Technology comparison chart for DDM, CNC Machining, Rapid Injection Molding for low volume production of plastic parts.
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Direct Digital Manufacturing (DDM), also called Additive manufacturing, is usually utilized by using FDM or SLS technologies. These production parts work really well for one offs or complex parts that can not be manufactured with traditional methods.
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CNC Machining uses high speed mills, vertical and horizontal, to make production plastic or metal parts out of multiple different materials.
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Rapid Injection Molding combines Rapid Tooling, usually out of 7075 T-6 aluminum, and Injection molding to get production parts out of an extensive array of material options in 1-4 weeks.
Below is a chart to show which technologies excel in certain areas. For more info on Rapid Injection Molding, please visit our Injection Molding page. Click here for more information on CNC Machining and here for DDM information.
The ranking of (1) deems the most favorable technology.
| Importance | DDM | CNC Machining | Rapid Injection Molding |
| Speed | 1 | 2 | 3 |
| Material Choices | 3 | 2 | 1 |
| Tolerance | 3 | 1 | 2 |
| Quantity | 3 | 2 | 1 |
| Revisions | 1 | 2 | 3 |
| Surface Finish | 3 | 2 | 1 |
| Complexity | 1 | 2 | 3 |