1 | Vacuum casting | Lower than the injection mold, depending on the product structure and quantity, it is normal to be 10-100 times, lower than the injection mold. | One-time operation, can produce about 5-20 products, up to 2 times on the machine, the mold shelf life is only about 2 months. | Many times higher than injection molding part. Depending on the product structure, quantity and materials, it is possible to be 10-100 times more expensive. | Lower than injection molding | 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. | The surface color can be changed by spray painting, polishing, electroplating, 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. | |
2 | Injection molding | Higher than vacuum molding, mold cost depends on mold life and product quantity/accuarcy. | Bulk prodcution parts can be produced repeatedly; mold life ranges from 1K to 1000K or more, each grade is different, and the mold price is different. | Low | Higher than vacuum casting and 3D printing, slightly lower than CNC machining. | The material selection is very wide, and you can find materials suitable for almost every scene. | 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. | Product demand is large and requires repetitive production; low product cost is required; there is no suitable material selection for other processes; | |
3 | CNC machining | No mold required | No mold required | Product cost is the highest. | High | There are certain restrictions on material selection, but most common plastics are available, such as PC, ABS, PA6, POM, PPS, PMMA. | The surface color can be changed by spray painting, polishing, electroplating, etc. | 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. | |
4 | 3D printing | No mold required | No mold required | Higher than injection molding, lower than vacuum molding and CNC machining. | Lower than injection molding and CNC machining, close to vacuum molding. | 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. | Can be spray painted to change surface color | 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. | |
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