The cost of 3D printing will increase on September 2. We will be moving from an hourly pricing rate to a weight-based pricing rate. This price rate will apply at all four Dal Libraries that have a 3D printer, the Kellogg Health Sciences Library, the Killam Library, the MacRae Library, and the Sexton Library.

The price will increase from $1 per hour to 8¢ per gram. While it is difficult to directly compare an hourly price rate with a weight-based price rate, in most cases, this will result in a price increase per 3D printed model.

Although this is a price increase, we continue to keep the costs as low as possible, charging just enough so that we can recover the cost of materials. We maintain our goal of making the 3D printer as accessible as possible for everyone to use.

We are moving to this weight-based pricing model for a number of reasons:

• We need to more accurately recover the cost of materials for each model printed. The hourly pricing rate was introduced with the original 3D printer two years ago. We’ve since upgraded the printers and the newer printers can print models faster while using the same amount of PLA plastic.
• This pricing model is more fair because the time that each printer can take to print a model can vary (we have 3D printers at four Dal Libraries).
• We need to factor in cost not just for the PLA plastic in each model, but also for the inevitable wastage. Often we have to print a number of models for success, and we don’t charge individuals for failed models.

More information about 3D printing is available on our website.

Small model weighing 25 grams at ten per cent fill will cost $2 with the new weight-based price structure. (Model was $1.50 under the hourly price structure.)

Average-sized model weighing 50 grams at ten per cent fill will cost $4 with the new weight-based price structure. (Model was $3 under the hourly price structure.)

Large model weighing 100 grams at ten per cent fill will cost $8 with the new weight-based price structure. (Model was $6.50 under the hourly price structure.)