Latest

Article

Design for Sustainability (DFS): A Guide for Engineering More Eco-Friendly Products

We want the products we design to last — to perform reliably, win market adoption, and deliver long-term value. But it’s not ideal if they last forever in a landfill, or negatively impact the planet we depend on.  That balance is at the heart of sustainable product design. As environmental awareness grows and regulations become […]

Article

Design for Manufacturing (DFM): A Guide for Smarter and More Efficient Production

Not every design leads to a successful product, even if it theoretically looks flawless. The difference often comes down to Design for Manufacturing (DFM), aka Design for Manufacturability, which involves considering the manufacturing process from the start. A design that seems perfect in CAD can quickly run into real-world roadblocks once it’s time to start […]

Article

Wall Thickness for Injection Molding Best Practices

Plastic injection molding can produce anywhere from a few hundred to a few million parts. To ensure that parts are produced consistently, with minimal defects, and at the lowest possible cost, designers should follow some established guidelines. Wall thickness is a key consideration critical to the success of your injection molding project.  Download Fictiv’s Injection […]

Article

Cable Strain-Relief: Design Tips for Durability and Aesthetic Appeal

You reach over to plug in your phone, and you feel that spark — and not in a metaphorical “I love this product!” kind of way. The wire’s insulation is cracked, and yet another charging cable is about to make its way to a landfill. And you have to make a midnight run to the […]

Article

How To Make a Great Engineering Drawing Manufacturers Will Understand

Before the invention of CNC (Computer Numerical Control), machinists relied solely on 2D engineering drawings to determine machining steps and parameters. Manufacturing has come a long way since then, thanks to precise 3D modeling and CAM (Computer Aided Manufacturing) programs.  In 2022, we’re fortunate to be able to import solid 3D models into a CNC […]

Article

Precision CNC Machining: How Can You Make Your Parts More Precise?

When you hear precision CNC machining, what comes to mind? Isn’t all CNC machining “precision?” In a sense, yes. CNC machining allows you quickly manufacture precise parts in large volumes. However, it goes much further than that. In this article, we’ll discuss: So What Does Precision Really Mean? Precision and accuracy are often confused and […]

Article

Recommended Wall Thickness for 3D Printing

One of the most important considerations when designing parts for 3D printing in 2022 is the 3D printing wall thickness, sometimes referred to as the wall thickness. While 3D printing makes prototyping easier than ever—not only in terms of cost and speed, but also in regards to DFM (design for manufacturing), you can’t disregard DFM […]

Article

3 Tips for Stronger 3D Printed Parts

Depending on the intended use case for your 3D printed part, structural integrity can be a crucial ingredient. It could be a matter of ensuring that your product doesn’t collapse when used or even a matter of ensuring user safety. The world in 2022 seeing a vastly accelerated need for 3D printed parts in mult-disciplinary […]

Article

Stress Concentrations: How to Identify and Reduce Them in Your Designs

Today’s product complexity, along with increasing downward pressure on overall pricing, has led to an inevitable increase in the geometric complexity of mechanical components. The increased geometric complexity allows components to be utilized in an advanced way, typically performing multiple functions. This multi-functional utilization has led to complex load transfers, resulting in new stress concentrations. […]

Article

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 […]