3D printing, also known as additive manufacturing, builds parts by stacking materials layer by layer. It has many advantages over traditional manufacturing processes, but there are also some issues. CNC machining is a fairly common subtractive technique used in part manufacturing, which creates parts by cutting off the blank material.

The 3D printing process involves creating parts layer by layer using materials such as liquid photosensitive resin (SLA), photosensitive polymer (PolyJet), plastic or metal powder (SLS/DMLS), and plastic filament (FDM). Therefore, compared to CNC processes, there is less waste generated and minimal material waste. CNC machining involves cutting from a single piece of material, resulting in a relatively low utilization rate of the material. The advantage is that almost all materials can be CNC machined, including production grade engineering plastics and various metal materials. This means that CNC machining may be the most feasible technology for prototypes and mass-produced parts that require high functionality and special performance, as well as for end use applications.

3D printing can create parts with very complex geometric shapes and even hollow shapes, which cannot be completed by CNC machining, such as jewelry, handicrafts, etc. CNC machining can provide higher dimensional accuracy (± 0.005mm) and better surface smoothness (Ra 0.1 μ m). Advanced five axis CNC milling machines can perform high-precision machining on more complex parts, helping you tackle the most difficult manufacturing challenges.

3D printing typically produces small quantities of parts without the need for tools or manual intervention, allowing for quick turnover and cost reduction. The manufacturing cost of 3D printing is priced based on the quantity of materials, which means that larger parts or a larger quantity of parts have higher costs. The CNC machining process is very complex, requiring specially trained engineers to pre program the machining parameters and paths of the parts, and then carry out machining according to the program. Therefore, additional labor should be considered when quoting. But CNC machines can run continuously without human supervision, making them very suitable for mass production.