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A Guide to Rivet Types and Their Common Uses

Rivets are a versatile and low-cost method for fastening two components together. They’re typically used to attach sheet and structural members, and in some cases only require access to one side of the joint to install. Rivets are low-cost and come in a range of different materials like aluminum, stainless steel, and copper. This article […]

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A Basic Introduction to CNC Turning

CNC turning services offer a widespread technology for manufacturing cylindrical parts from various materials. Unlike CNC milling, CNC turning rotates the workpiece and introduces a stationary tool into the workpiece. Advanced CNC turning centers take this further by adding milling functionality to the machine to produce highly complex parts like those in the image below: […]

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Troubleshooting Injection Molding Flash

Injection molding flash, or flashing, is excess plastic that forms on the surface of injection molded parts. Although some amount of flash is considered to be a normal part of the plastic injection molding process, excessive flash can mar the surface finish of parts or interfere with part seating, mating, or assembly.  In this article, […]

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Climb vs Conventional Milling – What Are The Differences?

CNC milling is one of the most common machining processes used to manufacture complex parts. When milling a part, one of the first questions a machinist must ask is whether to use conventional or climb milling on that part. While climb and conventional milling are relatively similar, the key difference is in the rotation of […]

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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 […]

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Non-Ferrous Metals: Ironing Out What They Are and How They Can Work for You

Metals come in all forms, with different compositions, and properties. Understanding metal families and classifications is key to knowing which metals to use in your next mechanical design. One of the most popular and useful ways to classify metals is as ferrous (iron is a primary component) and non-ferrous (iron is not a primary component) […]

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5 Career Paths for Mechanical Engineers

Choosing a career path in mechanical engineering can be daunting, especially considering how varied the mechanical engineering field is. The US Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates that the demand for mechanical engineers will grow by seven percent from 2020 to 2030, and as many as 20,000 mechanical engineering jobs will become available over this period. […]

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Methods for Manufacturing and Calling Out Threaded Holes

Many experts consider the helical-thread screw to be one of the most important mechanical inventions in history — helical-thread screws are mechanical fasteners with a cylindrical shaft wrapped in helical threads or grooves cut into the cylinder’s surface. Screws are a critical mechanical assembly method because they convert rotational motion to a linear motion. This […]

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Steel vs. Aluminum for Injection Molds

Most injection molds are made of steel or aluminum. Conventional wisdom holds that steel molds are more expensive, and that aluminum is more cost-effective for lower part volumes. However, that’s not always true – at least if you choose Fictiv for your next injection molding project. There are important differences between different types of steel […]

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Low-Volume Injection Molding Use Cases

Low-volume injection molding lets you leverage the benefits of plastic injection molding without incurring the costs associated with producing high volumes of parts. This article explains what low-volume injection molding is and considers its advantages and disadvantages. You’ll also learn about the relationship between part design and low-volume plastic parts production, and examine alternatives such […]