CNC machining plays an integral role in the rapid manufacturing process. CNC machining has shorter turnarounds and have a high surface finish.

When you hear about rapid manufacturing (RM), you may think of it as additive manufacturing or 3D printing. Well, RM is much more than that. As the name suggests, RM is the process of fabrication of different prototypes and parts quickly and cost-effectively.

The models made from rapid prototyping here are then used to verify and test design a product before proceeding into the final development stage. It is crucial to carry out proper prototyping before the launch of a new product as this way the designers and engineers can determine their design flaws and product viability before full production.

Recent advancements in technology have resulted in 3D printing being cheaper than CNC prototyping in some cases and have a wider availability as well. However, other modern day rapid prototyping techniques such as CNC do have some benefits over 3D printings to which 3D printing cannot compete. For example, CNC machining delivers better surface finish along with significant cost and time savings – something very crucial to both the prototype developer and the client.

Additive vs. subtractive rapid manufacturing

3D printing is an additive technology under which the prototypes are built one layer at a time, on the other hand, CNC machining is a subtractive process where the tools cut away a solid block of material to make the final part/product.

CNC uses subtractive manufacturing technique

3D printing uses additive manufacturing technique

CNC machining involves two different categories of machines. One type is the 3-axis CNC machine while the other is the 5-axis CNC machine. 3-axis CNC machining involves the machines to move in X, Y and Z axes which results in the workpiece to be manually removed and adjusted more frequently as compared to the 5-axis CNC machining.

In terms of rapid prototyping, 5-axis CNC machines are much more favorable as they can work in two more axes and do not require manual inputs as much as 3-axis machining. High-end prototype to production rapid manufacturing companies such as Wayken makes use of both types of CNC machining techniques.

Key benefits of CNC machining

Though many CNC prototype services providers have full capacity to incorporate 3D printing in their low volume production technique arsenal, they still make use of CNC machining as their technique of choice.

Via CNC machining, prototypes can be made in different engineering-grade metals and plastic such as brass, copper, and aluminum as well as material like fiberglass, wood and foam. Though 3D printing has an increasing a number of materials to be used for prototyping, very few materials are available as of today for high-end product prototyping.

CNC prototyping is also a favorable option over other RM techniques because it can remove large amount of materials with exceptionally high accuracy and tight tolerances. 5-axis CNC machining can achieve +/-0/005 mm tolerance. For the 3D printing to achieve this accuracy and tolerance, the printing must be then done with print layers to be under 0.005mm. Such small print layers results in very long processing times.

CNC machining can also work better with metals as compared to 3D printing. CNC being used for a decade now has been improved over time, 3D printing, on the other hand, is still in its infancy and requires much more time, research and development for the process to be viable for full prototyping.

The future of CNC machining

Though CNC machining has been there for years and while new RM techniques such as 3D printing are the new benchmark for some, CNC is still evolving and has room for improvements. CNC machining even with such high-level advancements in technology require a human operator with the machine who much align the work piece from time to time.

CNC at the current stage cannot work with some industrial grade materials due to the limitation of the tools and machine. With the advancements in time and technology, it is possible that the CNC machines become fully automated and can carry out its operations on any type of material.

CNC machines are also expected to become fully mobile and a lot more portable allowing the users to carry out their prototype manufacturing anywhere at anytime they want. CNC machines being fully mobile will be a breakthrough in technology as the mobility and the portability of these machines still remains a huge drawback.

China is effectively working with many top prototype manufacturers to see where it can improve on its technology and skills. Rapid prototyping China is a nationwide goal of the country and it is doing its best to come up with best CNC solutions for the manufactures and its clients.

Getting your prototypes made

If you are on this page, the chances are that you are looking for your rapid prototype parts to be done in China. Rapid prototyping China has seen a great boom in the past several years. Due to which, the industry has seen many rapid manufacturing companies rise. Wayken has been the part of this industry for several years now and has full expertise in the field to cater to your prototyping needs.

Though many companies may choose to invest a huge amount of money in CNC machines for creating their parts and prototypes, this technology and way of obtaining your part/prototype is quick expensive and requires a skilled operator at the back of the machine. Therefore, it is a wiser decision to take your manufacturing and prototyping need to dedicated rapid manufacturing companies

As a prototype specialist, Wayken has a wide variety of in-house rapid prototyping tools and machines including state-of-the-art CNC machines, sheet metal fabrication, rapid injection molding, clear optical prototypes, and urethane vacuum casting.

With all these capabilities at its disposal, Wayken can carry out benchmarking for its many different rapid prototyping techniques and then use the best tool available for the job required. You can see all the satisfied testimonials of our clients here.