fdm-price-calc

A CLI tool and Python library for calculating FDM 3D print job costs. Implements the same pricing model as a standard product pricing worksheet: filament cost × efficiency factor + machine time cost + labor = total landed cost, with suggested sell prices at 50 / 60 / 70 % margin.

Installation

pip install fdm-price-calc

Using uv:

# install as a CLI tool
uv tool install fdm-price-calc

# or as a library inside a project
uv add fdm-price-calc

CLI

fdmpricecalc [FILE] [PRINTER] [FILAMENT] [options]
fdmpricecalc new-printer | new-filament | list

FILE is a Supported sliced file . PRINTER and FILAMENT are the names of saved presets (see Presets). All three positional arguments are optional — Missing values are filled in interactively.

Preset auto-detection from file

If the file parcer suppports it, the CLI reads the embedded slicer metadata and tries to match your saved presets automatically before prompting:

• Printer — reads the printer_model field (e.g., "Bambu Lab P1S") and scores saved presets by word overlap. The best match is suggested, and you can accept or pick a different one.
• Filament — matches each slot's material type (e.g., PLA) against saved filament presets. Works for both single-filament and multi-filament jobs.

With -y, the match is used silently; if nothing matches, the run errors with a helpful message instead of hanging on a prompt.

# Full run from a sliced file with saved presets
fdmpricecalc job.3mf my_printer pla_basic -n "Widget v2" -a Alice

# Omit PRINTER and FILAMENT — auto-detected from the file
fdmpricecalc job.3mf -n "Widget v2" -a Alice

# Fully scripted with auto-detection — no prompts at all
fdmpricecalc job.3mf -n "Widget" -a Alice -l 5 -q 2 -y

# No file — enter print stats manually via prompts
fdmpricecalc --no-file my_printer pla_basic

# No file — fully scripted, zero prompts
fdmpricecalc --no-file my_printer pla_basic -w 224.93 -t "5h6m12s" \
  --material PLA --color "#FF8800" -n "Pages" -a me -l 10 -q 2 -y

# Override a preset value for this run only
fdmpricecalc job.3mf my_printer pla_basic --efficiency 1.2 --filament-cost 35

# Save result to JSON — minimal by default (no plate data, presets by name)
fdmpricecalc job.3mf bambu_p1s bambu_pla_basic -n "Widget" -o result.json

# Include raw per-plate slicer data
fdmpricecalc job.3mf bambu_p1s bambu_pla_basic -n "Widget" -o result.json -f

# Embed full preset data so the file is self-contained
fdmpricecalc job.3mf bambu_p1s bambu_pla_basic -n "Widget" -o result.json -s

If an unsupported file type is given, the tool falls back to manual entry automatically.

The default JSON output is minimal — just the inputs you provided (printer, filament, labor, quantity, extra costs) and the calculated costs. The raw per-plate slicer data is omitted since it can always be re-read from the source file. Add -f to include it, or -s to embed full preset data for archiving.

Multi-filament

For .3mf files with multiple filament slots, the CLI will automatically try to match each slot to a saved preset by material type (e.g., a slot reporting PLA will match any preset whose material field is PLA). You can also map slots manually:

# Map slot 1 to orange PLA, slot 2 to white PLA; all other slots fall back to pla_basic
fdmpricecalc job.3mf my_printer pla_basic \
  --filament-map 1:pla_orange \
  --filament-map 2:pla_white

# Override cost per kg for all PLA slots in this run only (doesn't change saved presets)
fdmpricecalc job.3mf my_printer pla_basic --material-cost PLA:18

# Also override the efficiency/markup factor for this material
fdmpricecalc job.3mf my_printer pla_basic --material-cost PLA:18:1.8

All flags

  -y, --non-interactive   Never prompt — use provided args and defaults.
                          If PRINTER or FILAMENT are omitted, attempts to
                          auto-detect from file metadata before erroring.
                          Defaults: labor=0, qty=1, no extra costs.
                          Multi-filament slots are auto-matched to saved presets.

