Additive Manufacturing calculator

Heat Treatment Batch Cost Calculator

Metal AM and some polymer processes require stress relief, annealing, or thermal post-cure. This calculator estimates the energy portion of a heat-treatment batch so finishing cost and batch economics are not overlooked.

What this calculator does

  • Estimate additive heat-treatment energy cost per batch and per part from furnace load, cycle time, power rate, and parts processed.
  • a post-processing engineer or estimator needs furnace energy cost for an additive batch
  • Returns the energy cost for one additive heat-treatment batch and the cost per part.

Formula used

  • Energy used = connected load × cycle time
  • Batch energy cost = energy used × energy rate

Inputs explained

  • Furnace connected load: undefined
  • Heat-treatment cycle time: undefined
  • Energy rate: undefined
  • Parts in heat-treat batch: undefined

How to use the result

  • Use it for metal stress relief, polymer annealing, thermal cure, and post-build cost estimates.
  • It covers energy only; furnace labor, fixturing, gas, certification, maintenance, and outside processing fees may be larger.

Common questions

  • Should warm-up time be included? Include warm-up, soak, controlled cool, and hold time if the furnace consumes energy and blocks the batch.
  • What if the furnace cycles below connected load? Use an average measured kW if available instead of nameplate connected load.
  • Can this price outsourced heat treat? No. Use supplier pricing for outsourced work; this estimates internal energy cost.
  • How should the result be used? Add it to post-processing or part cost, especially for small batches where cost per part rises.

Last reviewed 2026-05-12.