3D Printing vs Injection Molding - Which One is Cheaper?
If you are in the product manufacturing business, choosing the right manufacturing process is crucial. Two most talked-about manufacturing processes are 3D printing and injection molding. While both processes have their strengths and weaknesses, choosing between them primarily depends on your product's cost.
So, which one is cheaper, 3D printing, or injection molding? Let's compare them.
The Manufacturing Process
Before getting into cost, let's take a quick look at the manufacturing process of both.
3D Printing
3D printing (additive manufacturing) is a process that creates objects by stacking layers on top of each other. It works by melting filament material and adding layers to create a 3D object.
Injection Molding
Injection molding, on the other hand, is a process that creates objects by injecting melted plastic into a mold. It works by heating and melting the plastic and then injecting it into the mold. After the plastic cools down and hardens, the mold is removed, leaving the product behind.
Which One is Cheaper?
The cost of 3D printing and injection molding primarily depends on the number of products you want to produce.
- If you need a few products (less than 10), 3D printing is the right choice.
- If you need thousands of products, injection molding is the right choice.
Let's dig deeper into each process's cost.
3D Printing Cost
The cost of 3D printing depends on several factors, including the material type and the size of the product. The average cost of 3D printing is around $3 to $5 per cubic inch. 3D printers can only produce small products, and if you need large products, you need to break them down into multiple parts and assemble them.
Injection Molding Cost
The cost of injection molding depends on several factors, including the material, tooling, and machine costs. The average cost of injection molding is around $0.15 to $0.30 per part. The tooling cost can range from $1,000 to $80,000, depending on the size and complexity of the product. The more products you need, the cheaper the production cost per unit becomes.
Conclusion
In conclusion, 3D printing is cheaper for a few products or prototypes, while injection molding is cheaper for large-scale production runs. However, the price difference between 3D printing and injection molding is not significant.
When choosing between 3D printing and injection molding, it's essential to consider your product's purpose, durability, and expected lifespan. So, make an informed choice that aligns with your business goals.