one another.
How is Total Powder Cost calculated? Distinguish Sintered Powder Weight from Excess Powder Weight
Selective laser sintering (SLS) uses a powder bed to sinter models layer by layer. The Total Powder Weight required for a job is not the same as the amount consumed or discarded. Unsintered Powder Weight and Excess Powder Weight are also different fields and must not be used interchangeably.
Excess Powder Cost = Excess Powder Weight × Material Price per kg
Total Powder Cost = Model Cost + Excess Powder Cost
These cost-field names follow the ideaMaker Online Manual. In particular, the manual defines Excess Powder Weight as the amount of old powder that cannot be recycled; it does not define all unsintered powder as waste. [1]
Using the powder weights and material price in the updated configuration:
- Model Cost: 0.110 kg × RMB 460/kg = RMB 50.60.
- Excess Powder Cost: 0.350 kg × RMB 460/kg = RMB 161.00.
- Total Powder Cost: RMB 50.60 + RMB 161.00 = RMB 211.60.
Here, Model Cost is a component of Total Powder Cost. It is not the total cost per part and does not include equipment or labor costs.
Cost breakdown: RMB 283.52 for this one-part estimate
| Cost item | Estimate (RMB) | Calculation basis |
|---|---|---|
| Model Cost | 50.60 | Sintered Powder Weight × Material Price per kg |
| Excess Powder Cost | 161.00 | Excess Powder Weight × Material Price per kg |
| Total Powder Cost | 211.60 | Sum of the two items above; included only once in Total Cost |
| Total Equipment Usage Cost | 38.94 | 269,600 ÷ 5 ÷ 4,200 × 3.033 |
| Total Spare Parts Cost | 3.48 | Nitrogen plus the three other items detailed below; nitrogen is not added again |
| Total Electricity Cost | 4.50 | Sum of power × time × electricity rate for each stage |
| Total Labor Cost | 25.00 | 0.5 h × RMB 50/h |
| Total Cost | 283.52 | Sum of powder, equipment, spare parts, electricity, and labor costs |
Figure: Estimated cost breakdown for the one-part build using the latest configuration, in RMB. Total Powder Cost accounts for 74.63% of Total Cost. Calculations retain full precision before the displayed amounts are rounded.
How are equipment, spare parts, electricity, and labor costs calculated?
Total Equipment Usage Cost is allocated through depreciation. The equipment purchase price entered for this estimate is RMB 269,600, with a depreciation period of five years and annual operating time of 4,200 hours. This gives an hourly depreciation cost of approximately RMB 12.8381. Multiplying that rate by 3.033 hours gives RMB 38.94.
Total Spare Parts Cost includes nitrogen. This configuration uses nitrogen cylinders, with a cost of RMB 200 per cylinder, a cylinder volume of 40 L, a cylinder pressure of 150 bar gauge, and an average nitrogen flow rate of 5 L/h. The supplied calculator uses the following equations:
- Equivalent volume per cylinder = cylinder volume × cylinder pressure ÷ 1.01325.
- Nitrogen volume used for the job = average nitrogen flow rate × 3.033 h.
These equations describe the supplied calculator’s calculation method; they are not presented as an official Raise3D gas-conversion specification or a measured nitrogen-consumption record.
The other items are allocated using unit price × time used for cost allocation ÷ service life. The English component names below retain the supplied ideaMaker report wording: Activated Carbon Boxes, Air Intake Filters, and Exhaust Filters. They are not renamed as cartridges or other component types.
| Item | Configuration and calculated cost |
|---|---|
| Nitrogen | Estimated volume of 15.165 L; approximately RMB 0.5122 |
| Activated Carbon Boxes | Unit price: RMB 500; service life: 1,000 h; allocated cost: approximately RMB 1.5165 |
| Air Intake Filters | Unit price: RMB 65; service life: 1,000 h; allocated cost: approximately RMB 0.1971 |
| Exhaust Filters | Unit price: RMB 415; service life: 1,000 h; allocated cost: approximately RMB 1.2587 |
| Total Spare Parts Cost | RMB 3.48 after summing at full precision and rounding |
Electricity is calculated by stage; labor is calculated from operator time. The electricity rate is RMB 0.75/kWh. The power inputs for the Pre-Printing Stage, Printing Stage, and Cooling Stage are 3, 2, and 1 kW, respectively, with corresponding time inputs of 0.233, 2.5, and 0.3 hours. Total Electricity Cost is therefore:
(3 × 0.233 + 2 × 2.5 + 1 × 0.3) × 0.75 = RMB 4.50, rounded
Total Labor Cost is calculated as 0.5 h × RMB 50/h = RMB 25.00. The time, power, and labor values are configuration inputs; they are not identified here as independently measured production data.
How do build loading and Material Refresh Rate affect cost per part?
More accepted parts in the same build can share some build-level costs. However, dividing RMB 283.52 by an arbitrary number of parts does not produce a reliable new unit cost. Part arrangement, build height, cycle time, powder usage, and yield may all change. Builds containing different models also require a defined, verifiable cost-allocation method.
When Material Refresh Rate changes, Excess Powder Weight must be recalculated. If Total Powder Weight and Material Price per kg remain unchanged, and Material Refresh Rate is greater than Absolute Weight Packing Density, a 10-percentage-point increase in Material Refresh Rate corresponds to an approximate increase in powder cost of:
2.296 kg × 10% × RMB 460/kg ≈ RMB 105.62 per build
This relationship uses the Excess Powder calculation in the ideaMaker Online Manual. Absolute Weight Packing Density refers to Sintered Powder Weight divided by Total Powder Weight; it is not the same as Printing Stage Weight Packing Density. The illustration is not a recommendation to change validated material or process settings. [1]
Frequently asked questions
Can RMB 283.52 be used as the cost of another RMS220 part?
No. It applies only to this one-part handle estimate and its material usage, prices, equipment depreciation, time, and labor inputs. A different part, arrangement, quantity, process, or cost scope requires a new calculation.
Is all unsintered powder charged as waste?
No. Unsintered Powder Weight and Excess Powder Weight are different fields. This calculation uses an Excess Powder Weight of 0.350 kg to determine Excess Powder Cost; it does not treat all powder in the build as waste. [1]
Can a 20% Material Refresh Rate be used for every material and atmosphere?
No. The rate depends on the material and process. Raise3D’s material page lists PA NEXT Black V1.0 as Recommended in Nitrogen Mode with a 20% Refresh Rate, and Printable in Air Mode with a 50% Refresh Rate. Confirm the applicable material version and validated process before use; do not change settings solely to reduce an estimate. [2]
Evaluate your own SLS cost
Provide the Raise3D team with representative parts, target quantities, material, surface requirements, and the intended post-processing workflow. Define which equipment, powder, nitrogen, labor, and inspection costs are included. A reliable comparison uses the same cost scope and either actual build data or clearly identified estimates—not a single-part example presented as a price for every application.
Source
[1]https://www.ideamaker.io/document.html#/documents?id=341
[2]https://www.raise3d.com/materials/pa-next-black-powder
