Logo

3D Printing vs CNC Machining: What's the Difference

November 12, 2021

3D Printing vs CNC Machining: What's the Difference

If you're in the manufacturing industry, you may have heard of 3D printing and CNC machining. Both are popular ways of creating prototypes and products in different sectors of the manufacturing industry. In this article, we'll compare these two different manufacturing processes to help you understand their differences, advantages, and disadvantages.

What is CNC Machining?

Computer Numerical Control (CNC) machining is a subtractive manufacturing process that works by removing material from a block of raw material (usually metal or plastic) to create a finished product. A computer-controlled machine uses precise tools to cut away the unnecessary material, achieving a high level of accuracy in the final product.

What is 3D Printing?

3D printing is an additive manufacturing process that works by creating a physical object layer by layer, using a digital model as a blueprint. A 3D printer lays down material layer by layer, building up the final product. There are different 3D printing technologies, including Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM), Stereolithography (SLA), and Selective Laser Sintering (SLS).

Differences Between 3D Printing and CNC Machining

Manufacturing Process

As mentioned earlier, CNC machining is a subtractive manufacturing process, while 3D printing is an additive manufacturing process. This fundamental difference affects how and when each manufacturing process is applied. CNC machining is preferred when working with metal, wood, or plastic blocks, while 3D printing is preferred for complex geometric shapes made out of materials like polymers or ceramic.

Material Wastage

With CNC machining, there is a significant amount of wastage. The process involves starting with a solid block and carving out the final product piece by piece. The wastage in CNC machining is higher than that of 3D printing, where only the material required to create the final product is used.

Speed

CNC machining is a faster process than any 3D printer technology. The speeds for CNC machining range from 12,000 to 28,000 RPM, while 3D printers range from 30-300 mm/s. However, this is not always the case since the time required for 3D printing depends on the complexity of the 3D model.

Level of precision

CNC machining can achieve higher precision than any 3D printing technology. The accuracy in CNC machining can be up to ±0.0001 inches, whereas for 3D printing technologies, it ranges between .003" to .009".

Advantages of CNC Machining

  • High precision
  • Easily used with different materials
  • Suitable for large batch productions

##Disadvantages of CNC Machining

  • High material waste
  • Slow compared to 3D printing for large batch production
  • Expensive

##Advantages of 3D Printing

  • Fits more intricate designs
  • Lower cost compared to CNC machining
  • Faster to set up and manufacture large and complex models

##Disadvantages of 3D Printing

  • Limited materials available
  • Low precision
  • Not suitable for batch production at large scale

Conclusion

Both CNC machining and 3D printing have their strengths and weaknesses. The decision on which process to use depends on the specific manufacturing requirements. CNC machining is best for strong and durable metal parts that require high accuracy but are expensive and slow. In contrast, 3D printing's faster, cheaper, and more flexible process is ideal for prototyping and manufacturing of less durable products.

It's essential to understand these differences between CNC machining and 3D printing to make informed decisions in your manufacturing process.

#References

© 2023 Flare Compare