Latest

Article

Metal Parts Manufacturing: A Comprehensive Guide to Processes, Applications, and Industry Uses

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 […]

Article

Optimizing Manufacturing Supply Chain Management: Strategies for Efficiency and Resilience

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. […]

Article

Understanding Pad Printing: Process, Applications, and Comparisons With Screen and UV Printing

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 […]

Article

CNC vs. 3D Printing for Prototypes – Which Is Best for Your Project?

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 […]

Article

Fictiv-Made Part 2: Design for Injection Molding and Overmolding

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 […]

Article

Lean Manufacturing in Production Processes 

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 […]

Article

Just-in-Time Manufacturing: Streamlining Production for Optimal Efficiency​

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 […]

Article

High-Mix, Low-Volume (HMLV) Manufacturing: Production and Supply Chain Strategies 

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 […]

Article

High Volume 3D Printing for Mass Production: Where It Works and Where It Falls Short

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 […]

Article

Design for Excellence (DFX) in Product Development: How DFM, DFA, and More Improve Manufacturing Efficiency

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 […]