A 3D printer adds material layer by layer. A CNC router cuts material away with a spinning bit. A laser burns or vaporizes material along a path. Many shops end up with all three because each one is fastest at different work.
| 3D printer | CNC router | Laser engraver | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Best at | Complex 3D shapes, enclosures, fixtures | Wood, aluminum and plastic parts, signs, panels | Engraving, marking, thin sheet cutting |
| Materials | Plastics, composites, metal via sintering | Wood, plastics, soft metals | Wood, acrylic, leather; fiber lasers mark metal |
| Strength of parts | Good, depends on orientation | Full strength of the stock | Not for structural forming |
| Safety needs | Ventilation for some materials | Eye and hearing protection, dust collection | Enclosure, eyewear, fume extraction |
Using them together
Print jigs and fixtures that hold stock on the CNC, engrave labels on printed enclosures, and machine metal parts where printed plastic would not hold up.
