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Design for Manufacturing and Assembly (DFMA): Principles, Best Practices, and Real-World Examples

There have been countless times when I’ve been putting something together and wondered, “Why was this designed this way?” If you’ve ever assembled your own prototypes or even furniture, you probably know what I mean. The best way to design for assembly is often to put prototypes together yourself throughout the process, but it helps […]

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Humanoid Robots in Manufacturing: Transforming Industrial Automation

Robotic humanoids are becoming increasingly common as critical hardware and software breakthroughs overcome long-standing barriers to creating viable and high-functioning systems. These robots are being increasingly adopted across manufacturing and related sectors to perform tasks traditionally handled by humans.  These humanoid robots are designed to replicate, substitute for, and enhance human capabilities. They are bringing […]

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Investment Casting Explained: Process, Benefits, and Applications

Investment casting, also known as lost wax casting or investment molding, is a precision casting process that produces complex metal components with tight tolerances and excellent surface finishes. It involves creating a wax pattern, encasing it in a ceramic mold, melting out the wax, and pouring molten metal into the mold cavity.  This article details […]

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Laser Cutting for Precision Metal Fabrication

Laser cutting has become a fundamental technology in modern metal fabrication, offering high speed, excellent repeatability, and accuracy. It is a precise, noncontact method for cutting metal and other materials using a focused laser beam.  Especially in the context of sheet metal fabrication, laser cutting plays a critical role, enabling intricate designs, tight tolerances, and […]

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Guide to international shipping requirements

Everything you need to know to import parts from overseas with Fictiv. We’re proud to offer customers access to a variety of manufacturing location options, with facilities located in the USA, China, India, and Mexico. Our global network ensures you can find the right capabilities, pricing, and lead times to meet your project requirements. Due […]

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Short Shot Defects in Injection Molding: Causes, Identification, and Solutions

With injection molding, achieving complete part formation is absolutely essential. A short shot defect occurs when molten plastic doesn’t fill the cavity in the mold completely, resulting in parts with missing sections. This not only affects aesthetic quality, but can significantly weaken the structural integrity, increase the chances of product failure, and subsequently lead to […]

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FictivMade: Quoting on Our Digital Manufacturing Platform

At this phase in the FictivMade multi-tool phone stand project, I’ve refined my product for production using insights gained from multiple prototype iterations of the original design. Now it’s time to get it quoted for manufacturing. In my experience, it can be helpful to get quotes earlier in a project to provide an initial sense […]

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Fictiv Officially Joins MISUMI

In a move set to reshape the future of manufacturing, Fictiv has officially joined the MISUMI Group Inc., a global supplier of mechanical components for the manufacturing industry. This strategic union marks a major milestone in Fictiv’s mission to simplify sourcing and accelerate innovation through digital transformation—and it promises powerful new capabilities for engineering and […]

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Fictiv Joins MISUMI to Power the Next Generation of Digital Manufacturing

The AI Leader in Global Supply Chain & Manufacturing Joins MISUMI to Build a Global Manufacturing Platform for Engineering and Supply Chain Organizations San Francisco, CA — June 18, 2025 — Fictiv, a global manufacturing and supply chain technology company, today announced it has officially joined the MISUMI Group Inc., a leading global supplier of […]

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Insert Molding: A Complete Guide to Integrated Part Injection Molding

Injection molding is an exceptional manufacturing method for producing parts at scale, but there are times when a single plastic material doesn’t cut it. Fortunately, specialized solutions like insert molding offer additional options for enhanced performance. Insert molding is a manufacturing process that integrates pre-formed metal or plastic components into a complete part during the […]