1. Cost of 3D printing materials
a) Basic materials
- Plastics (e.g. PLA, ABS):
- Relatively cheap, suitable for hobby projects or prototyping.
- Price: 500–1000 CZK per kilogram.
- Filaments with additives:
- Wood, carbon or metal fibers increase aesthetic or functional value, but also price.
- Price: 1500–4000 CZK per kilogram.
b) Advanced materials
- Engineering plastics (e.g. nylon, PEEK, ULTEM):
- High heat resistance, strength and chemical stability, used in aviation and healthcare.
- Price: 5000–20,000 CZK per kilogram.
- Metal powders (e.g. titanium, stainless steel):
- Used in aviation, healthcare and industrial production, but very expensive.
- Price: 2000–5000 CZK per kilogram for common metals, up to 30,000 CZK for rare alloys.
- Biocompatible materials:
- Specially developed for healthcare, e.g. for implants or prostheses.
- Price: Individually tailored to specifications.
c) Limited availability and quality
- High-quality materials for industrial use must be certified, which further increases their price.
- Specific applications often require highly specialized materials that are expensive and not readily available.
2. Costs of printing technologies
a) Price range of 3D printers
- Desktop printers (prototyping, home use):
- Price: 5,000–50,000 CZK.
- Industrial printers:
- Price: 500,000–5,000,000 CZK.
- High-performance printers (e.g. for metal printing technologies such as SLS or DMLS) can cost more than 10,000,000 CZK.
b) Operating costs
- Printer maintenance:
- Regular calibration, replacement of worn parts (nozzles, print heads).
- Costs: Tens of thousands of crowns per year for industrial equipment.
- Energy:
- Advanced technologies, especially for metal printing, have high energy consumption.
- Software:
- Professional design and printing programs can cost up to several thousand crowns per year for licenses.
3. Comparison of costs of 3D printing and traditional manufacturing
a) Prototyping and low-volume production
- Advantages:
- 3D printing eliminates the need for expensive molds and tools.
- Prototyping costs are usually lower than traditional methods.
- Disadvantages:
- For larger series, 3D printing is still less efficient than traditional manufacturing, especially in terms of time and material.
b) Development costs
- Investment in 3D printers and materials can be high at the beginning, but long-term savings due to flexibility and speed of production can offset this investment.
Conclusion
The cost of materials and technology remains one of the main obstacles to wider adoption of 3D printing, especially in smaller companies and start-ups. However, rapid technological progress, market development and increasing competition are gradually lowering financial barriers. The long-term potential for savings in areas such as prototyping and low-volume production makes 3D printing an increasingly attractive alternative to traditional methods.
