Prototype: Vacuum molding, CNC machining, 3D printing, what stages are they suitable for? What are the advantages and disadvantages?

No mold is required. Part unit price is more higher than injection molding, lower than vacuum casting and CNC machining.

Mold price is lower than the injection mold, depending on the product structure and quantity. Part unit price is many times higher than injection molding, depending on the product structure, quantity and materials, it is possible to be 10-100 times more expensive.

No mold is required for CNC machining either. Product cost is the highest.

Mold cost is higher than vacuum casting mold, mold cost depends on mold life and product quantity/accuracy. Part unit price is the lowest. Bulk production parts can be produced repeatedly; mold life ranges from 1K to 1000K, each grade is different, and the mold price is different..

Lower than injection molding and CNC machining, close to vacuum molding.

Precision of vacuum casting prototype is closed to 3D printing, lower than injection molding.

CNC machining prototype is in high precision, and the complex and circular structure can be machined in high precision by short time.

Higher than vacuum casting and 3D printing, slightly lower than CNC machining.cumulated extensive knowledge about the quality standards as well as market needs of thesecountries.

The main material is resin, not real plastic. It just feels similar to plastic. If there are special requirements, such as high temperature resistance and chemical corrosion resistance, it cannot replace plastic.

There are limited materials to choose from. If there are requirements for high temperature resistance and chemical corrosion resistance, it is difficult to find suitable materials.

There are certain restrictions on material selection, but most common plastics are available, such as PC, ABS, PA6, POM, PPS, PMMA.

The material selection is very wide, and you can find materials suitable for almost every scene.

Can be spray painted to change the 3D printing prototype surface color.

The surface color of vacuum casting prototype can be changed by spray painting, polishing, electroplating, etc.

The surface color of CNC machining prototype can be changed by spray painting, polishing, electroplating, etc.

If it is a conventional glossy or matte surface, it can be polished on the mold or directly copied on the product after texturing. It can also be spray-painted to change the surface color, or it can be polished, electroplated, etc.

General design verification, or the customer accepts 3D printing materials and conducts some small batch production, does not want to invest in molds, and obtains products as soon as possible, etc.

When the total product demand is not high, vacuum molding materials can be accepted, and the product has not yet completed the final design, but a batch of products needs to be produced in low volume etc. The customer does not want to invest in injection molds, but the product cost of vacuum molding is also acceptable.

For single or small quantity requirements, customers accept CNC machining materials with high dimensional accuracy, generally vacuum molding or 3D printing cannot meet this requirement.

Product demand is large and requires repetitive production; low product cost is required; there is no suitable material selection for other processes.