Wenn Sie erforschen Metall 3D -Druck Für Prototyping, Produktion, or specialized projects, Eine der ersten Fragen, die Sie stellen werden, ist: What’s the cost per gram? The answer depends on multiple factors—from material type to production volume—but this guide breaks down the key details to help you calculate and optimize expenses.
1. Cost Per Gram of Mainstream Metal 3D Printing Materials
Der Material is the most direct factor affecting the cost per gram of metal 3D printing. Below is a detailed comparison of common materials, their price ranges, and typical use cases:
| Materialtyp | Gemeinsame Noten | Preisklasse (RMB/Gramm) | Schlüsselmerkmale | Typische Anwendungen |
| Edelstahl | 304, 316L | 0.5 ~ 2 | Kostengünstig, hohe mechanische Stärke | Industrieteile, Werkzeug, Konsumgüter |
| Aluminiumlegierung | Alsi10mg | 1 ~ 3 | Leicht, korrosionsbeständig | Luft- und Raumfahrtkomponenten, Kfz -Teile |
| Titanlegierung | Ti6al4v | 5 ~ 15 | Ultra-Licht, hohe Stärke, Biokompatibel | Medizinische Implantate, Luft- und Raumfahrtkritische Teile |
| Kobalt-Chrom-Legierung | Coucr | 3 ~ 8 | Hohe Härte, Tragenresistent | Zahnkronen, biomedical devices |
| Nickelbasierte Legierung | Inconel 625 | 4 ~ 10 | Hochtemperaturbeständigkeit, korrosionsbeständig | Extreme environment parts (Z.B., Jet -Motoren) |
2. 6 Key Factors That Impact Metal 3D Printing Cost Per Gram
While material cost sets the baseline, other factors can significantly raise or lower the final cost per gram. Let’s break them down with specific examples and comparisons:
(1) Material Quality & Rarity
Not all metal powders are the same. Reinheit, Partikelgröße, Und Produktionsprozess of the powder directly affect the price:
- Standard stainless steel powder (316L) mit 99.5% purity costs ~0.5–2 RMB/gram.
- Rare metals like Hafnium oder rhenium (used in advanced aerospace) kann kosten tens of RMB per gram due to limited supply and complex extraction.
(2) 3D Printing Process Type
Different processes have varying equipment, Wartung, and efficiency costs, which trickle down to the cost per gram:
| Prozessname | Präzisionsniveau | Kostenniveau (vs. Slm) | Am besten für |
| Selektives Laserschmelzen (Slm) | Hoch | 100% (benchmark) | Klein, Hochvorbereitete Teile (Z.B., medizinisch) |
| Elektronenstrahlschmelzen (EBM) | Medium | 80–90 % | Large or complex structures (Z.B., Luft- und Raumfahrt) |
| Bindemittel Jitting | Niedrigmedium | 50–60 % | Hochvolumien, kostengünstige Teile (Z.B., Hardware) |
(3) Teilkomplexität
Complex geometries require more support materials and post-processing, increasing the effective cost per gram:
- A simple block-shaped part (Keine Unterstützung, Minimale Nachbearbeitung) may cost the same as the raw material price (Z.B., 0.5–2 RMB/gram for stainless steel).
- A part with internal channels, dünne Wände (<1mm), or hollow designs can double the cost per gram—due to extra support material waste and 2–3x more post-processing time.
(4) Nachbearbeitungsanforderungen
Metal 3D printed parts rarely come “ready-to-use.” Processes like support removal, Schleifen, und Wärmebehandlung verursachen zusätzliche Kosten:
- Für Teile aus Titanlegierung (Ti6al4v), thermischer Spannungsabbau (ein notwendiger Nachbearbeitungsprozess aus Sicherheitsgründen) kann 20–30 % der Gesamtkosten ausmachen – wodurch sich die effektiven Kosten pro Gramm von 5–15 RMB auf 6–19,5 RMB erhöhen.
- Vereinfachte Nachbearbeitung (Z.B., Überspringen des Polierens für nicht sichtbare Teile) kann die Kosten um 10–15 % senken.
