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3D Printing With TPU: A Practical Guide for Engineers and Product Designers

Thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) is a versatile material that bridges the gap between rigid plastics and soft rubbers in 3D printing. It’s flexible, durable, and strong, so parts made from it can bend, stretch, and absorb impact without breaking. TPU has become a go-to material for applications requiring both flexibility and strength. Typical applications include wearable […]

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Flexible Materials for 3D Printing: A Selection Guide to Elastomeric Filaments for Soft Components 

As additive manufacturing expands beyond rigid plastics, flexible materials are redefining what’s possible—from soft robotic joints to wearable tech. Flexible filaments or source materials enable the printing of functional parts that require flexibility and shock absorption, conformability, and durability under repetitive strain. For mechanical engineers and product designers involved in applications such as robotics, consumer […]

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How On-Demand CNC Manufacturing Accelerates New Product Introduction (NPI)

As manufacturers across the U.S. and Canada bring production closer to home, the fastest teams are winning launch windows. Compressing the “design → make → test” cycle isn’t just about efficiency—it’s now a core competitive advantage. On-demand CNC machining, by intelligently routing precision parts to pre-vetted suppliers across regions, enables faster prototyping and pilot production […]

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Fictiv Welcomes MISUMI Representative Director and President Ryusei Ono to the U.S. Headquarters to Advance Innovation Across Climate Tech, Robotics, MedTech, EV and Aerospace

SAN FRANCISCO, CA — November 4, 2025 — Fictiv, a global manufacturing and supply chain technology company, proudly welcomes President Ryusei Ono of MISUMI Group Inc. to its U.S. headquarters in Oakland, CA. President Ono is the Representative Director and President of MISUMI Group Inc., which supplies and distributes over 30 million products globally and 80 sextillion […]

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US Machine Shops: How Tariffs and Recent Supply and Demand Trends Shape the Market

For U.S. machine shops, the last few years have been anything but steady, marked by an unpredictable mix of tailwinds and headwinds. Reshoring and record factory construction have boosted demand, while tariffs and cost inflation continue to tighten margins and blur forecasts. Here’s a clear-cut view of what’s gaining traction, what’s slowing, and how to […]

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Prototype Outsourcing ROI vs. In-House Manufacturing

As product development cycles accelerate, engineering leaders face a recurring strategic question: How fast can we prototype—and where does it make financial sense to build? With premium compensation levels for mechanical engineers (especially with seniority and years of experience), the opportunity cost of hands-on prototyping has never been higher. When factoring in loaded labor rates, […]

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Metal Assemblies: Fabrication Methods, Joining Techniques, and Design Guidelines

Metal assemblies refer to both the process and the finished result of connecting multiple metal parts to form a durable, functional product or subassembly. This can be achieved through methods such as welding, riveting, brazing, or fastening with screws and bolts. The approach used depends on the required strength, precision, and application of the final […]

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Product Development Expo (PDX) 2025: Training Session Recap 

Top DFM Tips, Finishing Choices, and BOM Consolidation Strategies  In October 2025, Fictiv’s manufacturing experts hosted an in-depth training session in Mesa, AZ, covering advanced topics in surface finishing, Bill of Materials (BOM) consolidation, and Design for Manufacturing (DFM)—including guidelines to follow and when to push their limits. Led by Robbie Long, Tessa Axsom, and […]

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Warping in Injection Molding: Causes, Prevention, and Troubleshooting Guide

Warping is a common defect in injection molding that creates distortion of a plastic part after ejection. Warpage is caused by uneven shrinkage, as a result of residual stresses or cooling imbalances, and often appears as twisting, bending, or dimensional inaccuracy.  Root causes include nonuniform wall thickness, improper mold design, material shrinkage rates, and inadequate […]

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Heat Staking in Product Design: Process, Geometry Guidelines, and Applications

Heat staking is a process that reshapes thermoplastic features to form secure mechanical connections with other components. It offers a clean, durable assembly solution when you need to join plastic and metal parts without visible fasteners. It is used across various industries from automotive to medical devices.  How The Heat Staking Process Works Heat staking, […]