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Keep the Assembly Line Happy: 10 Design for Assembly Rules to Live By

“Perfection is achieved not when there is nothing more to add, but when there is nothing left to take away.” – Antoine de Saint-Exupery Your day isn’t going well when your boss quotes a French novelist at you. In this case, my design was rejected because my boss thought that it wasn’t “elegant”… What? Days […]

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First Article Inspection (FAI): The Guide for Engineers and Manufacturers

In manufacturing, quality control is engineered and measured. Before production launch, you need proof that your design can be built repeatedly as intended. That data comes from a verification process called First Article Inspection (FAI). During product development, engineers put considerable effort into ensuring the design is near perfect—from dialing in dimensions and tolerances to […]

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Adhesives for Assembly in Manufacturing: A Guide to Bonding Metal, Polymer, and Composite Components

Adhesive bonding is one of the most versatile and efficient joining techniques for manufacturing assemblies, especially when design constraints limit other options. Unlike mechanical fasteners that add weight and concentrate stress, adhesives create seamless joints that distribute loads evenly and reduce vibration. They enable cleaner aesthetics, dampen noise, and allow designers to bond metals, plastics, […]

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Tabs and Slots for Sheet Metal Part Design

As sheet metal fabrication advances and methods such as laser and waterjet cutting have become standard, designers are integrating sheet metal tabs and slots directly into flat patterns to eliminate alignment issues and accelerate assembly. These interlocking features act as built-in locators, reducing reliance on jigs while improving weld accuracy and repeatability. This ultimately results […]

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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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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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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 […]

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Audience Q&A: Injection Molding Webinar

During Fictiv’s expert webinar Inside the Digital Tool Bench: How to Engineer for Mold Success From Day One, hosted by PlasticsToday, audience members asked our panelists a wide range of practical questions on injection molding, digital DFM tools, and manufacturing best practices. Our panel included: Here are some of the top audience questions and answers […]