Metal 3D Printing vs. CNC Machining-Who Will Dominate the Future Manufacturing Industry?

May 9, 2025 | Manufacturing Technology Trends

In the manufacturing arena, metal 3D printing and CNC machining are like two top players, each with a unique "skill package" to compete for dominance. Some people say that 3D printing is a future star that subverts tradition, while others believe that CNC machining is still the unshakable "big brother". Who will win behind this technical game? Or, the answer may be more complicated than we think.

 1. Current status comparison: When "addition" meets "subtraction"

The core difference between metal 3D printing (additive manufacturing) and CNC machining (subtractive manufacturing) lies in "stacking materials" or "cutting materials".

• 3D printing: stacking metal powder or wire layer by layer like building blocks, suitable for complex structures (such as internal cavities, special-shaped surfaces) and personalized customization, with a material utilization rate of more than 95%. For example, the titanium alloy hinge of Honor Magic V2 is 3D printed, which saves materials and achieves lightweight.
• CNC processing: "carving" parts from a whole piece of material through cutting, milling and other processes, with nanometer-level accuracy and a surface finish close to mirror effect, which is especially suitable for mass production. The titanium alloy frame of Apple iPhone 15 Pro is a representative work of CNC technology.

Key data comparison:

 2. Advantages and pain points: the "spear and shield" of technology

The secret code for the rise of metal 3D printing:

• Design freedom: It can manufacture complex geometric shapes that cannot be achieved by traditional processes, such as lightweight components of aerospace engines.
• Fast iteration: No need to open molds, directly produce prototypes through digital models, greatly shortening the R&D cycle.
• Material innovation: Supports difficult-to-process materials such as titanium alloys and nickel-based high-temperature alloys, but the optional materials are still limited (such as limited types of metal powders).

The irreplaceability of CNC machining:

• Extreme precision: CNC is still the first choice in fields that require strict micron-level precision, such as medical implants or semiconductor components.
• Scaled cost: In mass production, the unit cost of CNC is much lower than 3D printing, and it is more stable.
• Material universality: Supports almost all metal and non-metal materials, from aluminum alloys to engineering plastics.

Common challenges:

• 3D printing: High surface roughness (needs post-processing), expensive equipment cost, and slow speed.
• CNC machining: Complex structures require multiple processes, a lot of material waste, and large tool loss when machining hard materials such as titanium alloys.

 3. Application division: Which one is more suitable for your needs?

Scenarios for choosing 3D printing:

• Medical customization: such as orthopedic implants, which perfectly fit the patient's bone structure.
• Aerospace: Lightweight components and integrated design (such as turbine blades with internal cooling channels).
• Small batch trial production: Avoid mold costs and quickly verify the design.

Scenarios for choosing CNC processing:

• Consumer electronics: Large-volume products that require high surface quality, such as mobile phone middle frames and laptop shells.
• Automobile manufacturing: Standardized components such as engine cylinder blocks and gearbox parts.
• High-precision tools: Precision molds, optical instrument parts, etc.

 4. Future trends: Fusion or substitution?

In the short term, the two will coexist and complement each other, but technological advances may rewrite the rules of the game:

Evolutionary direction of 3D printing:

• Speed ​​and cost breakthrough: For example, Seurat's "regional printing technology" melts large areas of powder at the same time through pulsed lasers, increasing the speed by more than 3 times.
• Hybrid manufacturing: Combine CNC post-processing to improve surface finish. For example, Fraunhofer Institute's EHLA 3D technology combines the high efficiency of laser cladding with the precision of powder bed melting.

CNC upgrade path:

• Intelligence and automation: Optimize tool paths through AI, reduce manual intervention, and further reduce costs.
• Multi-axis linkage: Five-axis and seven-axis machine tools meet more complex structural requirements.

Industry forecast: By 2030, the metal 3D printing market size may exceed US$30 billion, but CNC will still account for more than 60% of the precision manufacturing share.

There is no winner, only the best combination

The king of the future manufacturing industry may not be a single technology, but a collaborative ecosystem of "3D printing + CNC". 3D printing is responsible for breaking through design limits, CNC ensures accuracy and efficiency, and the integration of the two (such as additive and subtractive hybrid equipment) will become the new standard for high-end manufacturing. As one engineer said: "Use 3D printing to create impossible shapes, and then use CNC to polish the perfect surface this is the ultimate answer to manufacturing."