From the course: Learning Fusion 360 CAM

Additive vs. subtractive manufacturing - Fusion 360 Tutorial

From the course: Learning Fusion 360 CAM

Start my 1-month free trial

Additive vs. subtractive manufacturing

“

- [Instructor] When someone compares 3D printing to CNC, what they're really comparing is additive manufacturing to subtractive manufacturing. The difference is that 3D printers start from nothing and build material up, while CNC machines start with a piece of stock, like aluminum, wood or plastic, and cut material away, or subtracts the material to reach the final part. As the cost of 3D printers and CNC machines continue to fall, we're even starting to see the two methods of manufacturing being used in combination. Now that parts can be 3D printed in metal, we're seeing 3D printers used to create the rough stock shapes that CNC machines can then finish. The nice part about this is if you have experiences with 3D printing, you're likely already familiar with some of the concepts that are used in CNC work.

Contents