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Fictiv Names Andy Sherman as General Manager for USA Manufacturing

Sherman will lead Fictiv’s USA manufacturing operations, supporting demand for on-shoring and production-level capabilities. San Francisco, October 3, 2023 – Fictiv, the operating system for custom manufacturing,  today announced the appointment of Andy Sherman to General Manager, USA.  This appointment comes in response to customer demand for on-shore and hybrid manufacturing solutions to mitigate supply […]

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SAN Injection Molding

Styrene acrylonitrile (SAN) is a copolymer, or polymer blend, that combines the properties of styrene and acrylonitrile. Styrene contributes to SAN’s transparency, stiffness, and excellent processability. Acrylonitrile imparts SAN’s hardness, rigidity, and resistance to heat and chemicals.  Because of its exceptional properties, injection molded SAN is considered to be a specialty plastic rather than a […]

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Teflon® (Polytetrafluoroethylene) PTFE and the Coefficient of Friction

PTFE, or Polytetrafluoroethylene, AKA Teflon®, is a unique material with a few physical properties that make it versatile enough for parts across various industries. One of these unique physical properties is a low coefficient of friction, which makes PTFE highly usefully in critical applications.  Understanding the coefficient of friction is fundamental knowledge that’s essential for […]

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Acrylic vs. Polycarbonate CNC Machining

Optically clear plastics like acrylic and polycarbonate are popular glass alternatives because they have excellent optical clarity (up to 92% visible light transmittance), and are lightweight, easy to machine, and cost-friendly.  This article discusses these two plastics and their general characteristics and applications — including the CNC machining requirements for acrylic and polycarbonate, and when […]

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PBT Injection Molding

Polybutylene terephthalate (PBT) has many electrical, medical, and food processing applications and comes in filled, unfilled, flame retardant, reinforced, and lubricated grades.  Brands include Celanex®, a family of branded PBT materials that provides high strength and rigidity in thin-walled parts. PBT injection molding is used to produce plastic parts with good dielectric strength and resistance […]

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LCP Injection Molding

Liquid crystal polymer (LCP) injection molding is used to produce plastic parts with high heat resistance, inherent flame resistance, and excellent dimensional stability. LCP has various electrical, medical, and consumer applications and is available in filled, unfilled, and blended grades. Brands include Vectra®, a family of LCP materials that combine high-temperature performance with chemical resistance […]

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9 Tips for Better Engineering Drawings that Save Time and Money

This article was revised by Tessa Axsom in September 2023 Even in 2023, with the rising popularity of model-based definitions, engineering drawings are still a great way to communicate design intent for CNC machined parts that require tight tolerances, material specifications, or other special requirements. That’s why many Fictiv customers in the robotics, aerospace, automotive, […]

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2023 Autumn Holidays Overseas: How to Mitigate Manufacturing Delays

The Mid-Autumn Festival is a widely celebrated holiday throughout Asia and is fast approaching. This festival celebrates the end of the autumn harvest and is similar to Thanksgiving in the US. This year, the festival falls on September 29th.   Additionally, October 2nd through the 6th in mainland China is National Day Golden Week, which celebrates […]

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Hot Forging vs. Cold Forging

Forging is a basic cycle in metalworking that permits manufacturers to shape and change unrefined substances into accurately designed parts. Hot forging and cold forging are the two basic methods, and each offers unmistakable benefits and is fit for specific applications.  This article discusses hot and cold forging, their disparities, applications, and a rubric for […]

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3D Printing Inserts: Types, Installation & Best Practices

When designing robust 3D-printed assemblies, you need a comprehensive understanding of the optimal ways to assemble different components. And when it comes to securing 3D-printed parts, Metal inserts are a superior method as opposed to 3D printing threads, which often result in subpar connections. This article will delve into the various types of inserts, strategies […]