Although injection molding and CNC machining nylon are both strong manufacturing techniques, they are superior in certain areas. Various factors, such as project requirements, budget, production volume, and desired part complexity, must be taken into consideration when selecting the best one. Below is a summary of their main distinctions:
Production Process:
CNC Machining: Subtractive method: using a cutting tool to remove material from a block of nylon. enables complex geometries and customization while providing flexibility for one-off prototypes and low-volume production.
Injection Molding: Melted plastic is injected into a mold cavity to create the desired shape using an additive process. Excellent consistency and quicker production times make it perfect for mass-producing identical parts in large quantities.
Cost:
CNC Machining: Costlier than injection molding in general, especially when producing large quantities. While setup costs for each new design remain significant, the cost per part decreases as quantities increase.
Injection Molding: Mold tooling has a significant upfront cost, which makes it less economical for low-volume projects. However, because of quicker cycle times and more effective material use, the cost per unit decreases noticeably as production volume increases.
Part Complexity:
CNC Machining: Able to machine intricate features and geometries such as internal cavities, undercuts, and threads; extremely versatile. Perfect for prototypes, unique designs, and custom parts.
Injection Molding: Restricted to the mold's permitted geometrical shapes. Cost and flexibility are impacted by the need for more elaborate and costly molds for complex features.
Material Waste:
CNC Machining: Produces a large amount of material waste due to the removed nylon blocks. Waste is still a part of the process, but it can be reduced by using recycled materials and optimizing toolpaths.
Injection Molding: Reduces material waste by reusing extra plastic that is produced during the injection process. It can operate even more effectively in closed-loop systems that reuse runners and sprues.
Surface Finish:
CNC Machining: Requires extra finishing techniques, such as bead blasting or polishing, to achieve the desired look. Depending on the type of tool and the machining parameters, surface finish can change.
Injection Molding: Can attain uniform and flawless surface finishes straight out of the mold, contingent upon the quality of the mold and the characteristics of the material. Less polishing is required.
Strength and Precision:
CNC Machining: Control over internal features and high dimensional accuracy are provided. For added strength, parts can be reinforced with filled nylons or inserts.
Injection Molding: Using well-designed molds, it is possible to achieve high precision, but small variations may occur from cooling and shrinking processes. The chosen type of nylon and wall thickness determine strength.
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