job metadata:
  -n, --name NAME       Job name
  -a, --author AUTHOR   Job author
  -o, --output FILE     Save results to JSON file
  -f, --full            Include raw per-plate slicer data in the JSON
                        (plates + totals; omitted by default as they can be
                        re-read from the source file)
  -s, --self-contained  Embed full preset data in the JSON instead of
                        referencing by name (useful for archiving jobs)
  -l, --labor MIN       Post-processing labor time in minutes
  --labor-rate $/HR     Labor hourly rate (overrides preset value for this run)
  -q, --qty N           Quantity to produce
  --extra NAME:COST[:QTY]
                        Extra per-unit cost (hardware, inserts, etc.).
                        Repeatable: --extra 'Magnet:0.50:2' --extra 'Insert:0.08'

manual print stats (use with --no-file or as file fallback):
  -m, --no-file         Skip file parsing; enter stats via args or prompts
  -w, --weight G        Total filament weight in grams
  -t, --time DURATION   Total print time (90, 1h30m, 1:30, 5h6m12s, …)
  --material TYPE       Filament material (PLA, PETG, …)
  --color HEX           Filament color hex (e.g. #FF8800)

filament preset overrides:
  --filament-cost $/KG  Override filament cost per kg (default/single preset)
  --filament-map ID:PRESET
                        Map a filament slot ID to a preset (repeatable)
  --material-cost MATERIAL:$/KG[:MARKUP]
                        Override cost per kg (and optionally the efficiency/markup
                        factor) for all slots of a given material type
                        (e.g., PLA:18 or PLA:18:1.8). Repeatable.
  --efficiency X        Material efficiency factor (default 1.5)

printer preset overrides:
  --print-rate $/HR     Override machine cost rate ($/hr)
  --printer-cost $      Printer purchase cost
  --upfront $           Additional upfront cost
  --maintenance $/YR    Estimated annual maintenance
  --life YRS            Estimated printer life in years
  --uptime PCT          Estimated uptime 0–100
  --power W             Printer power consumption in watts
  --electricity $/KWH   Electricity cost per kWh
  --buffer X            Printer cost buffer factor

Other commands

fdmpricecalc new-printer           # interactive printer, preset wizard
fdmpricecalc new-filament          # interactive filament preset wizard
fdmpricecalc list                  # list all saved presets
fdmpricecalc list printers
fdmpricecalc list filaments

Presets

The package ships with built-in presets for common Bambu and Prusa printers and filaments. They are available immediately after installation with no setup required.

Bundled printers: bambu_a1_mini, bambu_a1, bambu_p1p, bambu_p1s, bambu_p2s, bambu_x1c, bambu_x1e, bambu_h2d, bambu_h2s, bambu_h2c, prusa_mini_plus, prusa_mk4s, prusa_xl, prusa_core_one

Bundled filaments: bambu_pla_basic, bambu_petg_basic, bambu_abs, bambu_tpu, prusament_pla, prusament_petg, prusament_asa

User presets are stored as plain JSON files and always take priority over bundled presets with the same name:

~/.local/share/fdmpricecalc/
    printers/    ← one .json per printer preset
    filaments/   ← one .json per filament preset

To customize a bundled preset, save it under the same name and your version will be used from then on:

fdmpricecalc new-printer   # wizard saves to your user dir
# or edit the JSON directly at the path shown by fdmpricecalc --help

Run fdmpricecalc list to see all available presets (bundled + user). Run fdmpricecalc --help to see the exact user preset paths on your system.

Printer preset fields (printers/my_printer.json):

Field	Default	Description
name	—	Display name
printer_cost	800	Purchase cost ($)
additional_upfront_cost	0	Upgrades at purchase ($)
annual_maintenance	80	Estimated yearly upkeep ($)
estimated_life_years	5	Expected printer lifespan
estimated_uptime_pct	0.5	Fraction of hours the printer runs
power_watts	160	Average power draw (W)
electricity_cost_per_kwh	0.14	Electricity rate ($/kWh)
printer_cost_buffer_factor	1.3	Multiplier for unexpected costs
material_efficiency_factor	1.5	Filament waste multiplier
labor_hourly_rate	15	Post-processing labor rate ($/hr)
print_time_rate_override	null	Skip auto-calc and use a fixed $/hr

Filament preset fields (filaments/my_filament.json):

Field	Default	Description
name	—	Display name
material	PLA	Material type string
cost_per_kg	20	Cost per kilogram ($)

Pricing model

filament_cost  = (cost_per_kg / 1000) × weight_g × efficiency_factor × qty
machine_cost   = print_time_rate × print_time_hr × qty
labor_cost    = (labor_min / 60) × labor_hourly_rate × qty
extra_cost     = Σ (unit_cost × item_qty) × qty   ← hardware, inserts, etc.

