Shenzhen Alu Rapid Prototype Precision Co., Ltd.

Whether 3D printing (also known as additive manufacturing) is cheaper than injection molding depends primarily on production volume, part complexity, material, and post-processing needs. In general:

Low-volume production (e.g., prototypes or 1–250 parts): 3D printing is typically cheaper due to no upfront tooling costs and faster iteration.

High-volume production (e.g., 1,000+ parts): Injection molding becomes more cost-effective as per-part costs drop significantly after amortizing the initial mold investment.

Break-even point: This varies by part design and source but often falls between 100–2,000 parts. In optimized scenarios (e.g., in-house 3D printing with bulk materials), it can extend to 13,000+ parts.

Other factors include:

Upfront costs: Injection molding requires expensive molds ($1,000–$10,000+), while 3D printing has minimal setup.

Per-part costs: 3D printing remains relatively constant (~$0.40–$32 per part, depending on size/technology), but injection molding drops to pennies per part at scale.

Post-processing: Higher for 3D printing (e.g., support removal, smoothing), adding 10–20% to costs.

Iteration: 3D printing allows quick, low-cost design changes; injection molding incurs mold rework fees.