Search This Supplers Products:precision machinery partsmachining partsauto partsspare parts
Prototype development, how do you choose 3D printing or CNC?
time2017/12/13
In the manufacture of prototype for supporting product development, 3D printing and CNC (CNC) milling machine is a process of two kinds of production needs to be considered the prototype, then in the specific application, especially when the design and product specifications are not yet on the timing, how to make a choice among the two kinds of technologies? Combined with specific cases, we can understand the characteristics of the two processes.
3D printing process advantages:
1. There is no need to use a mold to make complex geometries, without an impact on time or cost. It allows users to deliver small batch parts quickly and adapt flexibly and agility to design changes.
2, support parallel part processing flow, save time. A user can produce multiple parts in a single project, produce multiple versions of a single part, or produce multiple parts of a different project.
3, there is no need to use a variety of settings to make parts, without the need of operator supervision or intervention. After the operation is started, the equipment will run until the part is finished.
An example of time and cost
The following example uses a labor cost rate of $37 per hour. For the hour machine time cost per hour, these examples use a value of $1 for both 3D printing and CNC. For material cost based on expanded volume calculation, 3D printing uses $1 / inch 3, while CNC uses $0.50 / inch 3**. (taking portable pallets and industrial robot adapters as an example)
Quality characteristics
1. Materials. The 3D printing process can handle a wide range of material categories as a whole, but each technology can only handle a class of materials, covering a small amount of material in the corresponding category. CNC can process a variety of materials, each of which contains a lot of choices, and the limiting factor is only whether the material is Machinable.
2. Material properties. After CNC processing, the mechanical properties of the prototype are almost the same as that of the raw materials. After 3D printing, the performance of the prototype is similar to the performance of the raw material. It is also considered that, because of the layered nature of the process, the 3D printing parts are usually anisotropic.
3, CNC process tolerances are smaller.
4, the surface finish of CNC is better.
If only tolerances and smoothness are considered, CNC is undoubtedly the best choice. However, considering the comprehensive factors such as cost, manpower and delivery time, 3D printing technology has obvious advantages. So, when the 3D printing technology is currently used, the design considerations include:
The size and number of orders - Parts - - mass production of small parts is more economical
The size and design complexity - - - parts with high volume parts of the most complex and ideal
- parts of surface area and volume per cubic inch - frame and the larger surface area, more features
The driving factors include:
• rapid and efficient delivery of products
• ensure that multiple design iterations can be carried out
• can change the design.