The decision workbench

Buy vs Outsource Calculator

Test whether ownership makes economic sense before requesting capital: compare buying with outsourcing for one laser powder bed fusion (LPBF) part, using your own quotes and production plan.

Model buy-versus-outsource economics, utilization, capacity, financing, breakeven and sensitivity using your own assumptions. A decision aid, not financial advice.

New to metal 3D printing? Read the 5-minute guide →

No machine or powder price is assumed. Unknown inputs stay blank.

How much detail do you want?

Guided starts with the essentials. Detailed reveals extra planning assumptions.

Start with what you know. You do not need every number to begin. About 4–6 essential questions to get started.

What do I need?

A current machine quote, annual finished-part demand, a representative part measurement, operating quotes and a comparable supplier price. Use “See a completed example” if you want to see the flow first.

Working currency

No exchange-rate conversion is performed. Use one currency consistently throughout this calculation.

What are you trying to compare?

Choose the path that best matches where you are today.

I’m considering buying a specific machine I’m exploring whether buying any machine could make sense

Step 1 of 4

Start with the machine.

A current delivered quote is the foundation of the comparison.

What machine are you considering?

Selection is context only. It does not fill a price, build rate or qualification.

What is the all-in machine quote? REQUIRED FOR RESULT

USD / machine · working currency

Example: a delivered quote of 750000 includes installation and training.

What does this mean?

Use a current quote including installation, training and equipment needed to operate. This is the investment for each machine.

Where do I find it?

Your machine manufacturer or distributor quote.

Example

Example: a delivered quote of 750000 includes installation and training.

Why does it matter?

It is needed to produce a comparison.

UNKNOWN ALLOWED: If you do not know this yet, leave it blank; the calculator will identify it as required.

Use a current quote including installation, training and equipment needed to operate. This is the investment for each machine. If you do not know this yet, leave it blank; the calculator will identify it as required.

No quote yet? Request an all-in supplier quote. Public contract evidence is context, never a retail price.

How will you buy it?

Compare a cash purchase. Change this to model a loan.

Down payment for each machine OPTIONAL

USD / machine · working currency

Example: enter 150000 as the down payment per machine.

What does this mean?

Cash paid at the start for each machine. Cannot exceed its all-in quote.

Where do I find it?

Your financing proposal or the amount your business plans to pay upfront.

Example

Example: enter 150000 as the down payment per machine.

Why does it matter?

It helps make the comparison more representative.

UNKNOWN ALLOWED: If you do not know this yet, leave the stated assumption only when that cost is intentionally excluded.

Cash paid at the start for each machine. Cannot exceed its all-in quote. If you do not know this yet, leave the stated assumption only when that cost is intentionally excluded.

Annual loan interest rate REQUIRED FOR RESULT

% nominal APR

Example: enter 8 for an 8% nominal APR.

What does this mean?

Nominal APR for a monthly amortizing loan. Fees must be accounted for in your quoted investment.

Where do I find it?

Your lender, equipment-financing quote, bank term sheet or financing proposal.

Example

Example: enter 8 for an 8% nominal APR.

Why does it matter?

It is needed to produce a comparison.

UNKNOWN ALLOWED: If you do not know this yet, leave it blank; the calculator will identify it as required.

Nominal APR for a monthly amortizing loan. Fees must be accounted for in your quoted investment. If you do not know this yet, leave it blank; the calculator will identify it as required.

How long is the loan? REQUIRED FOR RESULT

years

Example: enter 7 for a seven-year loan.

What does this mean?

Remaining debt is settled at the comparison end, even if the loan lasts longer.

Where do I find it?

Your lender or equipment-financing agreement.

Example

Example: enter 7 for a seven-year loan.

Why does it matter?

It is needed to produce a comparison.

UNKNOWN ALLOWED: If you do not know this yet, leave it blank; the calculator will identify it as required.

Remaining debt is settled at the comparison end, even if the loan lasts longer. If you do not know this yet, leave it blank; the calculator will identify it as required.

How many years are you comparing? OPTIONAL

years; no automatic replacement

Example: compare five years by entering 5.

What does this mean?

Both options use this period. Keep it within useful life; replacement machines are not modeled.

Where do I find it?

Your business planning period, agreed with the person approving the investment.

Example

Example: compare five years by entering 5.

Why does it matter?

It helps make the comparison more representative.

