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Search results for "material properties"

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Thermoplastics vs. Thermoset Plastics: Material Properties Overview

Thermoplastics and thermoset plastics are classes of polymers used in injection molding, CNC machining, 3D printing, and urethane casting. Like elastomers, another class of polymer, thermoplastics and thermosets both consist of long, repeating chains of molecules. Under a microscope, the structure of a thermoplastic resembles a railroad track while a thermoset material looks like a […]

Article

How to Design for Stiffness Using Material Properties

Improving part stiffness is critical for load bearing applications, and can be accomplished through both design geometry and material properties. In this article, we’ll employ many of the same formulas we discussed in our previous article about leveraging geometric structures to improve stiffness. However, here we’ll focus on material selection, altering the properties of materials […]

Article

Material Properties Faceoff: RepRap vs Commercial 3D Printers

We get a lot of questions about the performance of different 3D printed materials and technologies, specifically as it relates to parts printed on hobbyist vs commercial-grade machines. There are plenty of off-the-cuff ways of making such evaluations, but empirical data is certainly better. So we were pretty excited when we came across a recent academic […]

Article

Die Casting: Overview, Materials, Process, & Applications

What Is Die Casting? Die casting is a process where molten metal is cast into a mold, forming the desired part shape. Typically, a non-ferrous alloy like aluminum or zinc is used. This manufacturing process enables the creation of intricate geometries with a focus on efficiently producing large quantities of parts with high precision. Some […]

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Advanced Materials Guide for Injection Molding

The advent of CAD systems, additive manufacturing, and CNC machining have made the design and manufacture of complex part designs almost routine. Engineers today are tasked with designing components that may be subjected to a variety of factors, including extreme weather conditions, chemicals, bodily fluids, high stress or loads, impacts, and other elements that could […]

eBook

The Ultimate Guide to 3D Printing Materials and Applications

Whether you’re a seasoned design engineer or new to the field, understanding the critical importance of material selection in your projects is paramount. Incorrect choices can not only jeopardize the success of your project but also pose significant risks, including financial losses and safety concerns. In this guide, you will learn: