What is the difference between CNC precision machining 3D printing processes?

“ What Is The Difference Between CNC Precision Machining  3D Printing ?”

The Most Straightforward Answer: 3D Printing Is An Additive Technology, CNC Precision Machining Is A Subtractive Technology. Which One Is Better?

1. Differences In Materials

The Main Materials For 3D Printing Are Liquid Resin (SLA), Nylon Powder (SLS), Metal Powder (SLM), Gypsum Powder (Full-Color Printing), Sandstone Powder (Full-Color Printing), Wire (DFM), Sheet (LOM), Etc. Liquid Resin, Nylon Powder Metal Powder Occupy The Vast Majority Of The Industrial 3D Printing Market.

The Materials Used For CNC Precision Machining Are All In The Form Of Plates. By Measuring The Length, Width, Height Wear Of The Parts, We Cut The Plates Of Corresponding Size For Machining. Huiwen Zhizao Is A Machining Factory With More Than Ten Years Of CNC Machining Experience . It Has A Full Range Of Equipment, Including CNC Lathe/Milling/Grinding/Drilling/Machining. Partners With Parts Machining Needs Are Welcome To Call Us For Quotation.

CNC Machining Has More Material Options Than 3D Printing. General Hardware Plastic Plates Can Be Processed By CNC Machining , The Density Of The Molded Parts Is Better Than That Of 3D Printing.

2. Part Differences Due To Molding Principles

Since 3D Printing Is A Kind Of Additive Manufacturing, Its Principle Is To Cut The Model Into N Layers/N Points, Then Stack Them Up Layer By Layer/Point By Point In Order, Just Like Building Blocks. Therefore, 3D Printing Can Effectively Process Produce Parts With Complex Structures, Such As Hollow Parts, While CNC Has Difficulty In Processing Hollow Parts.

CNC Machining Is A Subtractive Manufacturing Method. Various Cutting Tools Are Used To Cut Out The Required Parts According To The Programmed Tool Path At High Speed. Therefore, CNC Precision Machining Can Only Produce Fillets With A Certain Curvature, But Cannot Directly Produce Internal Right Angles. It Must Be Achieved Through Processes Such As Wire Cutting/Sparking. There Is No Problem With CNC Machining Of External Right Angles. Therefore, Parts With Internal Right Angles Can Be Produced By 3D Printing. There Is Also The Curved Surface. If The Curved Surface Area Of The Part Is Relatively Large, It Is Also Recommended To Choose 3D Printing. CNC Machining Of Curved Surfaces Is Time-Consuming, If The Programming Machine Operator Are Experienced Enough, It Is Easy To Leave Obvious Lines On The Parts.

No Wonder Some People Say That 3D Printing Is Like Piling Up Cake Flour Into A Cake, While CNC Is Like Cutting A Big Cake Into Small Pieces. It Is Really Simple Easy To Understand This Way.

3. Differences In Operating Software

Most 3D Printing Slice Software Is Easy To Use. Even Laymen Can Become Proficient In Using Slice Software In One Two Days With Professional Guidance. Because Slice Software Is Currently Optimized To Be Very Simple, Supports Can Be Automatically Generated, Which Is Why 3D Printing Can Be Popularized To Individual Users.

CNC Programming Software Is Much More Complicated Requires Professionals To Operate. People With No Basic Knowledge Usually Need To Learn For About Half A Year. In Addition, A CNC Machine Operator Is Required To Operate The CNC Machine. The More Commonly Used Ones Are UG, MASTERCAM, CIMATRON, Domestic Precision Carving. Learning These Software Is Still Difficult. Huiwen Has Long Been Committed To The Processing Of High-Precision, Difficult, Easily Deformed Metal Plastic Parts , Small Medium-Volume Production Manufacturing Of Light Alloy Composite Material Parts (Such As Aluminum Alloy, Carbon Fiber, Etc.),  Robot Parts Procurement Customization Services.

Because Programming Is Very Complicated, There Can Be Many CNC Processing Options For A Component, While 3D Printing Will Only Have A Small Impact On Processing Time Consumables Due To Placement, Which Is Relatively Objective.

4. Differences In Post-Processing

There Are Many Post-Processing Options For 3D Printed Parts, Generally Grinding, Painting, Deburring, Dyeing, Etc.

There Are Many Options For Post-Processing Of CNC Machined Parts, Including Grinding, Painting, Deburring, Electroplating, Silk Screen Printing, Pad Printing, Metal Oxidation, Laser Engraving, Sand Blasting, Etc.

There Is A Sequence Of Learning A Specialization In Skills. CNC Machining 3D Printing Each Have Their Own Advantages Disadvantages. Choosing The Right Processing Technology Plays A Vital Role In Your Prototype Project.