UNKNOWN ALLOWED: If you do not know this yet, leave the stated assumption only when that cost is intentionally excluded.

Both options use this period. Keep it within useful life; replacement machines are not modeled. If you do not know this yet, leave the stated assumption only when that cost is intentionally excluded.

Planning assumptions

How much do you discount future costs? REQUIRED FOR RESULT

% per year

Example: enter 10 for a 10% planning discount rate.

What does this mean?

Translates future spending into today’s money. Use your company’s planning rate, not a presumed industry standard.

Where do I find it?

Your finance team or approved investment-appraisal policy.

Example

Example: enter 10 for a 10% planning discount rate.

Why does it matter?

It is needed to produce a comparison.

UNKNOWN ALLOWED: If you do not know this yet, leave it blank; the calculator will identify it as required.

Translates future spending into today’s money. Use your company’s planning rate, not a presumed industry standard. If you do not know this yet, leave it blank; the calculator will identify it as required.

Useful life for accounting OPTIONAL

years

Example: use 7 years if that is your accounting life.

What does this mean?

Spreads the depreciable investment across years in the accounting view. It does not change the cash purchase.

Where do I find it?

Your accountant or internal equipment-depreciation policy.

Example

Example: use 7 years if that is your accounting life.

Why does it matter?

It helps make the comparison more representative.

UNKNOWN ALLOWED: If you do not know this yet, leave the stated assumption only when that cost is intentionally excluded.

Spreads the depreciable investment across years in the accounting view. It does not change the cash purchase. If you do not know this yet, leave the stated assumption only when that cost is intentionally excluded.

Value left at the end of useful life OPTIONAL

USD / machine; accounting only · working currency

Example: enter 100000 if you have a documented end-of-life estimate.

What does this mean?

Used only for depreciation. This is separate from cash received on a sale at the end of your planning period.

Where do I find it?

Your accountant and a documented end-of-life resale estimate.

Example

Example: enter 100000 if you have a documented end-of-life estimate.

Why does it matter?

It helps make the comparison more representative.

UNKNOWN ALLOWED: If you do not know this yet, leave the stated assumption only when that cost is intentionally excluded.

Used only for depreciation. This is separate from cash received on a sale at the end of your planning period. If you do not know this yet, leave the stated assumption only when that cost is intentionally excluded.

Expected resale at your planning end OPTIONAL

USD / machine; explicit estimate · working currency

Example: enter 150000 if your planning case includes an explicit resale estimate.

What does this mean?

A cash inflow at the end of the comparison. Use an explicit estimate; this can materially affect the result.

Where do I find it?

A documented resale estimate for the end of your chosen planning period.

Example

Example: enter 150000 if your planning case includes an explicit resale estimate.

Why does it matter?

It helps make the comparison more representative.

UNKNOWN ALLOWED: If you do not know this yet, leave the stated assumption only when that cost is intentionally excluded.

A cash inflow at the end of the comparison. Use an explicit estimate; this can materially affect the result. If you do not know this yet, leave the stated assumption only when that cost is intentionally excluded.

Step 2 of 4

Define your production plan.

Use one representative part and its qualified process.

How many finished, acceptable parts do you need each year? REQUIRED FOR RESULT

parts / year

Example: 100 parts per month is 1200 parts per year.

What does this mean?

Accepted parts, after rejects. The same quantity is compared with outsourcing.

Where do I find it?

Your production forecast, customer demand, purchasing plan or historical annual usage.

Example

Example: 100 parts per month is 1200 parts per year.

Why does it matter?

It is needed to produce a comparison.

UNKNOWN ALLOWED: If you do not know this yet, leave it blank; the calculator will identify it as required.

Accepted parts, after rejects. The same quantity is compared with outsourcing. If you do not know this yet, leave it blank; the calculator will identify it as required.

What material are you using?

Material selection does not establish machine compatibility or fill a density.

How much solid metal is in one part? REQUIRED FOR RESULT

cm³ / part

Example: use finished solid volume from CAD, such as 15 cm³.

What does this mean?

Use finished solid volume from your CAD model. This affects build time and the minimum solid metal mass.

Where do I find it?

Ask the design engineer for solid-part volume from the CAD model, in cm³.

Example

Example: use finished solid volume from CAD, such as 15 cm³.

Why does it matter?

It is needed to produce a comparison.

UNKNOWN ALLOWED: If you do not know this yet, leave it blank; the calculator will identify it as required.

