Your products are in the development stage, you just need a few sets of products for testing and exhibition, Rapid Prototype manufacturers will customize your products. There are usually two processing methods: CNC machining and 3D Printing, which one is suitable for your product?
According to Material
At Rapid Prototyping area, we usually use ABS material in our 3D printer. In fact, ABS is our material of choice for the overwhelming majority of everything we make.
PC, FS3400CF, FS3400GF, HP PA-12.
If your products should be made in any other material, we will use CNC machining process with other material.
lot of movement products are usually made from polypropylene. Gears are something else that we always cut with a CNC machine, using Nylon or Delrin because those materials have natural lubricating properties.
According to Surface Finished
The surface finish of products processed by CNC is smoother than 3D printing. If you need a really smooth surface finish, whether for aesthetics or function, we’ll use CNC processing, for example: Auto Lens, Crystal products.
However, customer usually want to down the cost – 3D printing is cheaper than CNC machining, but if the product surface is important, we suggest CNC cutting, because after 3D printing, we have to do extra work to make smooth surface to match your requirements, some additional costs are incurred.
When it comes to function, any parts that come into contact with each other must have as little friction as possible. For parts that need smooth surface to eliminate friction, we’ll usually cut the part as opposed to printing it.
According to Product Structure Characteristics
CNC machining usually is capable of removing material much faster than 3D printing can deposit it. Size usually does not play into the time constraint as much for machining; the amount of material removal required is much more critical. If the part volume/stock volume ratio is very low (material removal is high), 3D printing may be a good option.
With 3D printing, the part size determines the time, larger parts take longer. If a part fits in the palm of your hand, it’s usually done the same day. With smaller parts, it can often be faster to 3D print than to CNC machining. With a CNC machine you have to spend time getting stock, CAM, figuring out work holding, setting up fixture, and cleaning up after. Some small parts can print in the time it takes just to get a CNC machine ready.
According to Product Functions
1) For plastic products, if the products are structural functional parts, which have high requirements for strength and toughness, we suggested CNC machining;
2) For special metal products, it is recommended to use 3D printing technology (SLM) in the fields of aerospace, automotive, medical, jewelry and mould. SLM, some metal powder materials printed products are very light, no welding when two active products are buckled together, but they can be moved. Especially there is no waste of valuable materials.
