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Formlabs Form 4 3D Printer Beats Injection Molding Machine in Speed and Quality [video]

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Re: Formlabs Form 4 3D Printer Beats Injection Molding Machine in Speed and Quality [video]

#3
So 500 cycles on the injection moulding machine and 42 across the 4 3D printers. Yes, this is super impressive; yes, if I wanted <1,000 of something I am probably going 3D printer (cheaper, more flexible, less lead time) but it is still 50 times slower.

Re: Formlabs Form 4 3D Printer Beats Injection Molding Machine in Speed and Quality [video]

#6
post #5

They’re ignoring the time to cure and process resin prints though so doesn’t seem all that fair.

They also ignore making the mold, so I guess that evens it out? Mold tools are very expensive and commit you to a lot of design constraints as well as lock you in to minimum production cycles that make sense. I agree its not fair, thought.

Given the costs, I'm surprised they didn't do more printers, too.

Re: Formlabs Form 4 3D Printer Beats Injection Molding Machine in Speed and Quality [video]

#7
post #5

They’re ignoring the time to cure and process resin prints though so doesn’t seem all that fair.

There are post processing steps in injection molding. As you can see in the video, parts come off with gates on them that need to be removed. In the case of these printed parts, you can wash 1000 in one 10 minute cycle.

A full accounting and comparison of cost and time including post processing, in a general way that applies to many parts, is tough to do well.

Re: Formlabs Form 4 3D Printer Beats Injection Molding Machine in Speed and Quality [video]

#10
post #3

So 500 cycles on the injection moulding machine and 42 across the 4 3D printers. Yes, this is super impressive; yes, if I wanted <1,000 of something I am probably going 3D printer (cheaper, more flexible, less lead time) but it is still 50 times slower.

I don't understand your last sentence. If "you want less than slower." What does that mean?

Isn't it 3d printing end to end from idea to existing faster than injection molding for smaller runs?

Isn't the entire point of this video that for a 1000 part sample 3D printing/Injection molding run time were actually more comparable than one might think?

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