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David Willson

David Willson has a background in mechanical engineering with a BSME from Northeastern University and over ten years of experience in product development, manufacturing, and communications across various industries.

All articles from the author

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What is Nearshoring and Why are Companies Moving Their Manufacturing Closer to Home?

Your manufacturing partner and their location are critical factors to consider when it comes to part production. Many companies that outsource manufacturing or own factories overseas are nearshoring due to several advantages such as reduced lead times, improved communication and cost savings. Nearshore manufacturing is a trending topic in the U.S. due to these benefits […]

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Advanced Materials Guide for Injection Molding

The advent of CAD systems, additive manufacturing, and CNC machining have made the design and manufacture of complex part designs almost routine. Engineers today are tasked with designing components that may be subjected to a variety of factors, including extreme weather conditions, chemicals, bodily fluids, high stress or loads, impacts, and other elements that could […]

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Tips to Reduce Injection Molding Costs

What’s the best way to achieve low-cost injection molding? The first step is to identify and understand the sources of your expenses. Next, it’s critical to make cost-saving decisions as early as possible in the design process to avoid getting locked into a course of action that’s difficult and expensive to change later on. Discussed […]

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Chem Film, Anodizing, and Black Oxide: Which Conversion Coating is Right for Your Project?

‍When metal is exposed to the elements or certain chemicals, deterioration in the form of oxidation may occur. The Second Law of Thermodynamics declares that everything tends to move into a state of disorder. After designing and manufacturing your products, the last thing you want to discover is a breakdown of a metal component in […]

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Injection Molding Tooling: The Complete Guide

Known for quickly producing parts with consistent precision, injection molding is one of the most popular methods for creating high-quality plastic components. This manufacturing process creates parts by forcing molten plastic into a mold at high pressure, which cools and solidifies into the desired shape. It’s used across various industries to efficiently produce complex, durable […]

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CNC Stepover Guide: Understanding Its Impact on Surface Finish and Machining Efficiency

CNC stepover is the distance between successive passes of a cutting tool during computer numerical control (CNC) machining. It’s a critical parameter because it affects both the machining time and surface finish of your parts. Different machining operations need different stepover values, and the optimal value to use also accounts for the tool and the […]

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CNC Machining Outsourcing: Fictiv’s Detailed Guide

CNC machining outsourcing is a manufacturing strategy that involves contracting with another company for CNC machining services. Whether for prototyping or production, product designers who outsource their machined parts gain access to advanced technology, leverage custom machining solutions, and avoid expensive investments in equipment and training.  This guide provides an overview of computer numerical control […]