The difference between the advantages and disadvantages of the 3 kinds of prototype production process methods

CNC machining:

1. Advantages: High precision, generally can reach 0.05mm~0.1mm, and the processing size range is large. Some CNC machining centers can process prototypes of more than two meters in one piece; the choice of materials is diverse and the surface treatment effect is good. It can process plastic and metal parts.

2. Disadvantages: charge according to working hours. For small and complex prototype models, CNC machining is not cost-effective.

3D printing:

1. Advantages: high precision, fast printing speed, and the hand plate with complicated printing details has advantages.

2. Disadvantages: charge by weight, high cost for printing larger prototypes; limited processing scale; relatively few printing materials, mainly photosensitive resin and ABS.

Vacuum compound mold:

1. Advantages: low cost, short production cycle, small batch (50-500) production has advantages.

2. Disadvantages: Affected by the thermal expansion and contraction of the silicone liquid, the accuracy is relatively low, generally around 0.2mm; a set of silicone molds can only replicate 20 prototypes, and less than 1,000 is more suitable for silicone composite molds.