CNC Machining vs. Injection Moulding
Choosing the right manufacturing methods are essential when you have a tight deadline or need a quick turnaround. CNC machining and injection moulding are reliable options, each suited to different needs. CNC machining offers unmatched precision and flexibility, making it ideal for custom parts or tweaking the design during production. Injection moulding, on the other hand, thrives in high-volume production, providing consistency and cost-effectiveness at scale.
What Makes CNC Machining and Injection Moulding Different?
CNC machining and injection moulding are designed to turn concepts into real, tangible parts. But how they accomplish this couldn’t be more different.
CNC Machining works by cutting away from a block of material to create your part, following precise computer-generated instructions.
Injection Moulding involves injecting melted plastic into a pre-designed mould.
Both are great options, but which is best for your specific needs depends on factors like volume, cost, flexibility, and turnaround time.
1. Production Volume
If you’re working with low-to-medium volumes or making changes to your design, then CNC machining is the recommended method. It thrives on customisation and small batches, making it perfect for companies fine-tuning their prototypes.
If you are intending on producing thousands (or even millions) of identical units, injection moulding is the better method. There are steep upfront costs, so the more you produce makes it more cost-effective.
2. Speed and Lead Time
When you’re on a tight deadline, speed is of the utmost importance. With CNC machining, you can get right into production because there is no extensive setup phase. Once you have a CAD file, production can almost begin immediately. This is one of the factors that makes it a favourite for rapid prototyping. It is a good choice for rapid prototyping which doesn’t have any room for deadline delay or when deadlines are such that thing must stay on the schedule.
3. Cost Efficiency
Budgeting plays a central role in which process you choose, especially if cost control is critical to your business.
CNC Machining offers lower start-up costs since you aren’t investing in complex moulds.
Injection Moulding has a high start-up cost, but if you are mass-producing then the initial cost shrinks.
4. Material and Design Flexibility
CNC machining is all about flexibility. You can work with a broad range of materials, including advanced composites and specialist plastics, which gives you the freedom to experiment. Plus, design adjustments are easy. If you need something refined, you can tweak the CAD file and run an updated part right away.
Injection moulding becomes much less flexible once a mould is made. Modifying a mould mid-production can be costly and time-consuming— meaning Injection moulding wouldn’t be ideal if you’re expecting to make changes or updates to the design.
When customisation, material options, or rapid iterations are essential then CNC machining is the preferred choice.
When you are mass-producing components, Injection moulding would be the better option.
5. Precision and Tolerance
CNC machining is unmatched when it comes to design precision. It delivers exceptional accuracy, making it ideal for components that need tight tolerances.
When Should You Choose CNC Machining?
Producing prototypes or small batches.
Projects with tight deadlines.
Creating highly detailed parts.
Scenarios requiring design flexibility and quick adjustments.
CNC machining is not only fast and flexible but also incredibly precise, making it perfect for businesses developing new products or needing parts on short timelines.
CNC machining offers many benefits with a wide range of plastic materials available and it’s important to match the plastic to your specific performance and budget needs.
Contact our team today to speak for expert advice and begin your project using expertly CNC machined plastic parts. Request a Quote or give us a call—we’re here to help!
Discover our other services including CNC Milling, CNC Turning, CNC Routing, Cutting and conventional machining.