CNC Vs. 3D Printing Technology: Which One Is Best for Prototype Production?

Are you a product designer who wants to make prototypes or go into mass production? If so, you may have to decide between CNC machining and 3D Printing when making your goods. CNC machining and 3D Printing are the two of the most popular ways to create prototypes of any shape you can think of today

However, each method has its way of working, benefits, and abilities, which make them suitable for different engineering design situations. This guide will discuss some of the most important things you must consider before deciding whether your product development project will use CNC machining or 3D Printing. We will also give you helpful information about each process, its features, the materials that work well with it, and the choices for post-processing.

CNC vs. 3D Printing 

Before discussing whether CNC or 3D Printing is better, knowing the basics of both methods and how things are made is essential. CNC stands for Computer Numerical Control. With this method, you start with a block of material and use a machine managed by a computer to cut away the material until you get the desired shape. This type of making is called "subtractive manufacturing."

3D, also known as additive manufacturing, builds up a part layer by layer with the help of a computer-controlled machine. This technology adds material instead of taking it away, so there is less loss.

Both technologies have pros and cons, and picking the right one for a given job relies on things like the part's complexity, the level of accuracy needed, and the material's properties.

CNC vs. 3D Printing: Important Factors to Consider Before Choosing 

When choosing between CNC and 3D Printing, there are many things to consider besides speed, cost, and time. These are some of the most essential things for a business to consider when choosing technology.

Selecting the Most Suitable Material for Your CNC or 3D Printing Project

This is the first and most important thing to consider before choosing between CNC and 3D Printing. Today, you can 3D print parts from various materials ranging from metal to pottery. But there are still many limits to the mechanical qualities of your part. For example, 3D-printed metal parts don't have much wear strength and may need a lot of heat treatment before they can be used. This can make the whole process too expensive for your business and impossible.

In this case, CNC machining would be better because it can work metal quickly without heat treatment. On the other hand, 3D Printing would be a better choice for many things than that. Ultimately, it all depends on the details of the job, and you need to decide after considering all the factors.

Complexity of Design

3D printers shine in this field since they build from the CAD model. 3D printers can almost always handle any design. Machining, whether done by hand or with a computer, needs a lot of help from pros to ensure the cutting tool doesn't get in the way. So, many complicated forms are impossible or need to be made. On the other hand, these rules don't apply to 3D printers. It can also handle hollow shapes and other features impossible with different manufacturing methods.

Part Size

The size of the part is another essential thing to consider when choosing between CNC and 3D Printing. Most of the time, CNC tools are big enough to handle bigger parts. There are so many costs involved with 3D printers that getting bigger than a specific size is impossible. So, always consider the project and its size. But as a general rule, CNC is better for bigger parts.

Production Volume

This is another essential factor that will help you choose the best way to make something. The manufacturing business has used the idea of economies of scale for a long time. This means that the more parts you make, the cheaper it will be to make each one. CNCs and 3D Printing are both used in mass production today.

CNC tools work around the clock and make the needed part with little help from a person. On the other hand, 3D Printing is often used to make samples and even complicated molds for mass production using processes like casting. But if many parts need to be made, most people choose CNC cutting because it is cheaper and no other process is involved.

Dimensional Accuracy

The proper method for you will also depend on how exactly you need to be with your measurements. Both CNC machines and 3D printers are exact and make the same things over and over again. But CNC machines still need the G/M codes and the early input from the operator. 3D printers don't have this problem, and they give you the same results every time. However, the difference between them is minimal and insignificant in most situations. So, CNC and 3D Printing are about the same in this way.

Cutting Speed

Most of the time, CNC tools can cut out parts faster than 3D printers. But the total time depends on something other than the cutting rates. The general speed of the process is determined by the time it takes to start up the machine and do any other pre-processing, as well as by other factors. The size is also a factor. Generally, 3D printers are faster for smaller pieces because they can start making the part right away. But for bigger parts, CNC is the best pick.

Surface Finish

In this area, CNC tools are the best. When the conditions are right, CNC machines will have a better finish on the surface than 3D printers. The big difference is that 3D printers are made for making prototypes and parts that need to be worked on more. CNC tools are made to produce finished goods ready to sell, so they have much better surface finishing abilities.  

Application

Most of the time, CNC tools make parts that are 100% ready to sell. 3D printers are different in a few ways. Most of the time, they are used to make prototypes or to help make molds. In both situations, a rough surface is fine. If you don't, you'll have to do more work on the part before you can use it for anything else.  

Aside from that, 3D-printed metal parts also need to be heated differently. Because of how 3D Printing works, the part made has a limited impact and fatigue power. The heating process helps the internal structure set up better so that it works better. But it still needs to work better than the ones made with CNC.

Budget

Both CNC and 3DP have costs that go along with them. 3D printers are the best way to make small, one-of-a-kind parts. But mass production needs operations that are always the same, and CNCs are best for that.

Think about a car to get a better idea of what it means. Because of how it will be used, you will need the best quality and technology factors. In the same way, it makes sense to look for cheaper options because of the competition in the market and the basic rules of business. In terms of competition, it's also essential that your chosen method is fast enough. If you're only making one part while your competitors are making 10 in the same amount of time, your business will lose money because of the "cost of missed opportunities."

No matter which one you choose, both would require a lot of money for capital and running costs. Cost-wise, 3DP is better for making smaller parts. But the opposite can be true if you must produce more or less simultaneously.

Environmental Considerations

CNC and 3D Printing can be used with many different materials. Most of the time, the CNC method uses no harmful materials. On the other hand, 3D printers tend to use more thermoplastics for prototyping. If you use them right, they can be a great way to recycle plastic that would stay in circulation for a long time if you didn't. So, depending on your project and how much you care about the environment, CNC and 3D Printing could be green choices.  

What Are the Main Similarities Between 3D Printing and CNC milling?

3D Printing and CNC machining are very different technologies with different uses and aims. But there is one big thing that they both have in common. A CAD model is the starting point for CNC cutting and 3D printing. For CNC, the model is used as a guide for the G/M codes, while 3D printers use it directly to start making the layers that make up the end part or product.

Ares Prototyping: Your one-stop shop for fast prototyping and production.

Nothing can take the place of knowledge when it comes to product manufacturing. Because of this, many companies prefer to use third-party manufacturing services to ensure the results are consistent and accurate. With these services, you can keep the same quality of your goods without investing much capital. Ares Prototyping is the perfect choice for your business if you want the best CNC cutting and 3D printing services.

Ares Prototyping stands out by being flexible and putting quality first. We have strict quality checks that keep the standards high and ensure you get the best. We also have one of the easiest ways to bring new customers on board. You can get instant quotes for your idea through our online platform for making things. Add your image and all the necessary information, and you're ready.