1 Topic by tonycstech (edited by tonycstech 2014-09-11 05:38:00)

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Topic: Cost to run filastruder ?

Here is what i have:
filastruder Power Supply 12V 6A
12V*6A=72 watt or 0.072 Kilowatt
Cost per kilowatt in my area is about 7.60 cents
72 hrs to extrude 2LB of PLA.
0.072 kilowatt*72hrs=5.184 kilowatt consumed to produce 2LB of PLA.
5.184 kilowatt cost  almost 40 cents to run the machine
2LB of PLA pellets cost $7.50 + shipping about $5-6 on top.

I am not including the cost on running Filawinder at the same time.

Am i not calculating this right ?


I am no mathematician, so please tell me how i need to calculate this to come up with a reasonable numbers.

I made small application to calculate it. Am not sure its calculating it correct but am sure filastruder team would like the results smile
http://i994.photobucket.com/albums/af64/garbageplace/FORUMS/ACAdapterPCC_zpsc1a71b7b.jpg~original

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2 Reply by elmoret

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Re: Cost to run filastruder ?

Those power calcs are fine. You're not accounting for power supply inefficiency, but you're also not accounting for the fact it doesn't draw 6 amps after initial warmup. This balances out to make your estimate reasonable. FilaWinder costs about $0.01 every 24 hours.

The cost of power is basically negligible, especially at more normal extrusion speeds (not sure why you're going so slow).

Filastruder - the robust, inexpensive filament extruder
E3Dv6 All Metal Hotend - the premier 3D printing hotend

3 Reply by tonycstech

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Re: Cost to run filastruder ?

2-3 inches per minute is normal for PLA, int it ?

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4 Reply by elmoret

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Re: Cost to run filastruder ?

Not at 1.75mm filament. Most users report 6-7"/min. I would say maybe you should try increasing temperature a little, or perhaps there is some problem with your nozzle.

Filastruder - the robust, inexpensive filament extruder
E3Dv6 All Metal Hotend - the premier 3D printing hotend

5 Reply by tonycstech

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Re: Cost to run filastruder ?

Ill have to check. Maybe i am getting 6-7 inches as i reported in my review 3-6 inches. It just seemed very slow after almost 23 inches extruding ABS MG94, that thing was AWESOME.

Anyway.
So the cost of filament (cost to run filastruder is not even worth considering) is nothing more then the cost of getting pellets.
So $7.50+5-6 sipping, about $13-$14 for 2LB of filament.

Ebay now has 2LB PLA for $20 free shipping, thats 6-7 dollars cheaper then do it your self. I would have to extrude around 100 ponds of PLA or 50 spools in order for filastruder to pay for its self.
By that time, cost of running filastruder will add up to (you should consider it now) level making me extrude another maybe 4-6 pounds to compensate for the electricity.

In order to sell colored filament, i have to peletize extruded filament and extrude it again to get perfect color blend. This will increase electricity bill 2 times.
Sell it for $20 and ship it free (pay for shipping my self around 5-6) should make me around 1 dollar in profit AND only if spool was free.

I say...... am not sure what to do, cry or laugh.
Clearly filastruder is not to re-sell, but to make it 30% cheaper and only after you extrude 100 pounds of usable filament.

Am i not calculating it right ? I a only roughly estimating in my head.

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6 Reply by CraigRK

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Re: Cost to run filastruder ?

I don't recall the Filastruder ever being marketed as a tool for commercial filament production.

To me I see it as enabling me to produce cheaper filament in different colours at quantities that I consume rather than having to buy larger spools which sit around for months/years.

Also, given the original competition (which Lyman won) actually mentioned that it would result in the commercial suppliers dropping their prices, so it seems the competition has worked.

Further to the above, given that (to my knowledge and I have not researched again recently), the Filastruder is one of the cheapest extruded kits available, it would be interesting to see you calculations against an extruded that costs 2 or 3 times the price.

Masterbatch, ABS and PLA Pellets available for UK and Europe.
http://www.emakershop.com/Seller=1324

CraigRK's Website

7 Reply by tonycstech

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Re: Cost to run filastruder ?

Agreed.

Question. 12V 6A power supply does not draw 12V from 110v outlet, it draws 110v and converts it to 12v
Do i need to input 110 instead of 12 into my calculator ?
Because when i do, cost to produce 2 LB of PLA is 18 bucks if it takes 72 hrs to do so.

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8 Reply by elmoret

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Re: Cost to run filastruder ?

tonycstech wrote:

Agreed.

Question. 12V 6A power supply does not draw 12V from 110v outlet, it draws 110v and converts it to 12v
Do i need to input 110 instead of 12 into my calculator ?
Because when i do, cost to produce 2 LB of PLA is 18 bucks if it takes 72 hrs to do so.


No. It draws about 0.6A at 110V.

Filastruder - the robust, inexpensive filament extruder
E3Dv6 All Metal Hotend - the premier 3D printing hotend

9 Reply by tonycstech

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Re: Cost to run filastruder ?

So calculating 6A at 12 is same as 0.6A at 120 ?

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10 Reply by elmoret

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Re: Cost to run filastruder ?

Yes.

Filastruder - the robust, inexpensive filament extruder
E3Dv6 All Metal Hotend - the premier 3D printing hotend