CNC or 3D printer?
A difficult question that I have been trying to solve in Germany for several years.
I always used CNC to create jewelry and souvenirs. But when I moved to Germany/Netherlands, I had to ask myself how cost-effective it is to use CNC for these purposes.
Having extensive experience working with CNC (as well as with 5-coordinate CNC) and already having experience working with a 3D printer (for 2 years), I can draw the following conclusions
- If you need to make small bas-reliefs (from wax), I recommend that you buy a CNC. Even an inexpensive CNC costing 3-5 thousand dollars (which I consider not expensive at all) can produce products of much higher quality than a very expensive professional 3D printer. And most importantly, the cost of each product will be much lower.
- If the question is about creating sculptures or creating inexpensive jewelry rings earrings or bracelets for these purposes, the best choice is definitely a 3D printer.
Why is that?
Speed of work and ease of use.
The photo shows an example of a product and the stages of its creation (sorry for the quality of the photo). This photo was provided by my old client from Germany.
The task was to create a small miniature for further circulation of products made of silver, copper or brass.
Everything is simple, I created a 3D model and printed it on a printer from ordinary polymer, from which a silicone mold was subsequently removed. Then the process is standard (duplicate and cast from metal)
For me, the price-quality issue is important and it more than satisfies me considering that the product is only 7 centimeters high. Yes, the quality is not as high as on a CNC, but the low price tag allows you to have a much wider range of clients and also do much more work in the same time.
Sorry for the long text
Conclusion
I say YES to using CNC for bas-reliefs and definitely YES to a 3D printer if you need to create volumetric works.
But considering the crazy development of 3D printers, this information is relevant at the time of writing this