Use finished solid volume from your CAD model. This affects build time and the minimum solid metal mass. If you do not know this yet, leave it blank; the calculator will identify it as required.

What is the alloy density? REQUIRED FOR RESULT

g / cm³

Example: use the material datasheet value, such as 7.9 g/cm³.

What does this mean?

Use a datasheet for the actual alloy. A similar metal’s density is not a substitute.

Where do I find it?

The material supplier’s datasheet for the exact alloy.

Example

Example: use the material datasheet value, such as 7.9 g/cm³.

Why does it matter?

It is needed to produce a comparison.

UNKNOWN ALLOWED: If you do not know this yet, leave it blank; the calculator will identify it as required.

Use a datasheet for the actual alloy. A similar metal’s density is not a substitute. If you do not know this yet, leave it blank; the calculator will identify it as required.

How often will the machine be scheduled?

These are user-selected schedule scenarios, not industry utilization facts. Adjust exact hours for your operation; downtime is deducted separately.

Scheduled printing hours per year REQUIRED FOR RESULT

hours / machine / year

Example: one 8-hour shift, five days a week is about 2080 hours before downtime.

What does this mean?

Hours before the downtime deductions below. Select a stated schedule or enter your own hours.

Where do I find it?

Your shop’s shift calendar; exclude holidays and unscheduled days.

Example

Example: one 8-hour shift, five days a week is about 2080 hours before downtime.

Why does it matter?

It is needed to produce a comparison.

UNKNOWN ALLOWED: If you do not know this yet, leave it blank; the calculator will identify it as required.

Hours before the downtime deductions below. Select a stated schedule or enter your own hours. If you do not know this yet, leave it blank; the calculator will identify it as required.

Build time and rejected production

How many parts fit in one build? REQUIRED FOR RESULT

parts

Example: enter 20 if your qualified layout fits 20 parts.

What does this mean?

Your qualified build layout. Shares setup and other build time across parts.

Where do I find it?

A supplier-approved build layout for your representative part.

Example

Example: enter 20 if your qualified layout fits 20 parts.

Why does it matter?

It is needed to produce a comparison.

UNKNOWN ALLOWED: If you do not know this yet, leave it blank; the calculator will identify it as required.

Your qualified build layout. Shares setup and other build time across parts. If you do not know this yet, leave it blank; the calculator will identify it as required.

How fast does your qualified process build? REQUIRED FOR RESULT

cm³ / hour

Example: enter a supplier-supported effective rate such as 30 cm³/hour.

What does this mean?

Effective deposited volume per hour for this part and process. Use measured or supplier-supported data, not laser power.

Where do I find it?

A measured production record, validated simulation or supplier process estimate for your specific part.

Example

Example: enter a supplier-supported effective rate such as 30 cm³/hour.

Why does it matter?

It is needed to produce a comparison.

UNKNOWN ALLOWED: If you do not know this yet, leave it blank; the calculator will identify it as required.

Effective deposited volume per hour for this part and process. Use measured or supplier-supported data, not laser power. If you do not know this yet, leave it blank; the calculator will identify it as required.

Other machine time for each build OPTIONAL

hours / build

Example: enter 2 hours if each build needs two hours beyond deposition.

What does this mean?

Machine time beyond deposition, such as setup or cooling. Divided across parts in each build.

Where do I find it?

A timed build record or supplier estimate of non-deposition machine hours per build.

Example

Example: enter 2 hours if each build needs two hours beyond deposition.

Why does it matter?

It helps make the comparison more representative.

UNKNOWN ALLOWED: If you do not know this yet, leave the stated assumption only when that cost is intentionally excluded.

Machine time beyond deposition, such as setup or cooling. Divided across parts in each build. If you do not know this yet, leave the stated assumption only when that cost is intentionally excluded.

What percentage of production is rejected? REQUIRED FOR RESULT

Example: enter 5 for a measured 5% rejected production rate.

What does this mean?

Increases attempted production, build time and variable costs. Use your process evidence.

Where do I find it?

Accepted and rejected part counts from representative production trials.

Example

Example: enter 5 for a measured 5% rejected production rate.

Why does it matter?

It is needed to produce a comparison.

UNKNOWN ALLOWED: If you do not know this yet, leave it blank; the calculator will identify it as required.

Increases attempted production, build time and variable costs. Use your process evidence. If you do not know this yet, leave it blank; the calculator will identify it as required.

