Printing large, multi-plate projects on my Bambu H2C made me want a clearer picture of what each complete build costs—not just filament, but failed prints, electricity, extra materials and assembly time.
That became BenchTare, a free browser-based project tracker I’m developing for fellow makers.
You can import sliced Bambu Studio or OrcaSlicer .gcode.3mf files, organise plates into projects, compare estimates with recorded consumption, track replacement prints and filament inventory, and export PDF or Excel reports.
No BenchTare account is required. Project files are processed in your browser, and saved project data stays in that browser—not in a cloud project database. Backup/export lets you keep a separate copy.
It’s currently in beta, with a demo you can explore without uploading files. I’d really appreciate feedback: do the imported figures match your slicer, is anything confusing and what would make it more useful for your builds?
first of all big thank you for checking it out and reaching out! That’s quite a collection of printers you have there!
To answer your questions. You can save multiple printer cost profiles, and those aren’t limited to Bambu. The file import side depends on which slicer you use, though, so I don’t want to promise that everything works with your setup before we’ve checked it.
I use Bambu myself, which is where I started, but my goal is for BenchTare to work with everyone’s slicer, whatever printer they own. It’s still early days, and feedback like yours will help me get there.
Which slicers do you use? Having someone try it with other brands would be really helpful.
I’m also curious about your empty spool weight database. How do you use that in your tracking? BenchTare started from wanting a better overview of my own projects, so I’d love to hear how you’ve approached it.
Thanks again, and do let me know what you think once you’ve had a look!
I just weigh the rolls and subtract the spool weight. It’s not complicated the slicer estimates the use and it gives me a good idea if there is enough filament.
I am away this weekend I’ll take a look at your system later.
I usually use prusaslicer/ orca/ bambu, all kinda the exact same. I also use cure some and idea maker. Mostly Prusa.
Thanks for clarifying and for the slicer list. Knowing you mainly use Prusa is particularly helpful, as I want this to be useful beyond my own Bambu setup.
No rush at all—enjoy your weekend! I’d be interested to hear what you think whenever you’ve had a chance to try it. Hope you have a nice trip
Thank you for your insight. Yes I really want this to be able to be used by everyone and not just my own needs and system. Have you tried other trackers yourself? I’d be interested to hear what let you down or what you felt was missing, whether it was file compatibility or something else. It’s still early days for BenchTare (little over a week) so understanding where other tools haven’t worked for you would really help me see where we could make a difference.
I really appreciate you taking the time to drop a comment. I can only make important changes if people tell me.
I attempted to import files from, cura, ideamaker, prusaslicer and orca slicer. These all returned an error. I am not certain if it is that I use a Mac or not. only Bambu studio worked the rest gave No sliced G-code was found. Export a sliced .gcode.3mf from Bambu Studio or OrcaSlicer. 3mf files only ran from Bambu studio (my orca I like exports plain 3mf files. I rarely use 3mf files because of the multiple printers they cause issue and are loosely transferable given every printer has a custom configuration it can create a nightmare. I only import geometry only almost always.
I personally would like to see a printer configuration and the software to accept the various Gcode files (Standard, binary, BGC) over read everything from a project file. The mark up is quite limited as well. Most of the prints I make are more than 100% it would be hard to support rent, insurance, printer costs, stocking costs with 100%.
I can see the functionality but outside of the Bambu eco system I hit a wall. Opening the 3mf files, The Bambu studio is very different, I can’t see the coding of the .model file but I suspect that is the key issue? The Metadata seems similar and from my experience readable by multiple slicers.
This is EXACTLY the type of feedback I need. OK, to summarise your issues and needs:
File compatibility: Bambu Studio worked, but your exports from Cura, ideaMaker, PrusaSlicer and Orca failed.
Your normal workflow: You want to use the G-code files you actually print, including standard and binary formats, without having to export a particular 3MF project.
Printer configuration: You want to configure your different printers in BenchTare independently of the imported project file. Please correct me if you mean something more specific here.
Pricing flexibility: You need markup above 100% to price your work appropriately. I’ve addressed this with a separate “Markup on cost” option, which is live now. That was the easy fix!
3MF differences: You’ve noticed differences between the slicers’ files that may explain the failures. I need to investigate those rather than assume the cause.
If you’re willing to help, could you send me one exported print file from each slicer that failed, together with the slicer version and the printer it was prepared for? Ideally the actual files you would normally print, including a binary example if you use those.
You can send them to hello@benchtare.com. I know it’s a pain, but it will really help me reproduce the failures rather than guess whether your Mac or the file differences are responsible. The error message clearly needs improving too.
