Design Tips
Read in-depth articles on rapid manufacturing processes, design tips and material consideration.
Design Guidelines for CNC Milled Parts
Like any other manufacturing process, CNC milling requires the careful application of design for manufacturing (DfM) principles. Although CNC mills — and 5-axis machining centers to an even greater extent — can produce a wide range of parts in a variety of metals and plastics, there are certain design constraints that must be respected in […]
A guide to thread types
Whether you’re making sheet metal, injection molded, or CNC machined parts, threads are a simple way to facilitate assembly of multiple components. Over many decades of manufacturing, threads have become standardized, so components made by different manufacturers can still be joined together with standard fasteners. However, despite the universality of threads, there are still many […]
How to design living hinges for injection molding or 3D printing
Like any other manufacturing process, CNC milling requires the careful application of design for manufacturing (DfM) principles. Although CNC mills — and 5-axis machining centers to an even greater extent — can produce a wide range of parts in a variety of metals and plastics, there are certain design constraints that must be respected in […]
Design for CNC Machining: Restrictions & Considerations
CNC machining is a marvelous technology that offers a range of possibilities for accurate parts, but your end-product is only as good as the design you set out with. There are some major considerations one has to make when developing any machined part, taking into account its full geometry. As of yet, such guidelines are […]
5 tips for creating professional prototypes
Whatever your line of work, physical prototypes are an important part of product development, bridging the gap between ideas and production. Prototypes can be used to assess the physical performance of a part, to pitch ideas to potential investors and to provide proof of concept. In some ways, they’re as important as the finished product. […]
How Generative Design Leads to Better Parts
When creating a part or a product, the first step is often the hardest. Even if you are a highly skilled CAD expert, a professional engineer or a handy machinist, it can sometimes be difficult to step back and ask: How should this part be? What specific shape and arrangement would best serve its purpose? […]
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Things to consider when adding text, lettering and symbol to parts
There are a thousand reasons why you might want to add text to a part. For an item of self-assembly furniture, text may be needed to explain how one part slots into another. For an electronic part, text can provide crucial safety instructions that are required by law. Other components simply display a company’s name […]
View MoreDesigning Parts for Injection Molding: 6 Things to Consider
Injection molding is an important manufacturing process used to make car parts, packaging, toys and many other products. During the injection molding process, a molten material — often a thermoplastic — is injected into a mold cavity. When the materials cools down, it can be removed from the mold as a finished product. Using this […]
10 Tips for Cutting Costs on Your CNC Machining Parts
Several things can affect the cost of CNC Machining parts, including materials, design, finishes, quantity, and turnaround time. Typically, the most important is how much time it takes to machine your parts. This can influence cost even more than the cost of materials, setup time, or finishing type. Machining time is directly affected by the […]
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