<p>I'm not clear as to the intent of your question, but I would like to provide some insight. Typically, the biggest differentiating factor between a mediocre data scientist, and a good one, is based on the hypothesis they put forth. Therefore, understanding where the cost of filament is derived from is much more important than analyzing the market price equilibrium over a period of time (Even if done with consideration to various filament types).</p>

<p>Here are some basic costs:</p>

<ul>
<li>Raw material (the cost based on region, and grade)</li>
<li>Manufacturing scale (Mixers, extruders, cooling, spooling, packaging, etc.)</li>
<li>Shipping (Often 50% of cost for small quantities)</li>
<li>Supply chain (Number of middle men)</li>
</ul>

<p>Without going into detail of every preceding point, I was able to break down costs to a theoretical $10/kg for ABS, if starting with virgin pellets, and shipping flat rate USPS within the US. </p>

<p>The point that I am trying to make is, fundamentals over technical analysis in this case.</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2016-04-26T07:03:46.590Z
2016-04-26T07:03:46.590Z
Alex Sky
<p>You could have a look though the various price trackers for Amazon (like <a href="http://uk.camelcamelcamel.com/Kg-Yellow-MakerGear-Ultimaker-THING-O-MATIC-Universal/product/B00MVKOSM8?context=browse" rel="nofollow">ccc</a> and <a href="https://thetracktor.com/detail/B010P3EE6W/" rel="nofollow">thetractor</a>), for some basic trends. Most of them does not seem to have sufficient data to give any valuable insight, but that could change.</p>

<p>In general, I would refer to the yearly and monthly <a href="https://www.3dhubs.com/trends" rel="nofollow">trend reports found on 3D Hubs</a>. They usually include the average filament order costs per filament type from the previous 30 days, although they do not display it as a continuous graph at this time.</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2016-04-22T07:58:54.980Z
Any particular reason for the downvote? Please comment.
Tormod Haugene
CC BY-SA 3.0
2016-04-23T23:27:10.297Z
I don't understand the downvote either. Have an upvote from me.
kamuro
CC BY-SA 3.0
2016-04-21T20:50:16.030Z
2016-04-21T20:50:16.030Z
Tormod Haugene
<p>Some have suggested that filament costs are asymptotically approaching a baseline cost - others that costs are linearly decreasing. Does anyone know where to find the trending costs on a single class of filament over the past decade or more?</p>

<p>Part of the reason we are asking is to get enough longitudinal data to begin projecting costs for printing objects in the future. You might think of it like the "Moore's Law" of filament costs.</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2016-04-21T21:24:35.740Z
This might be a better question for Open Data SE
tbm0115
<filament><cost>
Trend in Filament Costs?
Praxiteles
# Trend in Filament Costs?

(Asked by: username_0 on 2016-04-21)

Some have suggested that filament costs are asymptotically approaching a baseline cost - others that costs are linearly decreasing. Does anyone know where to find the trending costs on a single class of filament over the past decade or more?

Part of the reason we are asking is to get enough longitudinal data to begin projecting costs for printing objects in the future. You might think of it like the "Moore's Law" of filament costs.

**Tags:** filament, cost
> **Comments:**
> **username_1**: This might be a better question for Open Data SE  

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## 2 answers

### Answer by username_2 on 2016-04-26. Score: 3

I'm not clear as to the intent of your question, but I would like to provide some insight. Typically, the biggest differentiating factor between a mediocre data scientist, and a good one, is based on the hypothesis they put forth. Therefore, understanding where the cost of filament is derived from is much more important than analyzing the market price equilibrium over a period of time (Even if done with consideration to various filament types).

Here are some basic costs:

* Raw material (the cost based on region, and grade)
* Manufacturing scale (Mixers, extruders, cooling, spooling, packaging, etc.)
* Shipping (Often 50% of cost for small quantities)
* Supply chain (Number of middle men)

Without going into detail of every preceding point, I was able to break down costs to a theoretical $10/kg for ABS, if starting with virgin pellets, and shipping flat rate USPS within the US.

The point that I am trying to make is, fundamentals over technical analysis in this case.


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### Answer by username_3 on 2016-04-21. Score: 1

You could have a look though the various price trackers for Amazon (like [ccc](http://uk.camelcamelcamel.com/Kg-Yellow-MakerGear-Ultimaker-THING-O-MATIC-Universal/product/B00MVKOSM8?context=browse) and [thetractor](https://thetracktor.com/detail/B010P3EE6W/)), for some basic trends. Most of them does not seem to have sufficient data to give any valuable insight, but that could change.

In general, I would refer to the yearly and monthly [trend reports found on 3D Hubs](https://www.3dhubs.com/trends). They usually include the average filament order costs per filament type from the previous 30 days, although they do not display it as a continuous graph at this time.

> **Comments:**
> **username_3**: Any particular reason for the downvote? Please comment.  
> **username_4**: I don't understand the downvote either. Have an upvote from me.  

---

