Question for 3d hubbers

[curious aardvark]

Currently setting up my hub.
So most people seem to charge by the cubic centimetre.

couple of questions.
1) cubic centimetre of the model (including spaces) or the amount of plastic used ?
2) how do you work this out ?
Simplify3d gives me cost, amount of plastic in grams and length of filament.

I don't honestly think I've ever seen a cm3 setting in anything.

Why is such a bizarre measurement used ?
And how do you work out how much to charge per cm3 ?

It strikes me this setup could have been a helluva lot easier without such a weird way of charging.

[LambdaFF]

Yep, same here.

[curious aardvark]

given that a model could be printed hollow or with any number of shells and % infill.
Surely it would make more sense to charge based on plastic used and time to print ?
The only way i can see to do it is to work out the most it will cost and charge that.

[Sebastian Finke]

Currently setting up my hub.
So most people seem to charge by the cubic centimetre.

couple of questions.
1) cubic centimetre of the model (including spaces) or the amount of plastic used ?
2) how do you work this out ?
Simplify3d gives me cost, amount of plastic in grams and length of filament.

I don't honestly think I've ever seen a cm3 setting in anything.

Why is such a bizarre measurement used ?
And how do you work out how much to charge per cm3 ?

It strikes me this setup could have been a helluva lot easier without such a weird way of charging.

I charge as per solid weight of the model. Since its a business you don't want to sell yourself short. And yes its a silly system.

[Marm]

I made up a couple few general polyhedrons, and then sliced them at various infills. From that, I knew the cm3 and the linear amount of filament used. I averaged out my cost over all the designs, doubled it (I think, maybe tripled), and set that as my cubic cost. I then set a base rate to compensate me for the time.

[curious aardvark]

well I did think a 10mm cube and then slice at 100% infill to see what that would cost.
But in the end I looked at a bunch of other people and went for a sensible average. I can always refine it.
Just got to upload my marvin pic and I'm good to go.

Although what the call for this kind of service is - I have no idea.
I do know I'm currently the only 3d hubs thingy in the burton & swadlincote area.
Hopefully that'll help.

[Sebastian Finke]

Whether nor not you do this for business or pleasure will ultimately decide how you go about deciding your cost. I have a pretty rule when it comes to my fee. YMMV.

[curious aardvark]

And YMMV back atcha - and this means what ?

[Sebastian Finke]

Your Mileage May Vary

[Davo]

Slic3r generates a comment at the end of the gcode, telling you how many cm3 and linear mm of material would be used:

; filament used = 1914.8mm (4.6cm3)

It's the first comment line after the actual custom end of job code.