Scheduled time lost to planned downtime REQUIRED FOR RESULT

% of scheduled hours

Example: enter 10 for 10% planned downtime.

What does this mean?

Deducted as a percentage of scheduled hours. Do not include the same downtime twice.

Where do I find it?

Your production and maintenance plan or a representative operating record.

Example

Example: enter 10 for 10% planned downtime.

Why does it matter?

It is needed to produce a comparison.

UNKNOWN ALLOWED: If you do not know this yet, leave it blank; the calculator will identify it as required.

Deducted as a percentage of scheduled hours. Do not include the same downtime twice. If you do not know this yet, leave it blank; the calculator will identify it as required.

Extra downtime not counted above OPTIONAL

hours / machine / year

Example: enter 120 for 120 additional maintenance hours per year.

What does this mean?

Additional hours removed after planned downtime. Leave zero only if already included or intentionally excluded.

Where do I find it?

Your maintenance schedule, counting only hours not already included in downtime.

Example

Example: enter 120 for 120 additional maintenance hours per year.

Why does it matter?

It helps make the comparison more representative.

UNKNOWN ALLOWED: If you do not know this yet, leave the stated assumption only when that cost is intentionally excluded.

Additional hours removed after planned downtime. Leave zero only if already included or intentionally excluded. If you do not know this yet, leave the stated assumption only when that cost is intentionally excluded.

How much lower is demand in year one? OPTIONAL

Example: enter 20 if year-one demand is expected to be 20% lower.

What does this mean?

Reduces demand once in the first year for both options. It does not reduce machine capacity a second time.

Where do I find it?

Your first-year production forecast compared with the steady annual plan.

Example

Example: enter 20 if year-one demand is expected to be 20% lower.

Why does it matter?

It helps make the comparison more representative.

UNKNOWN ALLOWED: If you do not know this yet, leave the stated assumption only when that cost is intentionally excluded.

Reduces demand once in the first year for both options. It does not reduce machine capacity a second time. If you do not know this yet, leave the stated assumption only when that cost is intentionally excluded.

Step 3 of 4

Count the complete operating cost.

Leave an unknown blank. We’ll identify what you need before showing a result.

Who will operate the machine?

Your choice describes staffing; it never makes labor free. Separate hands-on tasks from annual monitoring coverage.

Hands-on work for each attempted part REQUIRED FOR RESULT

hours; excludes salaried watch coverage

Example: enter 0.4 hours of hands-on work per attempted part.

What does this mean?

Hands-on task hours, separate from paid operator coverage. Do not count the same labor in both.

Where do I find it?

A timed work study of the hands-on tasks for one attempted part.

Example

Example: enter 0.4 hours of hands-on work per attempted part.

Why does it matter?

It is needed to produce a comparison.

UNKNOWN ALLOWED: If you do not know this yet, leave it blank; the calculator will identify it as required.

Hands-on task hours, separate from paid operator coverage. Do not count the same labor in both. If you do not know this yet, leave it blank; the calculator will identify it as required.

Loaded hourly labor cost REQUIRED FOR RESULT

USD / hour · working currency

Example: enter 42 for a loaded operator rate of 42 per hour.

What does this mean?

Include employer costs in the hourly rate. Applied to hands-on task hours.

Where do I find it?

Your internal loaded labor-cost estimate.

Example

Example: enter 42 for a loaded operator rate of 42 per hour.

Why does it matter?

It is needed to produce a comparison.

UNKNOWN ALLOWED: If you do not know this yet, leave it blank; the calculator will identify it as required.

Include employer costs in the hourly rate. Applied to hands-on task hours. If you do not know this yet, leave it blank; the calculator will identify it as required.

Annual operator coverage for the whole fleet REQUIRED FOR RESULT

USD / year, excludes task labor · working currency

Example: enter 75000 for annual monitoring coverage across the fleet.

What does this mean?

Salaried monitoring or coverage that is not in hands-on task labor. Existing staff time is not automatically free.

Where do I find it?

Your staffing budget for annual coverage; exclude labor already counted as hands-on tasks.

Example

Example: enter 75000 for annual monitoring coverage across the fleet.

Why does it matter?

It is needed to produce a comparison.

UNKNOWN ALLOWED: If you do not know this yet, leave it blank; the calculator will identify it as required.

