Managing Supplies
Track additional materials and hardware needed for your 3D print models
What Are Supplies?
Supplies are non-filament materials needed to complete a model, such as fasteners, magnets, bearings, or other hardware.
Common Supply Examples
Fasteners
- •M3, M4, M5 screws and bolts
- •Nuts and washers
- •Heat-set inserts
Mechanical
- •Ball bearings
- •Springs
- •Dowel pins
Magnetic
- •Neodymium magnets (various sizes)
- •Magnetic strips
Other
- •LED lights
- •Adhesives and glues
- •Elastic bands
Note: Supplies are optional. Only add them if your model requires additional materials beyond filament.
Supply Information
Each supply tracks four key pieces of information for accurate cost calculation.
Name
Descriptive name of the supply item
Examples:
M3 Screws
Ball Bearings
Magnets 10mm
Category
Type or classification of the supply
Examples:
Fasteners
Mechanical
Magnetic
Needed For Model
Quantity required for one complete model
Examples:
4 - Four M3 screws needed
2 - Two ball bearings needed
6 - Six 10mm magnets needed
Cost Per Item
Price of one individual item in your currency
Examples:
$0.15 - Per M3 screw
$1.25 - Per ball bearing
$0.50 - Per 10mm magnet
Adding Supplies to a Model
The upload page includes a demo supply library with common items. In future updates, you'll be able to create custom supplies.
Step 1: Open Manage Supplies
In the Supplies section of the upload form, click the "Manage Supplies" button.
This opens a panel showing available supplies from the demo library
Step 2: Browse Available Supplies
Review the available supplies. Each shows its name, category, and cost per item.
Demo Library Includes:
M3 Screws
Fasteners - $0.15/item
Ball Bearings
Mechanical - $1.25/item
Magnets 10mm
Magnetic - $0.50/item
Step 3: Add Supply to Model
Click on any supply to add it to your model. It appears in the list above the Manage Supplies panel.
The supply includes pre-configured quantity and cost from the demo library
Step 4: Review Added Supplies
Added supplies display with their details and calculated cost.
M3 Screws
Fasteners • Qty: 4 • $0.60
Total Supply Cost: $0.60
Current Limitation: The supply library is currently limited to demo items. Future updates will allow you to create and manage your own custom supply database.
Removing Supplies
Remove supplies from a model if you added the wrong item or the model no longer requires them.
Remove Process
- 1
Locate the supply
Find the supply in the list below the Supplies section heading
- 2
Click Remove button
Click the red "Remove" button on the right side of the supply row
- 3
Supply removed
The supply disappears from the list and total cost updates automatically
Supply Cost Calculation
The system automatically calculates total supply cost based on quantity and cost per item.
Calculation Formula
For each supply:
Item Cost = Quantity × Cost Per Item
Total supply cost:
Total = Sum of all item costs
Example Calculation
Model with three supplies:
M3 Screws
4 × $0.15
$0.60
Ball Bearings
2 × $1.25
$2.50
Magnets 10mm
6 × $0.50
$3.00
Total Supply Cost
$6.10
When to Use Supplies
Assembly Models
Track hardware needed for multi-part models that require assembly.
Example: Articulated dragon with 8 M3 screws and 4 ball bearings for joints
Functional Prints
Document components for practical models that serve a purpose.
Example: Phone stand with 6 magnets for secure mounting
Cost Estimation
Include all materials in pricing for accurate quotes.
Example: Calculate true cost including filament + $6.10 in supplies
Shopping Lists
Know exactly what to buy before starting production.
Example: Model shows you need 4 M3 screws per unit - order 100 screws for 25 units
Best Practices
Be Specific
- ✓Include exact sizes: "M3 Screws" not just "Screws"
- ✓Specify lengths if important: "M3 × 10mm Screws"
- ✓Note magnet dimensions: "Magnets 10mm × 2mm"
Accurate Costs
- •Use actual purchase prices for supplies
- •Update costs when prices change
- •Include shipping in per-item cost if significant
Only Add What's Needed
- •Don't add supplies for single-piece models that need no assembly
- •Skip optional supplies unless they're standard for your models
- •Focus on materials that are part of the final product