1. CNC machining
• It is currently a widely used high-precision machining method, which controls the machine tool to complete cutting processing by writing numerical control programs. It is suitable for various materials such as plastics and metals.
The precision of plastic CNC prototype processing can reach ± 0.05mm, and the maximum overall processing size can reach 1.5m. Mainstream materials include ABS, PC, PMMA, POM, etc. Among them, ABS is the most commonly used plastic material, while PC and PMMA are used to make transparent parts; The metal CNC prototype supports processing of materials such as aluminum alloy and stainless steel.
Large prototype processing can choose between whole piece processing or disassembly processing: whole piece processing has better performance but higher cost, while disassembly processing has lower cost but lower firmness and load-bearing capacity than the former; The tolerance of the prototype for multi-faceted processing will increase exponentially.
2. 3D printing processing
Suitable for small batch customization and production of complex structural parts, it can break through the structural limitations of traditional processing and quickly transform 3D design into physical objects without the need for additional molds and fixtures.
The advantage lies in saving materials, shortening the research and development cycle, and completing molding in a few hours. It supports special performance materials such as plastics, metals, ceramics, etc., but its accuracy stability is slightly inferior to CNC machining. In most scenarios, the accuracy can meet the conventional requirements of fixed frame prototype shells.
3. Vacuum replication processing
First, create a prototype through rapid prototyping or CNC prototyping, then create a silicone mold in a vacuum state and cast cloned copies of materials such as PU and ABS.
The advantages are low cost, short cycle, suitable for small batch production of 10-100 sets, good mold operability, and high degree of detail restoration of replicas; The disadvantages are that the finished product is prone to shrinkage and deformation, with an error of about 0.2mm, poor high temperature resistance (only about 60 ℃), and lower strength and hardness than CNC prototypes.
4. SLA laser rapid prototyping
Suitable for machining parts with complex shapes and fine surfaces, with an accuracy of ± 0.1mm and a maximum machining size of 0.25m. It can complete details that are difficult to machine with CNC, but the material is brittle and the finished product is not conducive to structural certification. It is often used in conjunction with CNC machining.
