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3D Additive Manufacturing Vs CNC Machining - AIP Precision Machining
3D Additive Manufacturing Vs CNC Machining - AIP Precision Machining
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Machining
There are a few key differences and similarities between these types of plastic manufacturing
that you should keep in mind for your medical applications. It helps to have a basic
CNC machining is a type of “subtractive manufacturing.” This means that the process generally
begins with a solid block of plastic material which is cut or shaped into the desired product
While CNC machining requires more initial setup than 3D printing, it offers repeatability,
accuracy for both large and small parts, and a wide range of polymers and composites to
choose from, as well as a variety of surface nishes. It scales easily between one-time jobs and
high-volume production.
Additive Manufacturing
3D printing is “additive manufacturing,” which means the initial material is built layer by layer,
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objects from reading a digital le’s blueprint. When working with plastics, you’re primarily
talking about FDM 3D printing. While FDM is widely considered the most quick and cost-
effective way of producing custom thermoplastic parts and prototypes, it also has the lowest
Another option for additive manufacturing is SLS 3D printing, which fuses together the particles
of thermoplastic polymer powders. This version of 3D printing has higher accuracy than FDM;
however, it comes at the cost of longer lead times, which can be expensive in the medical
industry.
What you value in your completed product can help determine which style of plastics
manufacturing works best for your needs. Some of your considerations should be:
Material Consultancy
Both CNC machining and additive manufacturing work with a wide variety of thermoplastics, but
those plastics react to manufacturing in different ways. Some materials machine more easily
than others, while certain thermoplastic materials are more prone to warping in 3D printing.
Your manufacturer should be familiar with your chosen material and be able to discuss the
process of machining or 3D printing it with you. At AIP Precision Machining, we have 35+ years
of material and machining expertise and we include consultancy as an integral part of our
manufacturing process.
Mechanical Properties
CNC machining ultimately provides greater dimensional accuracy and better performing
mechanical and thermal properties with fully isotropic behavior. If your product requires unique,
strong design with critical tolerances, then FDM 3D printing may not be not ideal; this type of
printing is inherently anisotropic, meaning it isn’t the best option for mechanically critical
components.
Medical applications, in particular, have unique considerations that ought to be taken into
account, both for choosing your initial material and determining how it ought to be
manufactured.
Precision Tolerances
Precision CNC machining provides close tolerances for your applications with a ne, burr-free
nish. In fact, 3D printed products for the medical eld regularly go into CNC machining post-
Extreme tolerances up to 0.002mm can be produced by AIP Precision Machining, which can be
necessary in demanding industries such as the medical, aerospace and energy markets.
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Quick Turnaround
Both CNC machining and 3D printing have quick turnarounds, especially when compared to
injection molding. Machining designs are crafted on the same computer applications used by 3D
printers, so there is no cost associated with design changes for either type of plastics
manufacturing. However, when time is truly critical, 3D printed parts can be delivered in 24
hours. Quality and functional usefulness, in this case, may be sacri ced for expediency.
AIP Precision Machining can guarantee your complex polymers machined in as little as 10
Volume of Production
Smaller batches, such as 1-10 plastic components, can be more cost-effective if produced with
additive manufacturing. This is because using a non-standard blank size increases the cost of
machining. Plastic machining, however, easily scales between small and large outputs.
If you require a high-quality product that possesses extreme mechanical and thermal strength,
orthopedic equipment. This is why—no matter what type of plastic manufacturing you choose—
you want to be sure you’re working with an expert who understands the importance of
sterilization, biocompatibility, and other traits that may be necessary for your application.
AIP is FDA and ISO 13485:2016 registered and has been audited by some of the most stringent
OEMs in the orthopedic and medical device industries. We process our plastics with strict
hygienic procedures.
Whoever you work with, be sure they understand the needs of your industry and have the
Click here to learn more about the utility of each technology with regard to precision ef ciency,
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