Salaried monitoring or coverage that is not in hands-on task labor. Existing staff time is not automatically free. If you do not know this yet, leave it blank; the calculator will identify it as required.

Do you know the service cost?

Included sets an explicit zero service assumption. Check the quote’s coverage period and any exclusions.

Annual service cost for each machine REQUIRED FOR RESULT

USD / machine / year · working currency

Example: enter 35000 for an annual service quote.

What does this mean?

Use an annual quote. Enter zero only when service is included for the full modeled period or intentionally excluded.

Where do I find it?

Your OEM, distributor or maintenance-contract quote.

Example

Example: enter 35000 for an annual service quote.

Why does it matter?

It is needed to produce a comparison.

UNKNOWN ALLOWED: If you do not know this yet, leave it blank; the calculator will identify it as required.

Use an annual quote. Enter zero only when service is included for the full modeled period or intentionally excluded. If you do not know this yet, leave it blank; the calculator will identify it as required.

Annual facility cost for the whole fleet REQUIRED FOR RESULT

USD / year, whole fleet · working currency

Example: enter 15000 for the annual shared facility cost assigned to this plan.

What does this mean?

Rent, infrastructure and shared operating overhead attributable to this plan. Must cover the entire required fleet.

Where do I find it?

Your internal annual facility-cost estimate or allocated occupancy cost.

Example

Example: enter 15000 for the annual shared facility cost assigned to this plan.

Why does it matter?

It is needed to produce a comparison.

UNKNOWN ALLOWED: If you do not know this yet, leave it blank; the calculator will identify it as required.

Rent, infrastructure and shared operating overhead attributable to this plan. Must cover the entire required fleet. If you do not know this yet, leave it blank; the calculator will identify it as required.

What do you pay for powder? REQUIRED FOR RESULT

USD / kg · working currency

Example: enter 120 for a supplier quote of 120 per kg in your selected currency.

What does this mean?

Use a current supplier quote per kilogram in your selected working currency. No market powder price is assumed.

Where do I find it?

A current material-supplier quote.

Example

Example: enter 120 for a supplier quote of 120 per kg in your selected currency.

Why does it matter?

It is needed to produce a comparison.

UNKNOWN ALLOWED: If you do not know this yet, leave it blank; the calculator will identify it as required.

Use a current supplier quote per kilogram in your selected working currency. No market powder price is assumed. If you do not know this yet, leave it blank; the calculator will identify it as required.

Fresh powder used for one attempted part REQUIRED FOR RESULT

kg / part, including supports and losses

Example: enter 0.16 kg if that is your measured fresh powder per attempted part.

What does this mean?

Include supports and unrecovered losses. Cannot be less than the solid mass of the part.

Where do I find it?

A representative build’s purchased-powder consumption, divided by attempted parts.

Example

Example: enter 0.16 kg if that is your measured fresh powder per attempted part.

Why does it matter?

It is needed to produce a comparison.

UNKNOWN ALLOWED: If you do not know this yet, leave it blank; the calculator will identify it as required.

Include supports and unrecovered losses. Cannot be less than the solid mass of the part. If you do not know this yet, leave it blank; the calculator will identify it as required.

What happens after printing?

How do you want to enter finishing costs?

Include the complete route to an accepted part. These costs are per attempted part; the model then allows for rejects.

Finishing and inspection for one attempted part REQUIRED FOR RESULT

USD / attempted part · working currency

Example: enter 40 per attempted part for the complete finishing and inspection route.

What does this mean?

The complete route to an accepted part. Rejection adjustment applies to these costs too.

Where do I find it?

A supplier quote or your internal finishing-cost estimate.

Example

Example: enter 40 per attempted part for the complete finishing and inspection route.

Why does it matter?

It is needed to produce a comparison.

UNKNOWN ALLOWED: If you do not know this yet, leave it blank; the calculator will identify it as required.

The complete route to an accepted part. Rejection adjustment applies to these costs too. If you do not know this yet, leave it blank; the calculator will identify it as required.

Gas, electricity and other overhead

Gas used while printing REQUIRED FOR RESULT

litres / minute

Example: enter 8 litres/minute from the machine or process documentation.

What does this mean?

Use process consumption in litres per minute. This contributes to cost for each printing hour.

Where do I find it?

A measured process record or machine supplier’s consumption estimate in litres per minute.

Example

Example: enter 8 litres/minute from the machine or process documentation.

Why does it matter?

