No matter if you are a professional or an amateur at 3D printing, expenses around it shall always remain a concern. How much electricity does a 3D printer use shall give you a good idea of the amount of power a regular 3D printer consumes. Not only shall it help you to estimate your costs each month in advance but also here you shall be guided about the factors that might help you to keep the consumption of electricity under control as well.
How much electricity does a 3D printer use
If you are new to starting 3D printing then there are some factors that you should keep in mind so that you can manage your expenses well while using the 3D printer. Using the 3D printer may become a little expensive deal if not a lot, for you if you do not know how to keep things under control. Generally, 3D printers are a little costlier than regular printers due to their special features.
Other than that it is the filament of the 3D printer which is also on the higher end of the cost. Anything apart from that which is costly with regard to the 3D printer is your electricity expenses upon using the printer. although this cost varies based on the printing time, the model of the printer, and the material used as well.
So, it is indeed essential for you to have an idea about the cost of electricity that your 3D printer can incur. If we get to have an idea of the cost of the electricity for one hour, then calculating the rest of the cost depending upon the usage shall become easier to estimate. If we take the example of the BCN3D Elipson W50 printer then, the amount of electricity it consumes maximum each hour is 840W.
How to estimate the power consumed by a 3D printer
Once you learn about the factors that consume the maximum electricity in a 3D printer, it shall be easier for you to have an idea of how much may your 3D printer consume based on the model of the 3D printer that you use and the number of hours you use it as well.
The model of the printer
Different 3D printers consume different capacities of electricity. You shall find 3D printers that consume 1700W as well. So, the thing to observe here is that if you have a 3D printer that has a low energy efficiency to it, it shall end up doubling your cost of electricity leading to about 0.4 €each hour.
Filament it uses
Different materials require different temperatures in meeting their melting points. If you take, for example, you shall find that it takes 200°C for the PLA to melt while it takes 240°C in the case of ABS. So, if you print using PLA other than ABS, there shall be a reduction in the consumption of electricity.
Speed of printing
Although fast printing speed shall bring a reduction in the cost of energy but shall bring an increase in the electricity consumption of electricity for each hour as the print heads shall be requiring more electricity for their fast operation.
Tips on reduction of power consumption
While you read further you shall get to know about some of the useful ways by which you shall be able to bring a reduction in the consumption of power up to 80%.
Making prints using the mirror mode
If you print using two extruders at the same time then it not only shall half your total hours of printing but also greatly shall help to lower the power consumption. Because it uses the same surface for printing, the bar moves in the Y direction of the X axis, maintaining the same electronics.
Using the recommended profiles for printing
When you use the recommended profiles for printing you shall find that every material has been configured differently. These configurations have already been studied and tested in the laboratories in the case of recommended profiles of 3D printers so that they are able to deliver you the figures quicker, perfectly, and efficiently as well. So, always depend on buying and using the well-recommended printers for the purposes of your 3D printing.
Avoid printing during the peak hours
This mostly applies if you have set up your business in an area where there are other similar businesses running at the same time. If you need only to print a part and you do not need it immediately as well then delay making the print. Do not print during the peak hours when the other nearby 3D printers are running. Get it printed during the off-peak hours. This shall never put that extra load of electricity consumption on your printer.
Adding enclosure to the 3D printer
When you add an enclosure, it brings down energy usage by keeping the heat trapped inside. The heated chamber it creates stops the filament warp. It also traps the harmful 3D printing fumes inside from being exposed to the air. It also reduces the sound levels of the 3D printers as well.
Heat bed Insulation
A heated print bed of the 3D printer leads to more consumption of power. Having a large surface area, a lot of its heat escapes into the surrounding. If you cover the underneath of the 3D printer using the material for insulation, it shall surely bring a reduction in the consumption of more energy. For doing this you can either use the cork sheet or the self-adhesive insulation mat made from aluminum. Both of these two materials are very efficient in handling greater temperatures of the heated beds.
In doing so, you shall find now the bed is getting heated much more quickly consuming less electricity. Since a little of its energy getting escaped now, there is more power for setting the bed to the required temperature.
I’m Susan Rockett, I am dedicated to providing effective solutions for all your printing needs. From troubleshooting common printer issues to recommending the best printers for your specific requirements, our website offers valuable insights and resources.