Advanced Manufacturing Methods to Complement 3D Printing

April 03, 2025

Pressure Forming, Waterjet Cutting, and CNC Machining

The year is flying by and we’ve enjoyed our industry spotlights so far! In case you missed it, we explored 3D Printing tools in Education in January, delved into the world of 3D Scanning in February, and examined 3D Printing for the Dental Industry in March.

We talk about 3D printing a lot here, but other advanced manufacturing methods exist, that can either stand alone or be used to complement 3D printing. So this time around we’re focusing on some of these less-talked-about advanced manufacturing methods: Pressure Forming, Waterjet Cutting, and CNC Machining. As a bonus, we’ll shed some light on filaments.

Let’s get into it.

Pressure Forming

Pressure forming is a manufacturing process in which air pressure is applied to heated plastic, enabling the creation of highly detailed and textured molds or parts. This is achieved by placing a heated plastic sheet over a template. Once the desired temperature is reached, air pressure is applied to push the sheet over the template and hold it in place, allowing it to take shape. Excess air is extracted through an air vent to ensure the plastic fully conforms to the template, capturing all of its finest details and thereby forming a mold or final part.

Pressure forming is an alternative to traditional injection molding. However, It is faster and more efficient than injection molding and other manufacturing processes. Additionally, parts or molds created through pressure forming feature greater detail and exhibit exceptional tolerances.

Some common applications of pressure forming include the packaging of consumer, medical, and food products, dental and automotive parts, and assembly lines, among others.

Many materials can be used for pressure forming, including HIPS, PETG, and EVA, depending on their intended application. One machine we consistently recommend for pressure forming is the Mayku Multiplier.

Mayku Multipler for Pressure Forming

With the Mayku Multiplier, you can create high-quality molds and parts in just minutes. The machine’s industrial power allows you to scale up your project at record speed while giving you full control over every aspect of production. Make fully transparent prototypes, and detailed final parts, and cast complex objects with flexible molds. Create parts with a high level of detail and accuracy similar to injection molding at a fraction of the cost.

Case Studies on Pressure Forming using the Mayku Multiplier

• See how an NHS Hospital creates prosthetics and orthodontics, saving time and money with the Multiplier 
• A guide to pressure forming in education
• Utilizing the Mayku Multiplier for the dental industry
• Create product casings with pressure forming

Waterjet Cutting Technology

Waterjet cutting is a manufacturing process that utilizes a high-pressure stream of water, combined with abrasive particles to cut through various materials. Often used in applications where heat could affect the material’s properties, the Waterjet can cut through a wide range of materials including glass, wood, steel, porcelain tile, and copper.

Some benefits of using waterjet cutting include its precise and intricate cutting abilities, its versatility in cutting a wide range of materials, the use of water rather than heat to preserve heat-sensitive materials, and the application of minimal force in cutting, which reduces the risk of damage.

Waterjets used to come in commercial sizes, requiring a few square feet of work area to hundreds of square feet to accommodate their size. However, we have increasingly seen a growth of desktop-sized waterjets fit for small businesses so waterjet cutting can be done in-house, saving time and cost.

Wazer Waterjet Cutter for Desktop Waterjet Cutting

The Wazer is a small-footprint, industrial-caliber CNC waterjet that can cut almost anything and easily fits on a desktop. It benefits workflow in a variety of industries, like engineering, manufacturing, arts & crafts, and education.

Read more about the Wazer here.

CNC Machining

CNC machining is a manufacturing process that uses programmed computers to operate equipment, creating precise parts and components by printing, cutting, or manipulating material in various ways.

CNC stands for Computer Numerical Control, and some of the most common uses of CNC machines include carving and shaping intricate details into parts or materials. When used alongside 3D printing, they can create more complex features in 3D printed objects such as carving threaded holes or O-ring grooves in 3D printed parts, improving surface finishes, and reinforcing 3D printed parts for manufacturing.

Shaper Origin for CNC Machining

The Shaper Origin is a handheld CNC router that combines computer-guided accuracy with hand-held familiarity. It uses computer vision to understand its location relative to a workpiece and precision motors to continuously fine-tune the spindle's position along your intended cutting path. See how we used the Shaper for CNC machining at Shop3D.

Filaments

Filaments are available in different types, sizes, and colors, each serving specific purposes in 3D printing.

For example, PLA is the most common type of filament and is often recommended due to its ease of use and exceptional surface quality. In contrast, ABS is generally suggested for printing functional parts that require impact strength and dimensional stability.

The choice of filament is crucial in 3D printing. Therefore, it is essential to consider various factors when selecting filaments, including compatibility with 3D printers, size, and mechanical properties for your project.

• 3D printer compatibility: While some filaments are versatile and can work with many 3D printers, some are more printer-specific and may be incompatible with yours. It’s always a good idea to refer to your 3D printer manual or contact us to see which filaments are compatible with your printer.

• Size: 1.75mm filaments are finer and more commonly used. They contribute to quicker print speeds but get entangled easily, especially when not spooled. 2.85mm filaments are bigger in diameter and require more extrusion force than the 1.75mm filaments.

• Project: Your project is also an important factor in determining which filament to choose. A project that requires flexibility will need a different type of filament than that which requires durability and strength.

Want to learn more about various filaments and how to select the right one for your 3D printer? Join the Shop3D team on Thursday, April 10th at 11am EDT, for an ultimate guide to filament selection. Register here so you don’t miss out!

Special Offer

Get $251 off the Mayku Multiplier and 20 free HIPS sheets with every Multiplier purchase until April 30! Hurry, get yours while stock lasts.

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