Additive Manufacturing worked example

Post-Processing Cost with parts requiring finishing of 160 parts: a worked example

This scenario runs the post-processing cost calculation on the strong side: parts requiring finishing of 160 parts, with every other input held at its documented default. a post-processing technician or estimator needs finishing cost for an AM job

The inputs for this scenario

  • Parts requiring finishing: 160 parts (raised for this scenario; the documented default is 64)
  • Finishing cost per part: 7.5 $ / part (unchanged)
  • Setup and handling labor: 180 $ (unchanged)
  • Post-processing overhead: 95 $ (unchanged)

Working through the calculation

  • Applying the documented formula (Variable finishing cost = parts requiring finishing × finishing cost per part) to the inputs above produces each figure below.
  • At this operating point the engine returns 1,475 $ for total post-processing cost, the number this scenario is built around.
  • At this operating point the engine returns 9.22 $ / part for post-processing cost per part.
  • At this operating point the engine returns 1,200 $ for variable finishing cost.
  • At this operating point the engine returns 275 $ for setup and overhead.

How this compares with the baseline

  • Against the tool's baseline example, where parts requiring finishing sits at 64 parts and the headline result is 755 $, this scenario comes in 95.36% above the baseline at 1,475 $.
  • Use it when quoting finished parts, comparing in-house finishing to outsourcing, or deciding whether a batch is large enough to absorb fixed setup. Treat this as a target state: the delta against the baseline quantifies what the improvement is worth before you commit to chasing it.

Results at a glance

  • Total post-processing cost: 1,475 $ (headline result)
  • Post-processing cost per part: 9.22 $ / part
  • Variable finishing cost: 1,200 $
  • Setup and overhead: 275 $

Run it with your numbers

  • Every input above is editable in the live Post-Processing Cost calculator, which recalculates instantly and can be shared with the inputs intact.

Last reviewed 2026-05-12.