Case Study 3
Print farm profit breakdown: where margin is won or lost
A batch-level economics view that separates direct cost from operational uplift.
Modeled batch economics (example)
| Batch quantity | 60 parts |
| Fleet size | 6 printers |
| Utilization | 78% |
| Failure rate | 7% |
| Direct batch cost | GBP 540 |
| Operational adjustment | GBP 185 |
| Adjusted batch cost | GBP 725 |
Largest cost levers
- - Failure rate drift above 5-6%
- - Underestimated supervision/handling time
- - Poor job sequencing lowering effective utilization
- - Missing risk buffer for returns/reprints
Margin protection actions
- - Price from adjusted total, not direct total
- - Track operator minutes per wave and per part
- - Re-baseline assumptions monthly
- - Split quotes by complexity tier
Recommended print-farm tools
In higher volume workflows, simple quality and maintenance tools can materially improve effective margin.
Kynup digital caliper
Useful for tolerance QA in repeat production.
Creality tool kit
Reduces service downtime during maintenance cycles.
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