Today, knowledge of CNC Machining and rapid prototyping technologies is important for the selection of the right tool for the job.

The following guidelines will aid in the selection process.

Materials
RP: Limited
Material development has come a long way. A broader range of materials and material properties are available. These now include metals, plastics, ceramics and composites. Yet, the selection is still very limited. And in most cases, properties do not exactly match those of machinable, moldable or castable materials.

CNC: Nearly unlimited
Machining centers are capable of milling nearly every material imaginable.

Maximum Part Size
RP: 24 x 36 x 20 in. (600 x 900 x 500 mm)
Although commercially available units may not be able to handle an instrument panel or bumper, the available build envelopes are suitable for the majority of consumer and industrial products. Should a part be too large for the system, it can be constructed in sections and glued. An important consideration is the impact of size on time. Larger parts take longer to build.

CNC: Large enough to handle aerospace parts
From small desktop units to large gantry systems, CNC machining can fabricate parts and molds of virtually any size. Practically speaking, size is only limited by the capacity of the available machine tools.