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Home Xometry Community Manufacturing CNC machining or 3D printing plastic part

CNC machining or 3D printing plastic part

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G
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hello! I want to manufacture small enclosures (electrical housing) that will be used in an outdoor application and need to meet IP67 standards for water and dust resistance (electrical housing). I’m evaluating whether to 3D print or CNC machine this part, considering material options and production volume (around 500 units annually). The design includes thin walls (around 1.5 mm) and precise snap-fit features. Would CNC machining or 3D printing offer better dimensional accuracy and surface finish for achieving a watertight seal, and are there specific materials you’d recommend for each process that is well-suited for outdoor durability?

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Solved by Klemens Becker

 CNC machining an enclosure will be extremely expensive, you will basically be machining away most of the material from a solid billet of plastic. In addition to this, snap-fit components are usually quite small with undercuts that will be almost impossible to machine, especially with plastic. The thin walls you mentioned will also be difficult to achieve via machining. So I would definitely advise against CNC machining this part.

    • G

      hello! I want to manufacture small enclosures (electrical housing) that will be used in an outdoor application and need to meet IP67 standards for water and dust resistance (electrical housing). I’m evaluating whether to 3D print or CNC machine this part, considering material options and production volume (around 500 units annually). The design includes thin walls (around 1.5 mm) and precise snap-fit features. Would CNC machining or 3D printing offer better dimensional accuracy and surface finish for achieving a watertight seal, and are there specific materials you’d recommend for each process that is well-suited for outdoor durability?

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    • K

       CNC machining an enclosure will be extremely expensive, you will basically be machining away most of the material from a solid billet of plastic. In addition to this, snap-fit components are usually quite small with undercuts that will be almost impossible to machine, especially with plastic. The thin walls you mentioned will also be difficult to achieve via machining. So I would definitely advise against CNC machining this part.

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        Klemens Becker

        Would a CNC machined part not have better tolerances considering I need to create a water and dust-tight seal?

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      • K
        Gregory H

        The design of the part more than the surface finish will dictate its ability to resist dust and water ingress. Have a look online for standard enclosures and how they are designed.

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    • Y

      3D printing is definitely the way to go, you will have to strategically place the snap joints so that the layer lines are not aligned with the direction of the applied force, or else they will break. You also need to choose a material that can work outdoors like PETG or ABS for example. The production volumes are also very achievable with modern 3D printers.

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CNC machining or 3D printing plastic part
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