The Additive application is fast! For simple simulations, your run time will take minutes or even just seconds. For more complicated geometries and simulation options, the program may run for many hours, or even days, but you will see status activity in the log indicating progress throughout the simulation. Keep in mind these general considerations:
A simulation with J2-plasticity (stress mode) will take slightly longer than a simulation assuming linear elastic stress behavior. Stress results will be more accurate. See Linear Elastic versus J2-Plasticity Stress Mode.
A Scan Pattern simulation will take slightly longer than an Assumed Strain simulation. See Scan Pattern Strain - Anisotropic.
A Thermal Strain simulation will take much longer than any other type of simulation, but it provides the highest level of accuracy in results. See Thermal Strain - Anisotropic.
Too small of a voxel size can increase simulation time significantly. See How Does Voxel Size Affect Run Time?
A part oriented with the longest dimension in the Z direction will take longer during simulation than parts oriented with their longest dimension in the plane of the baseplate. While the domain volume doesn’t change with part orientation, the number of voxel layers changes. See Guidelines for Part Orientation and Resolution.
Run time will get slower per voxel layer as the simulation proceeds through the voxel layers. There are more calculations being performed for each new layer as the simulation progresses.
Simulation time does not equal build time but it is related. If the time to build your part takes a week, it is reasonable to expect the simulation to take a few days.