It is needed to produce a comparison.

UNKNOWN ALLOWED: If you do not know this yet, leave it blank; the calculator will identify it as required.

Use process consumption in litres per minute. This contributes to cost for each printing hour. If you do not know this yet, leave it blank; the calculator will identify it as required.

What do you pay for gas? REQUIRED FOR RESULT

USD / litre · working currency

Example: enter 0.0012 per litre from your gas quote.

What does this mean?

Convert your gas quote to per litre in your selected working currency. Use zero only if intentionally included elsewhere.

Where do I find it?

Your gas supplier’s quote or invoice, expressed per litre.

Example

Example: enter 0.0012 per litre from your gas quote.

Why does it matter?

It is needed to produce a comparison.

UNKNOWN ALLOWED: If you do not know this yet, leave it blank; the calculator will identify it as required.

Convert your gas quote to per litre in your selected working currency. Use zero only if intentionally included elsewhere. If you do not know this yet, leave it blank; the calculator will identify it as required.

Typical power while printing REQUIRED FOR RESULT

kW, not electrical maximum

Example: enter typical operating power such as 2.4 kW, not maximum supply.

What does this mean?

Use typical operating kW for the whole machine, not maximum electrical capacity or laser watts.

Where do I find it?

Metered typical operating demand or a supplier-confirmed typical value in kW.

Example

Example: enter typical operating power such as 2.4 kW, not maximum supply.

Why does it matter?

It is needed to produce a comparison.

UNKNOWN ALLOWED: If you do not know this yet, leave it blank; the calculator will identify it as required.

Use typical operating kW for the whole machine, not maximum electrical capacity or laser watts. If you do not know this yet, leave it blank; the calculator will identify it as required.

Your electricity price REQUIRED FOR RESULT

USD / kWh · working currency

Example: enter 0.16 per kWh from your utility tariff.

What does this mean?

Use the applicable per-kWh tariff in your selected working currency. Multiplied by power and build time.

Where do I find it?

Your utility rate or internal energy-cost estimate.

Example

Example: enter 0.16 per kWh from your utility tariff.

Why does it matter?

It is needed to produce a comparison.

UNKNOWN ALLOWED: If you do not know this yet, leave it blank; the calculator will identify it as required.

Use the applicable per-kWh tariff in your selected working currency. Multiplied by power and build time. If you do not know this yet, leave it blank; the calculator will identify it as required.

Other supplies for each attempted part OPTIONAL

USD / attempted part · working currency

Example: enter 5 per attempted part for plates and filters not counted elsewhere.

What does this mean?

Allocate filters, plates and other supplies here only if not included elsewhere.

Where do I find it?

Your purchasing records or supplier consumables plan, allocated per attempted part.

Example

Example: enter 5 per attempted part for plates and filters not counted elsewhere.

Why does it matter?

It helps make the comparison more representative.

UNKNOWN ALLOWED: If you do not know this yet, leave the stated assumption only when that cost is intentionally excluded.

Allocate filters, plates and other supplies here only if not included elsewhere. If you do not know this yet, leave the stated assumption only when that cost is intentionally excluded.

Annual insurance for each machine OPTIONAL

USD / machine / year · working currency

Example: enter 4000 for annual insurance per machine.

What does this mean?

Per-machine annual cost. Scales with the number of machines needed.

Where do I find it?

Your insurer’s annual quote for each machine.

Example

Example: enter 4000 for annual insurance per machine.

Why does it matter?

It helps make the comparison more representative.

UNKNOWN ALLOWED: If you do not know this yet, leave the stated assumption only when that cost is intentionally excluded.

Per-machine annual cost. Scales with the number of machines needed. If you do not know this yet, leave the stated assumption only when that cost is intentionally excluded.

Annual software for each machine OPTIONAL

USD / machine / year · working currency

Example: enter 5000 for annual software per machine.

What does this mean?

Per-machine annual software cost. Scales with the required fleet.

Where do I find it?

Your software supplier’s annual licensing quote for each machine.

Example

Example: enter 5000 for annual software per machine.

Why does it matter?

It helps make the comparison more representative.

UNKNOWN ALLOWED: If you do not know this yet, leave the stated assumption only when that cost is intentionally excluded.

Per-machine annual software cost. Scales with the required fleet. If you do not know this yet, leave the stated assumption only when that cost is intentionally excluded.