(5) Bestellvolumen
Die Chargengröße hat einen großen Einfluss auf die Kosten pro Gramm, da es die Fixkosten verteilt (Geräteaufbau, Materialverschwendung) über mehrere Teile:
- Kleine Chargen (Dutzende Teile): Höhere Kosten pro Gramm – z.B., Edelstahlteile können 1,5–2 RMB/Gramm kosten (vs. 0.5–1 RMB/gram for large batches).
- Große Chargen (thousands of parts): 30–50% discount on cost per gram. Zum Beispiel, Aluminiumlegierung (Alsi10mg) drops from 2–3 RMB/gram to 1–1.8 RMB/gram.
(6) Supplier & Regional Differences
Domestic and international suppliers have significant price gaps:
- Domestic Chinese suppliers: Typically 30–50% cheaper than European or American suppliers. Zum Beispiel, Titanlegierung (Ti6al4v) costs 5–10 RMB/gram domestically vs. 10–15 RMB/gram overseas.
- Zusätzliche Kosten: International orders may include logistics (5–10% of total cost) and customs duties (3–8 %), further increasing the effective cost per gram.
3. Real-World Cost Examples: 10cm³ Parts
To make the cost per gram more tangible, here’s how much a 10cm³ part (common for small components) costs with different materials:
| Material | Dichte (g/cm³) | Teilegewicht (G) | Kosten pro Gramm (RMB) | Total Part Cost (RMB) |
| Edelstahl 304 | 7.9 | ~79 | 0.5 ~ 2 | 39.5 ~ 158 |
| Aluminiumlegierung Alsi10mg | 2.7 | ~27 | 1 ~ 3 | 27 ~ 81 |
| Titanlegierung ti6al4v | 4.5 | ~ 45 | 5 ~ 15 | 225 ~ 675 |
| Cobalt-Chromium Alloy CoCr | 8.3 | ~83 | 3 ~ 8 | 249 ~ 664 |
4. 5 Practical Tips to Reduce Metal 3D Printing Cost Per Gram
If you want to lower expenses without sacrificing quality, try these strategies:
- Optimize part design: Remove unnecessary complex features (Z.B., oversize internal channels) to cut support material use by 30–40%.
- Choose cost-effective materials: Replace high-cost metals with alternatives when possible—e.g., use stainless steel 316L instead of titanium alloy for non-biomedical, non-aerospace parts.
- Combine orders: Partner with other businesses to pool small orders into a large batch (thousands of parts) and get a 30–50% discount.
- Work with domestic suppliers: Avoid international shipping and duties by choosing local suppliers—saving 30–50% on total costs.
- Simplify post-processing: Skip non-essential steps (Z.B., polishing for internal, non-visible surfaces) to reduce post-processing costs by 10–15%.
Yigu Technology’s Perspective on Metal 3D Printing Cost
Bei Yigu Technology, we’ve observed that material selection and order volume are the two most impactful levers for cost optimization in metal 3D printing. Many clients initially overspecify materials (Z.B., using titanium for non-critical parts) or order small batches, leading to higher costs. Our team works with clients to match materials to actual performance needs—for example, recommending aluminum alloy AlSi10Mg for lightweight automotive parts instead of pricier options—and helps aggregate orders to unlock volume discounts. We also prioritize domestic supply chains, enabling clients to access high-quality metal 3D printing services at 30–40% lower costs than international providers. Während sich die Branche weiterentwickelt, we expect binder jetting technology to drive further cost reductions, making metal 3D printing more accessible for mid-volume production.
FAQ
- Why is titanium alloy 3D printing so expensive per gram?
Titanlegierung (Z.B., Ti6al4v) is expensive because its powder requires high purity (99.8%+), complex production processes (Z.B., gas atomization), and it is biocompatible and high-strength—making it ideal for high-end medical and aerospace applications where performance cannot be compromised.
- Can I get metal 3D printing for less than 1 RMB per gram?
Yes—stainless steel (304, 316L) is the most affordable option, with a cost per gram of 0.5–2 RMB. Für große Chargen (thousands of parts) and simple designs, the effective cost can drop to 0.5–0.8 RMB per gram.
- How much does post-processing add to the cost per gram?
Post-processing typically adds 10–30% to the total cost. Zum Beispiel, titanium parts need thermal stress relief (20–30% of total cost), while stainless steel parts may only need basic support removal (5–10% of total cost). The more complex the post-processing, the higher the effective cost per gram.