{"id":43220,"date":"2022-11-15T08:00:00","date_gmt":"2022-11-15T13:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.shapeways.com\/blog\/?p=43220"},"modified":"2022-11-16T08:51:54","modified_gmt":"2022-11-16T13:51:54","slug":"3d-printing-vs-injection-molding","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.shapeways.com\/blog\/3d-printing-vs-injection-molding","title":{"rendered":"Injection Molding vs. 3D Printing"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

At Shapeways, we\u2019re agnostic to technology, with a dedicated focus on quality. Our goal is to make the customer experience as seamless as possible, from design and manufacturing, to delivery of quality products\u2013whether they may be injection molded or 3D printed. Making that choice can be difficult sometimes though as the choices in advanced materials, finishes, and techniques continue to grow. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Understanding Injection Molding<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

A mainstay in traditional manufacturing for nearly a century, Injection Molding<\/a> was created in the mid-1800s and is one of the oldest high-volume manufacturing processes\u2013relying on metal molds which are filled with molten liquid. Once cooled, the metal structures are ejected as solid parts. While the technique quickly evolved, Injection Molding hit its stride during the 1920s with automotive parts production and then during the 1940s as demand for economical plastic parts increased.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Manufacturers turn to Injection Molding when they need a high volume of accurate, identical parts\u2013generally of 10,000 parts or more. Benefits include the ability to scale parts en masse, as well as keeping costs down after making all the molds. In comparison to traditional manufacturing like CNC Machining<\/a>, the Injection Molding process results in less scrap and material waste. Because products are produced from one master pattern mold, every part that is produced will look the same. In a high-volume production environment that can be a major advantage, building brand consistency, quality, and product reliability.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Injection molding worldwide was estimated at USD 261.8 billion in 2021 and is anticipated to expand <\/a>at a compounded annual growth rate (CAGR) of 4.8% from 2022 to 2030. According to Grand View Research, Injection Molding industry growth is set to be driven by the increasing demand for mass production of thousands of identical components at lower costs\u2013coupled with design flexibility, and \u201cprecision from various end-user industries such as packaging, medical, and electronics.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Shapeways offers a variety of options for mass production with Injection Molding, whether project requirements call for thermoplastics, nylon materials, or metal. Typical applications include aerospace, automotive, consumer goods, and medical.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Delving into the 3D Printing Revolution<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Relatively new in comparison to Injection Molding, 3D printing offers infinite possibilities for innovation and is revolutionary. 3D printing offers myriad features rounding out the choices for manufacturers like never before. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Also referred to as additive manufacturing<\/a>, the 3D printing process serves in striking contrast to traditional methods like Injection Molding. Created in the 1980s by engineer Chuck Hull, who would go on to form 3D Systems, the additive manufacturing process originated from his desire to accelerate product development. 3D printed parts can be made in a fraction of the time, allowing for rapid prototyping<\/a> which was unheard of previously. Before the ability to iterate via 3D printing came along, engineers were forced to wait long periods of time\u2013weeks or even months\u2013before they received models back simply to begin<\/em> the testing process. With the efficiency and quick turnaround time in 3D printing, anyone can now make a prototype, quickly establishing and implementing suggestions during the feedback phase.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

3D printing became accessible and affordable to the mainstream public as patents obtained in the 1980s expired around 2014. The ramifications for manufacturing were obvious with expanded design freedom, rapid prototyping, and the ability to manufacture complex geometries. Now, the worldwide 3D printing industry is projected to grow<\/a> from $18.33 billion in 2022 to $83.90 billion by 2029, at a CAGR of 24.3% in the forecast period from 2022 to 2029. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

3D printing materials like metal continue to trend upward and are projected to expand<\/a> at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 23.9% from 2022 to 2030. Metal 3D printing is one such market that has benefited significantly from the growing necessity of rapid prototyping and advanced manufacturing practices. Not only is a rise expected, according to companies like Grand View Research, but the \u2018industry is poised to witness unprecedented growth.\u2019 Unsurprisingly, the reason cited is continued growth in innovation. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Specific verticals like aerospace 3D printing are also expected to grow<\/a> from USD 2.75 billion in 2022 to USD 8.39 billion by 2027, at a CAGR of 25%–while automotive 3D printing is projected to grow<\/a> from USD 2.9 billion in 2022 to USD 7.9 billion by 2027, at a CAGR of 21.7%.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Making the Choice: Parts and Production Requirements<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Aside from unit cost and order volume, additional considerations come into play when choosing between Injection Molding and 3D printing:<\/p>\n\n\n\n