<p>Syracuse University announced today that they would start to charge for the services of Laser Cutting and CNC Milling that have been free for the past five years. This prompted me to wonder what other schools charge for the plotting, laser cutting, CNC milling and 3D Printing. </p>
<p>Syracuse doesn’t even have the greatest Digital Fabrication equipment and the only investment this year has been a Vacuum Former. I don’t think that this was such an expensive investment, maybe 10 grand. This machine is free to use, but of course normally uses a CNC milled form. </p>
<p>Prices are going to be $12 and hour charged at a minutely rate of $0.20 for the laser cutter and half of that for the slower CNC mill.
Materials must be provided by the student for both machines. </p>
<p>Plotting is and always has been pricey here. $0.25/sq. ft. and $1.25/sq. ft. for black and white and color respectively. That’s 15 bucks for a 36x48 color print. </p>
<p>I just want opinions from other people on these prices and whether or not this seems excessive.</p>