Additive Manufacturing worked example

Build Volume Utilization at 47% target build utilization: a worked example

Here is what the math looks like when conditions slip. We hold every other input steady and drop target build utilization to 47%, then walk the calculation through step by step. Calculate the percentage of usable AM build volume occupied by the nested job and compare it with a target.

The inputs for this scenario

  • Nested part/support volume: 680 cu in (held at the documented default)
  • Usable machine build volume: 1,200 cu in (held at the documented default)
  • Target build utilization: 47 % (the input this scenario stresses; the baseline uses 65)

Working through the calculation

  • The calculation starts from the formula this tool documents: Build volume utilization = nested part/support volume ÷ usable machine build volume.
  • Build volume utilization works out to 56.67 % at these inputs, and this is the headline figure for the scenario.
  • Gap to target works out to -9.67 points at these inputs.
  • Nested volume works out to 680 cu in at these inputs.
  • Usable build volume works out to 1,200 cu in at these inputs.

How this compares with the baseline

  • Against the tool's baseline example, where target build utilization sits at 65% and the headline result is 56.67 %, this scenario lands almost exactly on the baseline at 56.67 %.
  • The practical read: the gap between this scenario and the baseline is entirely attributable to target build utilization, so recovering it is worth quantifying in dollars before considering equipment or staffing changes. It measures volumetric fill only — it ignores thermal spacing rules, recoater clearance and orientation constraints, so the theoretical maximum is well below 100%.

Results at a glance

  • Build volume utilization: 56.67 % (headline result)
  • Gap to target: -9.67 points
  • Nested volume: 680 cu in
  • Usable build volume: 1,200 cu in

Run it with your numbers

  • To rerun this with your own numbers, open the live Build Volume Utilization calculator, set target build utilization to your actual value, and adjust the remaining inputs to match your operation.

Last reviewed 2026-05-12.