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New Product Introduction (NPI) for Manufacturing: Tips for Team Alignment

Introducing a new product to the market comes with many challenges and unexpected turns. It’s never as easy as it sounds, but having a structured plan for team alignment goes a long way.  The New Product Introduction (NPI) process follows a structured approach to ensure a product moves efficiently from concept to market launch. Each […]

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Powder Coating: Process, Benefits, and Industry Applications

The next time you stop to admire the quality of your sleek blue bicycle or bright red grill, you may have powder coating to thank. It’s commonly used to enhance the appearance and longevity of products all around us. This article will discuss powder coating, the steps involved in the process, its benefits and drawbacks, […]

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High Volume 3D Printing for Mass Production: Where It Works and Where It Falls Short

3D printing, also known as additive manufacturing, has long been recognized for its capabilities in prototyping. However, can it also be used for mass production? The answer is yes—recent advancements have enabled 3D printing to transition into higher-volume manufacturing. Nonetheless, it is important to note that it may not always be the best choice. This […]

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The Best 3D Printers in 2025 – A Complete Guide for Every Need

So you’ve got a great idea for a new product, have a design ready, and can even picture it on store shelves. Now what? Many product designers look to 3D printing to test their ideas and get a sample in their hands relatively quickly and inexpensively. As 3D printing expands into professional and industrial use, […]

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Design for Excellence (DFX) in Product Development: How DFM, DFA, and More Improve Manufacturing Efficiency

When designing a product, you want to consider all the factors that will go into its success over the course of the development process. For most companies, this involves making the best quality product at the lowest possible cost. Design for Excellence (DFX) is a modern product development approach and umbrella term that encompasses several […]

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3D Printed Molds: A Cost-Effective Alternative for Low-Volume Production and Prototyping

Are you ready to scale your design from prototyping to production quantities? If so, various bridge production methods can help you ramp up to higher volumes. You’ve likely heard of 3D printing for prototyping and injection molding for production, but you may not know about using the two together. 3D printing can provide on-demand tooling, […]

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CNC Machining Coolants and Cutting Fluids: Types, Benefits, and Best Practices

If you’ve ever seen a CNC machine operate, you know it’s loud, hot, and fast. Managing heat and friction in CNC machining is critical to maintaining precision and tool longevity. Excessive heat, primarily generated by friction between the cutting tool and the workpiece, can lead to premature tool wear, poor surface finishes, and even material […]

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Copper in Manufacturing: Properties, Types, Processes, and Industry Applications

Copper is an incredible metal and element that powers the world in various applications, from electronics to piping, and even as a coenzyme in the human body. What is Copper? Copper is likely powering something near you at this very moment. Derived from the Latin word Cuprum meaning “from Cyprus,” Copper (Cu)  has been used […]

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Fictiv and EVCO Plastics Announce Strategic Partnership to Deliver End-to-End Injection Molding Supply Chain Solutions

Strategic Collaboration Aims to Tariff-Proof Manufacturing for U.S. OEMs SAN FRANCISCO, April 8, 2025 — Fictiv, a global supply chain solutions leader, has created a strategic partnership with EVCO Plastics, a leading custom plastics and contract manufacturer, to revolutionize injection molding services. This alliance combines Fictiv’s digitally connected global supply chain with EVCO’s extensive manufacturing […]

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Tariffs: Finding the Way Forward 

I’d like to take you back to my days as a Division I rower at Stanford. For many college athletes, you spend thousands of training hours on the water for a race that takes mere minutes. What does this have to do with tariffs? Let me explain. As you navigate tariffs, you want to find […]