CNC lathes are definitely less complex than 3D printers. They operate in 2 dimensions and as a result the G-Code is simple enough to write by hand in many cases (while there is NO practical way to program a 3D printer without CAM software). They’re just a lot more expensive than an Ender 3 and require shop utilities like compressed air.
You can get mired in selecting appropriate tooling and work holding, but there are a million things which can go wrong with a 3D print also. 3D printers typically don’t eject projectiles in case of an operator/programmer mistake though.
The only thing that makes 3D printing seem simple is that the slicers are really damn good, to the point of providing a better experience than commercial CAM software.
The only thing that makes 3D printing seem simple is that the slicers are really damn good, to the point of providing a better experience than commercial CAM software.
Yes, this is what my claim was based on. Also I find selecting tooling to be much more complex than it initially seems and it is incredibly significant.
CNC lathes are definitely less complex than 3D printers. They operate in 2 dimensions and as a result the G-Code is simple enough to write by hand in many cases (while there is NO practical way to program a 3D printer without CAM software). They’re just a lot more expensive than an Ender 3 and require shop utilities like compressed air.
You can get mired in selecting appropriate tooling and work holding, but there are a million things which can go wrong with a 3D print also. 3D printers typically don’t eject projectiles in case of an operator/programmer mistake though.
The only thing that makes 3D printing seem simple is that the slicers are really damn good, to the point of providing a better experience than commercial CAM software.
Yes, this is what my claim was based on. Also I find selecting tooling to be much more complex than it initially seems and it is incredibly significant.
cnc is much more involved and expensive to have though.