CNC Machining vs 3D Printing

What is 3D Printing?

3D Printing, also known as additive manufacturing, is the method by which a digital image creates three-dimensional solid artifacts. By depositing successive layers of the content, a 3D printed product is formed. 3D printing is famous for the production of molds for jewelry and custom gifts. The products are varied.

What is CNC Machining?

CNC (Computer Numerical Control) Machining is a subtractive manufacturing process that adopts computerized devices for the development of final designed CNC machining parts to extract the extra materials from the blank and complete necessary tasks with CNC machine tools. The efficiency of the CNC machining service will be impacted by the machine tool, blade material, speed and feed, blade angle, cutting parameters, coolant, workpiece material and more variables.

Difference between CNC machining and 3D printing

What is the difference between additive manufacturing and CNC machining? 3D printing is an additive manufacturing technique.

1. The spectrum of 3D printing technologies that can be machined is greater than CNC manufacturing. 3D printing has a high degree of independence, allowing it to create geometries that are difficult or impossible to complete with CNC.

2. There are a number of mature standards in the CNC processing industry, including the spindle, instrument interface, and control system, but there is no such established standard in the 3D printing sector.

3. It is hard for 3D printing to understand the creation of super large parts, but CNC can manage this.

4. 3D printing is a form of additive manufacturing to stack the model, while CNC is a manufacturing process of subtraction that continually cuts and extracts all the raw materials.

CNC Machining's advantages over 3D printing

Why would you choose CNC machinery for your project?

1. Better finish on the surface

CNC machines can have a better surface finish than 3D printers, since the material does not deform in the process of machining, the component is kept together by solid material and cutting motion, there is no error or deformation. But, due to the laminated heated plastic material, the surface finish of 3D printing is relatively weak.

2. Enhanced integrity of prototypes

The CNC machine does not heat the material, the structural integrity of the part produced will remain better, whereas the 3D printer may heat the material to produce the expected product, often it is essential to add and combine other materials to make prototypes.

3. Prototyping is simpler.

For prototypes that can withstand structural testing, CNC machining is more suitable; it can construct prototypes with the same material used to produce the final product. As they use the same material, structural checks and adjustments can be more precise, this will speed up the manufacturing process, the shift is in design rather than materials. 3D printers can not develop structural strength prototypes, so they can not be physically tested.

4. Cost-efficient

The cost of 3D printing is determined by the quantity of material required, but the quantity of the finished product does not dictate the price of CNC machines; CNC machining is more cost-effective for larger volume orders.

5. The high accuracy

There is greater precision in CNC machining, so the CNC machined parts have higher resistance than 3D printed ones. Prototypes with or attached to shafts with other components would be of higher quality and more likely to match other components.

6. Lowering Cost

If you choose a production method for your products, CNC processing is typically cheaper than 3D printing, with high performance, precision and economy as well.