TECHNOLOGY

Which One Is Better Between Injection Molding And MJF 3D Printing?

In today’s world, there are a lot of techniques available if you wish to create something. If we talk about the manufacturing field, injection moulding and 3D printing are the most come techniques. These are practical procedures to make complex parts. Let us understand both these procedures and know which one is better.

Injection Molding

It is one of the earliest industrial technologies and has not changed much in terms of fundamentals over the past decades. It gets used for high-volume plastic manufacturing. This process has put a substantial strain on the environmental resources. Not only is this technique old-fashioned, but it also offers lesser design options, flexibility, and customization.

MJF 3D Printing

MJF 3D printing is the process of transforming a three-dimensional digital model into a physical object. With the help of software, you can design a digital object and then convert it into a physical object by adding successive layers. In 3D printing, the concept is to add thin layers of material layer by layer to give a 3D impact.

MJF 3D printer prices are low and affordable as no additional setup or tooling is required. It is a fast and less expensive technique for small as well as big projects. You get absolute freedom of design here.

Injection Molding vs. MJF 3D Printing

Both technologies have their advantages and disadvantages. One technique may be beneficial for one project but may not be viable for another one. Choosing the best one will depend on factors like time, budget, volume, and precision. The following points might help you to decide between the two.

  • If you want to produce an object in high volumes, prefer injection molding. You can create a product of any size and complexity using this procedure.
  • MJF technology 3D printing is the most efficient way to create prototypes and for a small level production of a particular model.
  • In 3D prints, you get the opportunity to make changes on the fly. You can go to your software to make necessary changes as soon as you see something wrong. Injection molding, on the other hand, does not let you make the changes.
  • The advancements in excellent MJF technology 3D have made this process quick and less waste generative when compared to other procedures. For the entire project, you can use only the required materials, thus ensuring minimal waste generation.
  • The features like precision and repeatability make injection molding an efficient process for large-scale production. You can use different materials ranging from plastic to metals and thus create objects with various properties.
  • For mass production and creating intricately shaped objects, you should prefer injection molding. If you are not quite sure about your project, then selecting 3D printing will be wise.

Final Words

The approach in the field of manufacturing is different in theory and practice. Practically, consider the least expensive combination of processes and materials that will fit within the frame of your project.