Thought Leadership
From Prototype to Production: When 3D Printing Beats CNC and Injection Molding
A practical framework for identifying when 3D printing is more cost-effective than traditional manufacturing.
📖 9 min read📅 February 18, 2024Production
3D printing is no longer just for prototypes - understand when additive is cost-competitive for production.
Volume Breakpoints
FDM competes with CNC up to 50-200 units. SLS rivals injection molding for 5K-10K units.
Lead Time as Cost Factor
Eliminating tooling costs and 6-16 week lead times often justifies higher per-part costs.
Key Takeaways
- ✓3D printing competes up to 50-200 units
- ✓Complexity is free with additive
- ✓Eliminating tooling justifies higher costs
