Category: Manufacturing Processes

What are the main advantages of injection moulding over traditional manufacturing?

To the untrained eye it may be easy to assume that injection moulding is simply a quicker and more cost-effective method of manufacturing when compared

Metal Forging

Metal forging is the oldest metal forming process which produces parts by the process of metal deformation. The forging process is classified into two different

Lathe Machine Parts – A Quick Guide

In this article we will give an overview of the components of a lathe; the lathe machine parts and their primary functions. Lathes refer to

automation basics - an automated production line

Automation Basics – An Introduction

Automation basics: The term automation is derived from the Greek root words of ‘Auto’, meaning “self”, and ‘Matos’, meaning “moving”. So, automation can be described

A Basic Guide to Tooling Design

The discipline of tooling design is fundamental to manufacturing. The cost of manufacturing and of the end product depends heavily upon tool design. Tool design affects

A Mechanical Designer’s Quick Guide to Adhesives

Every designer or engineer, no matter their background or industry, has at some point run into the critical question, “How can I stick this thing

9 Tips for Designing an Injection Moulding

A correctly designed and implemented injection moulding is a very efficient and cost-effective piece of plastic manufacturing. They allow the creation of individual parts which are identical in

Design guide for CNC Milling

CNC milling is the most common fabrication method for professional prototyping, scaling well into the low- to mid-volume levels and sometimes higher. As with any

Managing Automation Intelligence

As automation continues to enter into manufacturing plants, on both the operation and machining sides, it is important to understand how education will impact the

Additive or Subtractive Manufacturing?

Before prototyping or manufacturing a product, it is important to consider all the different manufacturing processes which are available, as well as the strengths and

Anodizing aluminium – process description & design guide

Anodizing is an electrolytic surface treatment most commonly used with aluminium components. It creates a hard, durable, corrosion-resistant, non-conductive, and often reflective oxide finish on

How to Select an appropriate joining method

Joining is a very broad category of engineering processes. Joining, as the name implies, simply refers to the process of attaching components together. The components

Flat Strip Springs – Types of Tooling

There are a number of ways flat strip components can be produced, generally depending on the volume required. When a small number of components are

Engineered blow molding : Basic concepts

Process Advantages Engineered blow molding offers a highly versatile process for fabricating parts. Effective designs for its blow molding take advantage of the inherent advantages

Electro-discharge machining (EDM)

Electro-Discharge Machining (EDM) is machining with sparks. The work-piece is held in a jig submerged in a dielectric fluid such as kerosene. A power supply

Cutting processes – tolerance and surface roughness

Here’s a useful table of tolerance and surface roughness achievable with cutting and machining process (collectively termed “material removal processes” or “Subtractive Manufacturing“). More useful

Tips on Injection Mold Tooling Design

Injection moulding is one of the most common manufacturing methods to produce thin-wall engineered parts. Development of moulds that produce high quality parts is a

Laser Beam Machining (LBM)

Laser Beam Machining: A coherent beam of monochromatic light is focused on the workpiece causing material removal by vaporisation. Machines are generally CAD/CAM compatible, with

Wire EDM (Wire Electro Discharge Machining)

Wire EDM (Wire Electro Discharge Machining, or WEDM) involves a continuously spooling conductive wire (the most widely used is brass). A power supply generates rapid electric