The US company Slant 3D recently announced that it has almost succeeded in producing 3D printing filament for just USD 10 per kilogram. This target was first announced by CEO Gabe Bentz at the end of 2023, when average filament prices were still between 20 and 30 US dollars per kilogram.
However, the price of USD 10 was not achieved solely through optimized production machines and raw materials. Rather, the company focused on factors such as packaging, shipping and the size of the spools. Originally, Slant 3D tested larger spools weighing 2 kilograms, but then switched to a 3-kilogram format, which is more efficient in production and logistics.
Another problem in reducing costs was the uncertainty in production planning. Manufacturers often have to provide raw materials and labor in advance without knowing exactly what the actual demand will be. Slant 3D solved this problem by introducing a subscription model for its “Tangled Filament” service. Customers pay a monthly fee of 7 US dollars and can order filament at a price of 10 US dollars per kilogram. The spools are offered exclusively in 3-kilogram format and shipping within the US is free.
The cost savings for subscribers increase with the order quantity. When ordering one coil per month, the price per kilogram is 12.33 US dollars. With seven spools, however, the price drops to almost 10 US dollars per kilogram. This offer is aimed in particular at printing farms or users with high filament consumption.
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