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Another key point about the technology.
The parts have to fit in the cubic area built into the machine. So each machine has a distinct limit.
During parts manufacture, the entire volume that the part requires is filled with the powder. Any powder not consolidated is then scrap. This is expensive powder.
So good parts are not widely spaced frames like shown above. They are typically smaller and able to be packed tightly in the working volume of the machine.
The better packed and the better the fraction of the power used results in parts that are cheaper.
As an example, plastic printed parts were quoted to me on the basis of # of inches of powder required.
If you had a 1" high part, it cost $200 for either one part or 10 if they laid in that 1 inch space.
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