On printer configuration, we already have basic printer cost profiles, but I can see that these need developing. My thought is to let you save each printer with its power consumption and machine allowance, then select the printer for each plate or print run independently of the imported file. Is that what you had in mind, or are there other settings you would expect?
So, to be completely transparent: the markup change is done; the import compatibility and printer configuration work still needs doing. Let me know if I’ve missed anything or misunderstood your feedback. Once I have your examples and clarification, I can get to work on those points properly.
Thank you again. This is worth its weight in gold.
I am fairly busy at the moment I will send files and such when I get a chance and not at work. I realize idea maker I rarely use as a slicer and I suspect most don’t at all, I will drop it as it is an odd ball.
I have only tinkered with bench tare so I have not explored every option. It seems setting an account and the various printers and configurations will by pass sending a 3mf file. Maybe?
Personally when I sell prints I calculate the material usage in 1/4 , ½, 3/4, full roll. It builds in failures resizing correcting for any issues and gives me the flexibility for me to be satisfied with the print. I don’t let loose anything I am not happy with. I only print things I design, my design charge covers my wage. Printing is marked up but enough to cover basic requirements. Insurance was the real nightmare, it partially why I only print ‘prototypes’ of my designs the insurance was a lot less than being a manufacturer.
Please take all the time you need. Work and life come first, and neither I nor BenchTare is going anywhere. There’s no deadline on helping me out
What you’ve already shared has been enormously useful. We can leave ideaMaker aside and look at the files you actually use whenever you have a quiet moment.
I very much respect your approach to quality. Giving yourself room to correct things until you’re happy to put your name to them makes complete sense. It’s how I work with my own clients in my business too. Your quarter-roll approach also helps me understand how you price that.
On the account question: BenchTare doesn’t require one. You can choose to save your projects on your device and download backups. Printer profiles can supply the printer’s cost settings, but we still need the print’s time and material usage, either from a supported G-code file or entered manually. A 3MF isn’t essential.
Thank you again for explaining how you work. I’m committed to developing this, and feedback like yours helps me make it useful beyond my own setup. Whenever you’re ready, we’ll pick it up from there.
A little update for everyone following this: Kite’s feedback has helped me make several improvements to BenchTare.
There’s now broader G-code support beyond Bambu, independent printer settings, reusable filament profiles, markup above 100%, and an option to quote filament in quarter-spool amounts.
I’m still testing compatibility across different slicers, so this isn’t a claim that every file format now works. But we’ve made progress, and the aim remains the same: work with the files and printers you already use.
Kite, thank you again for taking the time to help. This is exactly the kind of feedback I need.
If anyone else gives it a try, please tell me what works—and what gets in your way.
No worries. I have a fairly large print project up coming, Kraken mod and I think I will do two and update my python, I love it but it takes a lot of room!
I will likely use Bench tare to keep track of that once I find the time.
That sounds like a proper project! Two Kraken builds and an update to the Python should keep the printers busy!
I’d be delighted if BenchTare helps you keep track of it all. Take your time and enjoy the build. If anything gets in your way with the tool, you know where to find me.
Would love to see the finished setup when you get there!
This was a big project for a friend, my poor son is very jealous so I might have to make him another one.
BenchTare helped with the estimated costs and filament tracking. The numbers were then updated with the real time actual costs. Now I need to find out which size box I need to ship this in (maybe that’s a future tool to build )
Some useful tester feedback highlighted two things: it wasn’t clear enough which file to export from a slicer, and the costing options could feel overwhelming if you’ve never worked out your printing costs before.
I’ve made a few changes to help:
Clearer file guidance: BenchTare needs the sliced print file, rather than the original STL or an unsliced project. There are now export instructions for Bambu Studio, OrcaSlicer and PrusaSlicer, plus clearer guidance when a file doesn’t contain the required print data.
An optional costing checklist: This shows what came from the sliced file, such as estimated print time and filament usage, and which additional costs haven’t been included. You can click through to add or change spool prices, electricity, printer wear, labour and selling costs.
Help you can skip: Experienced users can collapse the guidance and go straight to the full controls. There’s no compulsory wizard.
A short beginner video tutorial: “Your first BenchTare project” walks through a real multi-plate build, from importing the sliced file to entering filament prices and understanding the resulting estimate. You’ll find it on the welcome screen and under Help.
One small clarification too: the currency selector sets the currency you’re working in—it doesn’t convert amounts using exchange rates.
BenchTare remains free, with no accounts. Imported print files are processed locally in your browser.
A big thank you to everyone who has tried it and pointed out where things weren’t obvious. If you’re new to costing your prints, I’d especially like to hear whether this makes that first project easier—and where you still get stuck.
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