Amin 1

Ravi Amin
AP English 12
Mr. White
10/7/16
Research
Until only a few years ago CNC or Computer Numeric Control machines were the
only way a computer could be used to automatically create parts for machines. The
machine uses commands from a computer module and creates a 3D product using
programmed dimensions. The machine relies on drill bits to carve the material the part is
made out of into the correct shape and dimensions. Now recently 3D printing has
become mainstream in industry for its new approach of building products up from scratch
instead of carving down. When owning a 3D printer it is important to know how to retrofit
the printer to suit ones needs. Also one must plan to research on if and how 3D printers
are phasing out traditional CNC machines. In order to proceed in my project one will
need to know if 3D printers have already become a widespread technological asset to
many manufacturing fields. Overall the owner will need to know if 3D printing will take
over the manufacturing industry by replacing the CNC machine. This all focuses on
research regarding the pros and cons of subtractive processes to additive processes.
3D printers are becoming more popular now, in schools because they are used
more frequently in lessons.. This is because 3D printers are becoming affordable and
they increase the educational opportunity in technology and engineering by allowing
computer models to become physical products (Samuels, Kyle, and Jim Flowers). Also
3D printers have been made much more precise to fit more applications. Some 3D

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printers have been made to print nanoscale objects with a much faster building method
called two-photon lithography (Nano Precision). Along with the affordability people can
use 3D printers mainly for prototyping by creating full scale physical prototypes to allow a
prediction into how new designs will work in engineering (Brown). The speed of 3D
printing increasing also allows for larger products to be built more easily, adding to the
flexibility of the machine (Nano Precision). The main reason 3D printers are emerging
so rapidly now is because of the new affordability that additive processes have.
Some companies have began to use 3D printers to make fixtures, jigs, templates,
and other tools, that can greatly increase the speed of manufacturing production lines
(Brown). However CNC machine benefits the efficiency, quality, and expense because
the CAD and CAM code are getting upgraded to make CNC machines represent the
physical world better (Loveland). Indeed CNC machine the Mosaic has been upgrading
the CNC standard by improving dimensional accuracy and surface finish with the
addition of real-time sensors (Ashley). Even though CNC machines have become better
3D printers are being manufactured much more with six times more units being sold in
2012 than in 2010 just for schools, engineers, and hobbyists (Brown). While there are
major new bonuses to 3D printing creating a surge of 3D manufacturing, CNC machines
have their specific function and are being upgraded in order to continue to produce high
quality products.
As for the benefits of additive processes or 3D printing compared to subtractive
processes such as CNC machines, where material is destroyed, educational
understanding is similar. Additive processing is where a component has material added
to it to be created, whereas subtractive processing starts with a large object and is

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carved and removed from the create a smaller part (Brown). There is little evidence that
3D printing and CNC building changed how students understand the designing,
communication designs, modeling, or love of creation. From an education standpoint
both are equally viable source of engineering education (Samuels, Kyle, and Jim
Flowers) . From a financial standpoint, 3D printers are becoming vastly cheaper with 3D
printers under $100,000 sales will increase by 75% to nearly doubling in 2015. This has
resulted in schools using 3D printers as part of the educational curriculum (Brown). As
seen in the experiment students are practicing with 3D printers, so they can create the
models without needing the skills to create virtual images of products (Samuels, Kyle,
and Jim Flowers). With the additive process speeding up the benefits of the subtractive
process is not as beneficial (Nano Precision).
Through the multiple examples of how 3D printing is the new approach to additive
processing or adding material, it is possible to see how traditional CNC machines are
facing a major challenger in an otherwise dominated field. With the new affordability and
speed 3D printers offer opportunities CNC machines could not. Considering 3D printers
are still usually for prototyping it will be some time before 3D printers and CNC machines
will be true competitors in the manufacturing field. Most likely when that time comes it
preference of additive or subtractive processes will be determined by the scope of field,
instead of the entire manufacturing field.

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Works Cited
Ashley, Steven. "A Mosaic for machine tools." Mechanical Engineering-CIME Sept.
1990: 38+. Student Resources in Context. Web. 30 Sept. 2016.

Brown, Alan S. "By the numbers: a big forecast for 3-D printers." Mechanical
Engineering-CIME Feb. 2014: 28+. Student Resources in Context. Web. 30 Sept.
2016.

Loveland, Thomas. "Understanding and writing G & M Code for CNC machines:
whether computer-aided drafting, robotics, machining, or design, technology
students benefit from understanding and utilizing procedural and conceptual
mathematics to solve problems." Technology and Engineering Teacher Dec.
2011: 24+. Student Resources in Context. Web. 30 Sept. 2016.

"Nano precision." Mechanical Engineering-CIME May 2012: 10. Student Resources in

Context. Web. 30 Sept. 2016.

Samuels, Kyle, and Jim Flowers. "3D printing: exploring capabilities." Technology and
Engineering Teacher Apr. 2015: 17+. Student Resources in Context. Web. 30
Sept. 2016.