total_landed   = filament_cost + machine_cost + labor_cost + extra_cost

sell_price     = total_landed / (1 − margin)
                 e.g. 50% margin → total_landed × 2
                      60% margin → total_landed × 2.5
                      70% margin → total_landed × 3.33

print_time_rate (auto) = (capital_cost_per_hr + electrical_cost_per_hr)
                         × buffer_factor

Supported file formats

Format	Notes
.gcode.3mf	Bambu Studio sliced projects; reads slice_info.config for print data and project_settings.config for printer model and filament types
.json	Json file produced by the --output option
.gcode	PrusaSlicer text G-code; reads embedded config comments
.bgcode	PrusaSlicer binary G-code; reads PRINTER_METADATA and PRINT_METADATA blocks

Python library

All pricing inputs are set directly on the JobData object before calling calculate(). Parsers populate the file data (plates, weight, print time); Your code attaches the pricing config.

import fdm_price_calc as fdm

# Parse a sliced .3mf
job = fdm.parse("job.3mf")

# Or build job data manually
job = fdm.manual_job(
    weight_g=224.93,
    print_time_s=fdm.parse_duration("5h6m12s"),
    material="PLA",
)

# Load saved presets (or create inline)
printer  = fdm.PrinterPreset.load("bambu_p1s")
filament = fdm.FilamentPreset.load("bambu_pla_basic")

# Attach pricing config to the job
job.printer       = printer
job.filament      = filament
job.labor_minutes = 10
job.quantity      = 3
job.extra_costs   = [
    fdm.ExtraCost(name="Magnet",    unit_cost=0.50, qty=2),
    fdm.ExtraCost(name="M3 insert", unit_cost=0.08, qty=4),
]

result = fdm.calculate(job)

print(f"Landed cost:  ${result.total_landed_cost:.2f}")
print(f"50% margin:   ${result.price_at_margin['50%']:.2f}")
print(f"60% margin:   ${result.price_at_margin['60%']:.2f}")

# Save presets for later
printer.save()
filament.save()

Multi-filament (per-slot pricing)

For .3mf files where each slot may use a different filament:

job = fdm.parse("multi_color.gcode.3mf")

orange = fdm.FilamentPreset(name="Orange PLA", cost_per_kg=22)
white  = fdm.FilamentPreset(name="White PLA",  cost_per_kg=25)
pla    = fdm.FilamentPreset.load("pla_basic")

job.printer          = printer
job.filament         = {1: orange, 2: white}  # dict[slot_id, preset]
job.default_filament = pla                     # fallback for unmapped slots
job.labor_minutes    = 5
job.quantity         = 1

result = fdm.calculate(job)
# result.filament_breakdown — list of (label, cost) per slot

Public API

Symbol	Type	Description
parse(path)	function	Parse a supported file → JobData
manual_job(weight_g, print_time_s, ...)	function	Build JobData without a file
calculate(job)	function	Returns CostBreakdown; all inputs read from job
parse_duration(s)	function	"1h30m" → seconds (int)
JobData	dataclass	Job data + pricing config (see fields below)
PlateData	dataclass	Per-plate print time, weight, filaments
FilamentUsage	dataclass	Per-filament usage within a plate
ExtraCost	dataclass	Extra per-unit cost item (name, unit_cost, qty)
PrinterPreset	dataclass	Printer config with cost calculations
FilamentPreset	dataclass	Filament name, material, $/kg
CostBreakdown	dataclass	Cost components + margin prices
BaseParser	ABC	Base class for adding new file formats
list_printers()	function	Names of saved printer presets
list_filaments()	function	Names of saved filament presets
data_dir()	function	Root preset storage path
printers_dir()	function	Printer preset directory
filaments_dir()	function	Filament preset directory

JobData pricing fields (set by caller, not by parsers):

Field	Type	Default	Description
printer_hint	str | None	None	Printer model string from file metadata; used by CLI for auto-matching (read-only for library users)
printer	PrinterPreset | None	None	Required before calculate()
filament	FilamentPreset | dict[int, FilamentPreset] | None	None	Single preset or per-slot mapping
default_filament	FilamentPreset | None	None	Fallback for unmapped slots (dict mode)
labor_minutes	float	0.0	Post-processing labor time
quantity	int	1	Number of copies
extra_costs	list[ExtraCost]	[]	Extra per-unit cost items (hardware, inserts, etc.)
name	str	""	Job display name
author	str	""	Job author