Why choose short-run production in 3D printing before injection molding?
• 2 min de lectureShare
In product development, choosing a manufacturing method is a crucial step. Two options often arise: short-run 3D printing and injection molding. While injection molding remains essential for large-scale production, 3D printing is increasingly becoming a key step before reaching that level. Here's why.
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1. Reduce risks before a major investment
Injection molding requires expensive molds (often tens of thousands of dollars). A design error or late change can quickly cause costs to skyrocket.
By first producing a short series in 3D, it is possible to validate the design, ergonomics, and functionality of the product before committing to the manufacture of a definitive mold.
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2. Gain flexibility and speed
3D printing does not require a mold. Design changes can be incorporated in a few hours and tested quickly. This allows for:
accelerate the development cycle,
respond to feedback from users or customers,
test several variants without constraint.
This is an ideal approach for rapid iterations in an agile development context.
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3. Produce at lower cost for low volumes
If you need a few dozen or hundreds of parts for testing, demonstrations, or pre-marketing, 3D printing is much more economical.
Injection molding is only profitable starting at thousands of units, while 3D printing allows for on-demand production in small quantities, with no minimum volume.
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4. Test the market before mass production
A short 3D series can be used for:
to probe the market reaction,
present the product to investors,
supply parts to early beta tester customers.
This helps validate commercial viability before investing in an expensive mold.
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5. Access geometries impossible in casting
3D printing allows for the creation of complex, hollow, or weight-optimized shapes that would be impossible or very expensive with injection molding. This design freedom allows for pushing the boundaries of design and sometimes even influencing the final product.
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6. A strategic tool for start-ups and SMEs
For a business in the growth phase, every dollar invested must be maximized. Short-run 3D printing offers a progressive strategy:
1. Functional prototyping
2. Short series production (market and technical validation)
3. Transition to injection molding once the product has been validated and the request confirmed
This helps minimize financial risks while moving forward quickly.
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Conclusion
Choosing short-run 3D production before injection molding isn't just a matter of cost: it's a strategy that combines agility, security, and efficiency. You validate your designs, test your market, and gain flexibility before scaling up.
At 3DVertical, we support companies, engineers and start-ups in this transition, from prototype to short series production, to confidently prepare for the industrial phase.