Additive Manufacturing calculator
Additive Inspection Cost Calculator
Additive inspection can include dimensional checks, surface review, density coupons, tensile coupons, CT scans, or build traveler verification. This calculator estimates sampling burden from lots, runs, and samples so inspection capacity is planned with the build schedule.
What this calculator does
- Estimate inspection sample count and hours for additive lots from lots, runs per lot, and samples per run.
- a quality engineer needs to estimate AM inspection workload for production lots or validation builds
- Returns inspection sample burden for additive lots and build runs.
Formula used
- Total inspection samples = lots × build runs per lot × samples per run
- Inspection hours are estimated from the validator's sample workload assumption.
Inputs explained
- Additive production lots: undefined
- Build runs per lot: undefined
- Inspection samples per run: undefined
How to use the result
- Use it for quality planning, regulated builds, first article inspection, and production release checks.
- It estimates sample workload only; actual cost depends on CMM, CT, tensile testing, coupon prep, documentation, and acceptance criteria.
Common questions
- What counts as a sample? A printed part, witness coupon, tensile bar, density cube, or documented inspection unit required by the plan.
- Should destructive tests be included? Yes if they are required samples; add their lab cost separately if needed.
- Can this replace a sampling plan? No. Use customer, regulatory, and internal quality requirements to define the sample counts.
- How does this help scheduling? It shows whether inspection capacity could delay release after the printer finishes.
Last reviewed 2026-05-12.