Which is cheaper, 3D printing or injection molding?

3D printing
advantage
Low cost prototype manufacturing: 3D printing is an excellent rapid prototyping manufacturing process that can produce various prototypes at relatively low costs, thereby saving time and money in the early stages of product development.
Low equipment cost: Compared to injection mold manufacturing, the equipment investment required for 3D printing is relatively low. You only need a 3D printer and appropriate materials to start manufacturing parts.
Customized production: 3D printing makes it easier to produce customized parts. You can manufacture personalized products as needed without the need for expensive mold changes.
Disadvantages
High material cost: The cost of 3D printing materials is relatively high, especially for high-performance materials. This may become a problem in mass production.
Slow speed: 3D printing is usually slower than injection mold manufacturing. This may lead to longer production cycles for products that require mass production.
Limited material selection: Although 3D printing materials continue to increase, the range of materials available is still limited compared to injection molds.
injection mold
advantage
Low cost mass production: Once the injection mold is manufactured, the cost of each injection cycle is relatively low. This means that in mass production, injection molding is usually cheaper than 3D printing.
High strength and durability: Parts manufactured by injection molds typically have high strength and durability, making them suitable for various applications, especially in the fields of automobiles, medical equipment, and electronic equipment.
Wide Material Selection: Injection molds can use various materials, including plastic, metal, and rubber. This means that various performance requirements can be met.
Disadvantages
High initial cost: The initial cost of manufacturing injection molds is usually high. This includes the costs of designing, processing, and testing molds, which need to be paid in advance before production begins.
Not suitable for small batch production: Injection molds are usually not suitable for small batch production because their high starting costs are difficult to allocate to small quantities of production.
Long delivery time: Manufacturing injection molds takes time, so there will be a long waiting time before the project starts production.
In summary, both 3D printing and injection molding have their own advantages and disadvantages. 3D printing is suitable for rapid prototyping and small-scale production, while injection molds are suitable for large-scale production and situations with high requirements for component strength. In terms of cost, 3D printing is usually cheaper in prototype manufacturing and small-scale production, but in large-scale production, injection molds are usually more cost-effective.