{"id":35544,"date":"2024-10-03T13:56:37","date_gmt":"2024-10-03T11:56:37","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.westcam-group.com\/news\/manufacturing-subtractive-or-additive\/"},"modified":"2025-02-25T15:38:26","modified_gmt":"2025-02-25T14:38:26","slug":"manufacturing-subtractive-or-additive","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.westcam-group.com\/en\/news\/manufacturing-subtractive-or-additive\/","title":{"rendered":"Manufacturing: subtractive or additive?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

In comparison: traditional vs. additive manufacturing<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n

Traditional or subtractive methods are still the number one manufacturing process in the industry. However, additive manufacturing is still on the rise thanks to 3D printing technology. What distinguishes the two manufacturing methods? What are the ideal areas of application? And what role will the two technologies play in series production in the future? <\/em><\/p>\n\n

There & away: Additive & subtractive processes<\/h2>\n\n

Whether at home, in art or in industry, there are two basic methods available to anyone who wants to create something. The first is addition<\/strong>. The end product is created by adding <\/strong>(e.g. layering materials on top of each other, assembling something). Secondly, new things can also be created by taking something away or subtracting something<\/strong> from the initial product. This process is known as subtraction<\/strong>. The most suitable method is selected depending on the area of application. It is the same in industry. In order to understand when which method is preferable, let’s first take a closer look at the two production methods. <\/p>\n\n

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Traditional: subtractive manufacturing<\/h5>\n\n\n\n

Subtractive manufacturing<\/strong> is a traditional method in industrial production. The starting materials are rectangular or round metal and plastic blocks<\/strong>, which are removed in a targeted manner<\/strong> until the desired shape is achieved. During the process, the material is removed by turning, milling, grinding and drilling<\/strong>. CNC machining is based on CAD data from a 3D model designed on the computer. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Modern: additive manufacturing<\/h5>\n\n\n\n

In additive manufacturing<\/strong>, on the other hand, the basic principle is that material is applied layer by layer<\/strong> to create the desired component piece by piece. In this case too, 3D data forms the basis. The 3D printer<\/strong> then produces the component. The printing process differs depending on the technology. The starting material is currently either a plastic strand, a liquid polymer or plastic or metal powder. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Advantages and disadvantages of the procedures<\/h2>\n\n
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Advantages of subtractive manufacturing<\/h5>\n\n\n\n