3D Printing Strength

Comments debate the feasibility, material strength, and suitability of 3D printing for producing durable parts under high stress, pressure, or temperature, often comparing it to traditional methods like CNC, casting, and forging.

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LAST e.g HE UFP ABS IDC CNC wikipedia.org MakerBot SLA 3d printing 3d printing printed plastic metal powder printers cnc printer

Sample Comments

prawn Oct 10, 2021 View on HN

Why wouldn't it be 3D printed? Not strong enough? I assume it's a fairly specialised item and shape.

xxs Mar 5, 2025 View on HN

You'd need to be able to 3d print POM, though (or use CNC).

nradov May 18, 2017 View on HN

3D printing doesn't help much to reduce prices for mass market manufacturing. And the materials that can be used in most 3D printers still aren't strong enough for applications like this. Milling, casting, and forging can generally produce stronger, lighter parts.

jasiek Oct 13, 2019 View on HN

Does it make sense to 3D print these parts rather than injection-mould them?

yincrash Aug 17, 2016 View on HN

Can 3d printed parts handle higher pressures very well?

dTal Nov 7, 2021 View on HN

This comment goes a bit too far the other way. 3D printing is a manufacturing technique with its own possibilities and drawbacks which you need to be aware of, but it's very possible to make engineering-grade parts with 3d printing - for some things, it's even the state of the art. You can eliminate layer stress lines with annealing, and you can print interior shapes that would be impossible to injection mould. I myself have made polycarbonate fan blades, only a few mm at the thickest

lorenzhs Oct 23, 2015 View on HN

The end of that first sentence you quote, "must withstand huge temperature ranges and enormous forces", kind of gives away the answer -- this isn't made from "standard" materials. 3D printing is an amazing technology that's rapidly developing, but it's not quite that far yet.

dazhbog Oct 10, 2021 View on HN

Oh yea CNC'd is more likely. A 3D print would never survive.

wkat4242 Jul 3, 2023 View on HN

For parts, additive manufacturing (3D printing) might be a suitable option? You can even print metal these days.

rkagerer Mar 21, 2025 View on HN

Could a 3D printed nozzle of some sort improve its characteristics?