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Fictiv DFM Feedback Glossary

When you upload a part to the Fictiv platform, you receive instant design for manufacturability (DFM) feedback. Here are some explanations for why you received that feedback and what you can do to get your part ready to machine! Fillets to be added Explanation Fillets will be added to sharp internal corners or areas where […]

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When, Why and How You Should Switch from Die Casting Parts to CNC Machining Them

Deciding which manufacturing process to choose can be difficult; there are many different factors to consider. You may start out with a die casting process because it can deliver the quantity you need and meet your required tolerances. However, down the line you may need to change to a different manufacturing process. This may happen […]

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The Basics of Electrical Discharge Machining (EDM)

Sometimes when you’re choosing what manufacturing method to use, the requirements for dimensions, materials, and specifications make conventional production processes too expensive. Milling, turning and drilling to machine a block with openings and chamfers that will hold bearings or other components is complex and difficult. Of course, you can cast parts, but the up-front cast […]

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2021 State of Manufacturing Insights: Winning with Analytics, Automation and Innovation

We create Fictiv’s annual State of Manufacturing report to gain insight into the current trends, goals and concerns in the industry. In 2021, our survey of hundreds of manufacturing executives showed that driving supply chain resilience and new product introduction (NPI) are keys to success in a post-COVID world.  Because these topics are at the […]

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Fictiv Announces Agile 3D Printing Collaboration with Jabil

SAN FRANCISCO, July 07, 2020 – Digital manufacturing ecosystem company Fictiv today announced a new industry-first collaboration that makes Jabil Inc. a key part of its global manufacturing network to connect and streamline 3D-print prototyping through to mass-scale production using an innovative digital thread. Designed to de-risk and streamline the supply chain through quality, speed, transparency, and […]

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5 Reasons You Need to Use 2D Drawings

As an engineer, you’ve made many 2D drawings, because drawings are still essential to the manufacturing process. Given advances in design tool technology, you may also have wondered: “Why am I creating this drawing? Why aren’t we using CAD?”  Good questions! Computer aided design (CAD) and computer aided manufacturing (CAM) are amazing tools but they […]

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Computer-Aided Manufacturing (CAM) in a Nutshell

Computer aided manufacturing (CAM) has allowed huge developments in the automation of manufacturing. By automating the generation of toolpaths for machining, CAM allows people to manufacture complex designs and geometries that would be difficult or even impossible to machine by hand. Gone (mostly) are the days of writing hundreds of lines of G-code by hand! […]

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The Ultimate Guide to CNC Machining

Introduction CNC machines are the gold standard in precision manufacturing because of their speed, precision, and ability to hold tight CNC tolerances. The development of CNC machining has facilitated incredible innovations because it allows the design and manufacture of parts with incredibly complex geometry. It’s no wonder that this process is essential to make many […]

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CNC Machining Design Guide

CNC machining is one of the most widely used prototyping and manufacturing methods today, especially for metal parts. Most of the details, such as tooling, spindle speed, cutter type, and depth of cut, are taken care of at the machine shop, but there are some things you can do while designing your product to not […]

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EDM: Sparks Fly with This Gear Manufacturing Process

Gears can be fabricated using a myriad of different manufacturing methods. As you may expect, the profile of the teeth needs to follow specific dimensions and constraints in order to transmit torque, prevent slippage and excessive undesired contact stresses. Therefore, the fabrication process you select should accomplish the necessary tolerances and properties. This article will […]