No tooling vs invest.
Volume decides.
Cost crossover.
CNC needs no tooling — quick start, higher per-part cost. Molding needs tool investment but cheap per part. Volume determines economic choice.
Key principles.
None vs $20-100K
CNC: no tool. Injection mold: $20-100K. Crossover above 1000-5000 parts typically.
High vs low
CNC: $20-200/part typical. Molded: $0.50-10/part typical. 5-20× ratio.
Fast vs slow
CNC: 1-3 weeks. Mold: 8-12 weeks build + parts. Total 12-16 week ramp.
Any vs molded
CNC: any geometry. Molding: requires draft, no undercuts (or slides), uniform walls.
Any solid vs plastic
CNC: any. Molding: thermoplastics primarily. Material selection narrower.
±0.025 vs ±0.1
CNC: tighter. Molding: ±0.1-0.3 mm typical. CNC for precision.
FAQ
At what volume crossover?
Typically 1000-5000 parts depending on complexity. Simple geometry: lower. Complex molded geometry: higher.
Bridge to production?
Rapid injection mold (aluminum tool, 14-day): bridges between CNC prototype and steel production tool.
Material match?
Real production plastics in molding (PP, ABS, PC). CNC plastic bar stock similar but not identical.
Geometry constraints?
Molding: draft 1-2°, uniform walls, no undercuts (or slides). CNC: any geometry within tool reach.
Quality differences?
Molded: very repeatable, consistent. CNC: tight tolerance, sometimes more variation.
Both for same part?
Common: CNC prototype, molded production. Use CNC for design iteration, switch to mold for production.
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