Unlike many prototyping companies, we have both technologies in-house and can provide a truly unbiased opinion on which would be best for any given component. Together, the functional requirements, material and geometry will determine whether a part should be CNC machined or 3D printed but customers are always welcome to discuss it with us. If the part needs to withstand moisture, temperature extremes, contact with chemicals or heavy loads, then it is most likely that machining from metal will be better than 3D printed. As with 3D printing, parts produced by CNC milling can incorporate text, either raised or recessed. Small threaded holes can be produced automatically during the CNC machining operation, rather than being tapped manually after 3D printing. Often the cost for CNC machining is less than for 3D printing and, if functional parts have features in different orientations, CNC machining from solid material avoids the problem that can occur with additive manufacturing, in which the material properties are not isotropic.įurthermore, CNC machining can be used with most solid materials, whereas the material choice for each 3D printing technology is always limited. In reality, most CNC machined features have tolerances considerably tighter than ☐.1mm, depending on the material and type of feature. We quote a general machining tolerance of ☐.1mm whereas 3D printing tolerances are usually ☐.5mm.

One of the main benefits of CNC machining is the tight tolerances that can be held. But we do know that over the last 40 years, we have supplied parts for use in sectors ranging from medical devices, pharmaceuticals and life sciences, through to industrial automation, transportation, consumer goods, electronics, IT and many other sectors. In most cases we are not told what the parts are, what they will be used for or for which market sector they are needed. Here at Prototype Projects, our CNC (computer numerical controlled) machining suite has produced tens of thousands of parts for hundreds of customers, both locally in the Cambridge area and further afield. CNC machining is also excellent for low-volume production parts required by machine builders and companies manufacturing small quantities of high-value items. Whatever you need parts for – perhaps a proof-of-concept prototype, visual model to show backers, usability trials or any other stage in the product development process – CNC machining holds tight tolerances on metals and plastics, as well as being fast and cost-effective.

Isotropic material