Are consumer level 3D printers able to print plastic objects of similar quality to ones produced using injection molding? Or is 3D printing useful mostly for the prototyping stage before a design is finalized and a steel mold is produced for injection molding?

  • Lampenoel@feddit.de
    0·
    1 year ago

    It depends on how you define quality.

    • If you define it by general shape and tolerances, 3d printing can(!) achieve a comparable quality.
    • if you define it by it’s surface finish, SLA prints can but it’s nearly impossible with FDM (at least currently).
    • and if you define it, by its tensile strength or mechanical properties injection molded pieces wil probably always have an edge over 3d prints because of their anisotropic behaviour (meaning the piece can endure forces differently depending on the direction)

    And of course as already mentioned injection molding is a much better fit for mass production.