(Newswire.net — February 15, 2021) — Both injection molding and 3D printing are feasible options for producing complex plastic components and parts among most manufacturing companies. Initially, the two were termed as competing technologies; however, they are recognized to have unique advantages in today’s world. To assist in the optimization of production efficiency, organizations can utilize them together. Here are the key differences between 3D printing and injection molding.
Injection Molding
This refers to a conventional manufacturing technique. This technique produces parts through the injection of materials into the mold cavity. It shapes the products through the injection of melted material into a mold cavity. The material cools down and solidifies, taking the desired shape.
3D Printing
This refers to an additive industrial process, which means the entire process comprises adding material one layer after the other. If you use this process, you do not have to make a mold to manufacture your part; you only require a 3D file. Today, you can find various 3D printing materials and technologies in the market.
Usage of Each Process
Injection Molding
For you to use injection molding, you will require special equipment. The equipment has an injection ram, a heating unit, and a material hopper. Making a mold is expensive and minimizes the prospects as far as prototyping is concerned. Making iterations is difficult and also very expensive; however, it is great for massive productions.
3D Printing
You can apply additive manufacturing in various ways. If you require 3D printing, you can get a 3D printer such as Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM). Your organization may also invest in professional and bigger 3D printers like Selective Laser Sintering (SLS). However, it might be expensive for your company to invest in its 3D printer.
Benefits
Injection molding helps to produce big volumes with perfect repeatability and great precision. It also gives you the option of choosing among a wide variety of materials. The cost, flexibility, and material weight for plastic properties are endless. Another advantage is that injection molding produces very detailed features. Injection molding also makes it easy to generate parts that have improved strength.
On the other hand, 3D printing is the technique that allows for alteration if there is an error. This is a very reliable technique to use in manufacturing, and it offers quick and easy prototyping. Additive manufacturing is very flexible, and it helps to save money and time. It also improves the design of your product.
3D printing helps to avoid material wastage since you use only the required amount of material for the whole project. 3D printing also helps you avoid inventory and costs by enhancing your supply chain management and storage. The 3D printing supply chain is dematerialized; hence, there are no busy warehouses anymore.
Drawbacks
The entry cost for injection molding machines is quite high because they are designed for manufacturing use. When you use this technique to make your product, it will cost you money, time, and sanity if you need to make alterations or modifications. This is because you have to remake the mold completely.
On the other hand, 3D printing limits the number of objects printed simultaneously. Most of the 3Dprinters produce just one or two products at a time. It also has a limited build capacity. The final product in 3D printing has a rough surface. If you plan to apply 3D printing without the rough finish, you must add a step to create extra smoothing.
Finally, injection molding and 3D printing are both used in the manufacturing industry. The two techniques begin with a 3D design. Discussed above are their differences in terms of usage, benefits, and drawbacks.