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FDM, SLS, SLA, PolyJet, MJF technologies.
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Urethane Casting
Production quality parts without the tooling investment.
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The manufacturing behind Airvine's wireless Ethernet backbones.
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What Do Tariffs Mean for Global Manufacturing and Supply Chain? Tariffs are making headlines in the manufacturing world, and for good reason. In today’s global supply chains, a single tariff decision can impact a production line, affecting costs, lead times, and sourcing strategies. Few factors influence global supply chains as much as tariffs and import […]
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Sheet metal prototyping is a proven method for evaluating a part’s form, fit, and function before full-scale production. Modern advancements in fabrication tools and digital workflows have made the process faster, more precise, and closely aligned with production intent—allowing teams to iterate quickly and reduce time to market without compromising quality. Prototype fabrication uses standard […]
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Metal parts manufacturing is the process of shaping, cutting, and assembling metal materials into components used in countless industries. Its importance lies in its ability to produce durable, precise, and high-performance parts that meet the demanding requirements of modern technology and infrastructure. This article reviews key metal parts manufacturing processes for everything from large-scale components […]
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Manufacturing supply chain management (SCM) is critical in ensuring that design, materials, processes, and logistics are seamlessly coordinated to deliver high-quality products efficiently. Effective SCM optimizes resource allocation, minimizes waste, enhances production efficiency, and strengthens supplier relationships. By incorporating lean manufacturing principles, companies can refine their operations further to reduce inefficiencies and maximize value creation. […]
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As sustainability becomes a greater priority, the plastic manufacturing industry is undergoing a shift to adapt to the changing times. With mounting environmental pressures and a global push for greener solutions, sustainable plastic manufacturing redefines how we produce everyday goods. At the center of this transformation lies injection molding, one of the most common manufacturing […]
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Printing plays a critical role in modern manufacturing by enabling companies to add branding, safety information, traceability features, and functional markings to a wide range of products. Several different printing techniques exist, each suited to different materials, shapes, and production requirements. Among these, pad printing stands out as a highly versatile and precise method, particularly […]
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Looking for a high-precision, cost-effective solution for medical device manufacturing? Injection molding delivers accuracy, regulatory compliance, and scalability for healthcare innovations. It is a process used to manufacture a wide range of medical devices, from catheters and syringes to surgical instruments and implantable components. This highly precise and efficient method is essential for producing parts […]
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Prototyping is a critical stage of the product development lifecycle, allowing designers to validate their ideas physically before moving on to production. The prototype manufacturing method you choose is a make-or-break decision, as processes allowing quick and accurate manufacturing will enable you to iterate through designs efficiently, ultimately leading to a better end product. CNC […]
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When designing a product, it’s important to base your design on the manufacturing process you intend to use. It helps to consider this as early as possible in the design process, as it can be more time-consuming to go back and add manufacturing details later once the design is further along. In the case of […]
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Optimizing Injection Molding, Casting, Sheet Metal Fabrication, 3D Printing, and CNC Machining Lean manufacturing, a proven methodology focused on continuous improvement and waste reduction, has significantly shaped modern industrial production. It prioritizes maximizing value for the customer while minimizing inefficiencies across both physical (materials and resources) and process (time and energy) aspects. With its widespread […]
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The modern manufacturing landscape is constantly evolving, with a continued focus on minimizing waste and improving productivity. Just-in-Time (JIT) manufacturing was created with this philosophy at its core. It enables manufacturers to respond to changing market conditions and to meet the increasing consumer demand for high-quality products at lower costs. JIT works in conjunction with […]
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In this article, we explore the unique characteristics of HMLV manufacturing, its challenges, and key optimization strategies. What Is High-Mix, Low-Volume Manufacturing? High-mix low-volume (HMLV) manufacturing is a production strategy particularly beneficial for businesses needing customized, small-batch products. This type of production differs from mass production, where each item is made on a large scale […]
