Differences in materials
3D printing materials are mainly liquid resin, nylon powder, metal powder, gypsum powder, sandstone powder, wire, plate, etc. Liquid resin, nylon powder and metal powder occupy the vast majority of the industrial 3D printing market.
The materials used for CNC lathe processing are all one piece of plate, that is, plate material, by measuring the length, width, height + wear and tear of the parts, and then go to cut the corresponding size of the plate for processing. CNC lathe processing materials than the choice of 3D printing, general hardware and plastic plates can be used CNC lathe processing, and molding parts density than 3D printing.
Differences in parts due to molding principles
As we mentioned earlier, 3D printing is a kind of additive manufacturing, which is based on the principle of cutting the model into N layers/N multiple points, and then stacking them up one by one in order, just like building blocks. Therefore, 3D printing can effectively machine and produce parts with complex structures, such as skeletonized parts, which are difficult to achieve with CNC.
tools at high speed and cutting out the required parts according to the programmed knife. Therefore, CNC lathe processing can only have certain curvature of the rounded corners, and can not be directly machined right angle, through the wire cutting / spark technology to achieve.
External right angle CNC lathe machining is no problem. So the inner right angle of the parts can be considered to choose 3D printing processing production Also the surface, if the surface area of the part is more also recommended to choose 3D printing, CNC lathe processing surface is very time-consuming, and if the programming and operation of the machine master's experience is not enough, can not leave a clear pattern on the part.
The difference in the operation software
3D printing slicing software is mostly easy to operate, even laymen in professional guidance can also be skilled in the use of slicing software for a day or two. Because slicing software is so easy to optimize, support can be generated automatically, which is why 3D printing can reach individual users.
CNC programming software is much more complex and requires a professional to operate, and a zero-based person generally needs to learn about six months.Also need a CNC master operator to operate CNC machines.
The difference in post-processing
There are not many options after the processing of 3D printed parts, generally grinding, oil spraying, deburring, dyeing, etc..
And CNC lathe parts after processing options, in addition to grinding, oil blasting, deburring, there are electroplating, screen printing, printing, metal oxidation, laser engraving, sandblasting, etc.
Above is the difference between our CNC lathe machining and 3D printing.
