Yes, some 3D printing technologies take the density of your model into account in their pricing.
Solid or un-hollowed parts will require more resources (material, energy etc.) and building time, making them more expensive. Additionally, for Powder Based Processes (like Laser Sintering, Multi Jet Fusion, and Metal 3D Printing) there is a limit on the density of the printing volume which secures the quality of the printing process. This density limit restricts the sintered volume of parts in the printer and thus results in an elevated price for dense parts.
Therefore uploading a hollowed model can lead to a cheaper price.
Default hollowing of parts
Please note that above certain wall thickness values, the data preparation specialists in our production will hollow models by default before printing. However, once ordered the price will not be adapted anymore even if you do receive a hollowed model.
This specific wall thickness value for default hollowing is different per material:
Wall Thickness for Default Hollowing |
Materials |
6 mm |
ABS |
8 mm |
Standard Resin, Mammoth Resin, Transparent Resin, Gray Resin |
10 mm |
Polypropylene, Rubber-like (MJF) |
15 mm |
High Detail Resin, Multicolor+ |
20 mm |
Polyamide (SLS), Polyamide (MJF), Alumide |