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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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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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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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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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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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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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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 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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How do you know if your manufacturing strategy is holding you back? Unexpected delays, rising costs, difficulty scaling up production, supply chain disruptions, and lack of innovation are red flags that your manufacturing strategy needs an overhaul. With the challenges and competition in product development and manufacturing today, staying ahead of the game is more […]
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Artificial Intelligence (AI) is transforming various industries, and mechanical engineering is no exception. When I started working as a mechanical engineer 13 years ago, I didn’t think much about AI someday replacing my job. Now, with the recent hype around AI, many of us in product development, engineering, and manufacturing have considered how AI affects […]
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SMED (Single-Minute Exchange of Die) is a trending methodology used in injection molding to reduce the time required for tooling changeovers in production facilities. Manufacturers can significantly boost productivity by focusing on lengthy die changeover times as a primary source of inefficiency while aligning with lean manufacturing principles in injection molding. This article explains the […]
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Injection molding is a fundamental manufacturing process that allows for precise and efficient production of plastic parts. In high-volume manufacturing, multi-cavity molds play a crucial role in meeting the demands of mass production while maintaining both product quality and cost-effectiveness. By enabling the production of multiple parts in a single molding cycle, multi-cavity molds have […]
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Product Concept Development This article will take you through the process of physical product development, starting with the essential step of developing the product concept. Problem Statement What product would mechanical engineers want to have by their side at all times? That’s what I asked myself as I embarked on this design project. As with […]
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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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Advancements in technology and shifting customer demands are shaping the future of injection molding. As the political landscape changes and the industry continues undergoing digital transformation, key trends such as mold transfer, automation, and on-demand production are becoming increasingly important. This article explores injection molding trends to watch in 2025 and how they will influence […]
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Your manufacturing partner and their location are critical factors to consider when it comes to part production. Many companies that outsource manufacturing or own factories overseas are nearshoring due to several advantages such as reduced lead times, improved communication and cost savings. Nearshore manufacturing is a trending topic in the U.S. due to these benefits […]
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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 […]
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What’s the best way to achieve low-cost injection molding? The first step is to identify and understand the sources of your expenses. Next, it’s critical to make cost-saving decisions as early as possible in the design process to avoid getting locked into a course of action that’s difficult and expensive to change later on. Discussed […]
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When metal is exposed to the elements or certain chemicals, deterioration in the form of oxidation may occur. The Second Law of Thermodynamics declares that everything tends to move into a state of disorder. After designing and manufacturing your products, the last thing you want to discover is a breakdown of a metal component in […]
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Known for quickly producing parts with consistent precision, injection molding is one of the most popular methods for creating high-quality plastic components. This manufacturing process creates parts by forcing molten plastic into a mold at high pressure, which cools and solidifies into the desired shape. It’s used across various industries to efficiently produce complex, durable […]
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CNC stepover is the distance between successive passes of a cutting tool during computer numerical control (CNC) machining. It’s a critical parameter because it affects both the machining time and surface finish of your parts. Different machining operations need different stepover values, and the optimal value to use also accounts for the tool and the […]
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CNC machining outsourcing is a manufacturing strategy that involves contracting with another company for CNC machining services. Whether for prototyping or production, product designers who outsource their machined parts gain access to advanced technology, leverage custom machining solutions, and avoid expensive investments in equipment and training. This guide provides an overview of computer numerical control […]
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Does the part or product you’re designing fully consider your customer’s wants, needs, and expectations? That’s where Advanced Product Quality Planning (APQP) can help. APQP is a structured approach companies use to design, develop, and launch products that consistently meet customer requirements for quality. APQP provides a framework to identify potential problems early in the […]
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We’re no longer in the Bronze Age, but some manufacturing techniques stand the test of time. Casting, a process where molten metal is poured into a mold, has been around for over 6,000 years and is still widely used and prominent in manufacturing to this day Advances in casting technology enable the casting of high-quality […]