Annual quality overhead for the whole fleet OPTIONAL

USD / year · working currency

Example: enter 5000 for annual quality overhead for the whole fleet.

What does this mean?

Shared quality and qualification overhead not counted in per-part inspection. Must cover the whole fleet.

Where do I find it?

Your quality team’s annual overhead budget for this production plan.

Example

Example: enter 5000 for annual quality overhead for the whole fleet.

Why does it matter?

It helps make the comparison more representative.

UNKNOWN ALLOWED: If you do not know this yet, leave the stated assumption only when that cost is intentionally excluded.

Shared quality and qualification overhead not counted in per-part inspection. Must cover the whole fleet. If you do not know this yet, leave the stated assumption only when that cost is intentionally excluded.

Step 4 of 4

Compare the outsourcing alternative.

Use a quote for the same good part, finishing, inspection and delivery scope. A median of comparable quotes can reduce reliance on a single offer.

What does a supplier charge for one finished acceptable part? REQUIRED FOR RESULT

USD / part · working currency

Example: a 4250 quote for 10 finished parts is 425 per part.

What does this mean?

Compare the same accepted, finished and inspected part. Consider the median of comparable current quotes.

Where do I find it?

A recent service-bureau or supplier quote for an equivalent finished part.

Example

Example: a 4250 quote for 10 finished parts is 425 per part.

Why does it matter?

It is needed to produce a comparison.

UNKNOWN ALLOWED: If you do not know this yet, leave it blank; the calculator will identify it as required.

Compare the same accepted, finished and inspected part. Consider the median of comparable current quotes. If you do not know this yet, leave it blank; the calculator will identify it as required.

One-time supplier setup or tooling OPTIONAL

USD, paid at start · working currency

Example: enter 1500 for one-time tooling or supplier setup.

What does this mean?

Paid once at the start, not once per year. Use zero only if none or already included.

Where do I find it?

The one-time setup or tooling line on the supplier’s quote.

Example

Example: enter 1500 for one-time tooling or supplier setup.

Why does it matter?

It helps make the comparison more representative.

UNKNOWN ALLOWED: If you do not know this yet, leave the stated assumption only when that cost is intentionally excluded.

Paid once at the start, not once per year. Use zero only if none or already included. If you do not know this yet, leave the stated assumption only when that cost is intentionally excluded.

Delivery and quoted extras

Delivery cost per good part OPTIONAL

USD / part; zero if included · working currency

Example: enter 5 per part if delivery is quoted separately.

What does this mean?

Enter zero only if delivery is already included or intentionally excluded.

Where do I find it?

The supplier’s delivered-part quote or your carrier’s charge per accepted part.

Example

Example: enter 5 per part if delivery is quoted separately.

Why does it matter?

It helps make the comparison more representative.

UNKNOWN ALLOWED: If you do not know this yet, leave the stated assumption only when that cost is intentionally excluded.

Enter zero only if delivery is already included or intentionally excluded. If you do not know this yet, leave the stated assumption only when that cost is intentionally excluded.

Extra scrap surcharge in the quote OPTIONAL

%; zero if included

Example: enter 2.5 for a 2.5% quoted surcharge.

What does this mean?

Use zero when the accepted-part price already covers scrap. Avoid charging the same cost twice.

Where do I find it?

The comparable supplier quote; confirm whether scrap is already included.

Example

Example: enter 2.5 for a 2.5% quoted surcharge.

Why does it matter?

It helps make the comparison more representative.

UNKNOWN ALLOWED: If you do not know this yet, leave the stated assumption only when that cost is intentionally excluded.

Use zero when the accepted-part price already covers scrap. Avoid charging the same cost twice. If you do not know this yet, leave the stated assumption only when that cost is intentionally excluded.

Review technical fit and assumptions

I checked part fit, orientation, supports and finishing with my supplier.I confirmed the exact LPBF machine, alloy and qualified process combination.I reviewed all assumptions and intentional zero costs. Hands-on labor and annual coverage do not overlap. Shared overhead covers the whole required fleet.

For the illustrative example only, these checks acknowledge the example’s hypothetical scope. They do not qualify a real machine or part.

Step 1 of 4

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Buy vs Outsource Calculator

Buy vs Outsource Scenario Report

What are you trying to compare?

Do you already have a machine quote?

Start with the machine.

Define your production plan.

Count the complete operating cost.

What happens after printing?

Compare the outsourcing alternative.

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