CNC prototyping is one of the most effective methods to create high-quality prototypes during product development. Unlike conceptual models made by 3D printing, CNC prototypes are fully functional parts manufactured from real engineering materials. Many companies rely on rapid CNC prototyping to shorten design cycles, evaluate mechanical properties, and prepare for pilot production runs before …
In precision manufacturing, the final quality of a machined bore often determines whether a part will perform reliably in service. Conventional machining methods—drilling, boring, or reaming—can bring a hole close to its intended size, but they rarely achieve the exact tolerances, geometry, and surface texture required in demanding applications. This is where the honing process…
Among engineering plastics, Delrin (Polyoxymethylene, POM) and Nylon (Polyamide, PA) are often compared in CNC machining projects. Both plastics combine durability with machinability and are widely used for gears, bushings, housings, and small-batch prototypes. Engineers evaluating Delrin vs Nylon CNC machining typically want to know which plastic performs better in terms of tolerances, wear resistance, …
Steel remains one of the most widely used engineering materials, but its susceptibility to corrosion in humid or chemically aggressive environments has always been a limitation. Galvanizing—coating steel with a thin but durable layer of zinc—emerged as one of the most cost-effective solutions to extend the service life of steel. Galvanized steel today is used …
The history of rivets extends back centuries. Blacksmiths once used iron rivets to secure armor plates and ship hulls, while during the Industrial Revolution, rivets became indispensable in locomotives, boilers, and large bridges. Iconic structures such as the Golden Gate Bridge used millions of rivets during construction. Even today, rivets remain essential in aerospace—modern aircraft …
In modern manufacturing, metals often undergo extensive machining, forming, and welding before they can be used in final products. Each of these processes introduces internal stresses, changes in grain structure, or increased brittleness. Annealing is the most common and effective heat treatment to restore ductility, refine microstructure, and reduce hardness. From aerospace turbine alloys to …
Aluminum alloys are widely used in aerospace, automotive, and electronics because they combine low weight with good thermal and mechanical properties. A recurring challenge is how to join aluminum components while keeping structural strength, corrosion resistance, and heat performance intact. Two methods often considered are vacuum brazing and friction stir welding (FSW).
These two …
When aluminum is the base material, the choice between MIG vs TIG welding determines how quickly the job gets done, how much distortion the part suffers, and how clean the weld bead appears. Aluminum’s high thermal conductivity, oxide layer, and expansion rate make welding process selection more critical than with most metals.
In this article, …
Milling plays a central role in manufacturing, offering the flexibility to create flat surfaces, precision slots, and high-accuracy complex 3D contours. The process uses a rotating multi-point cutting tool to remove material in controlled increments, making it suitable for metals, plastics, and composite materials. In modern CNC milling, advanced motion control, precise machine setups, and …
A milling machine is one of the most versatile tools in precision manufacturing. By rotating a cutting tool at high speed while feeding a workpiece along multiple axes, milling machines can produce flat surfaces, contoured profiles, slots, pockets, and complex 3D geometries with tight tolerances. Compared to turning—where the workpiece rotates—milling is better suited for …
