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Share your experiences, thoughts and seek advice in manufacturing. Create your own topics for discussion, ask questions, and participate in conversations.

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O-ring seal design for removable marine sensor housing new
Hi! My project is a small-scale marine sensor housing; it needs to stay functional when briefly submerged (around 0.5 m depth) or exposed to heavy splashes on a boat deck. I’m using a machined... read more
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Aug 18
Issues with polyurethane bonded rollers under load
Hi! Currently working on a small batch of U-groove guide rollers for a linear transfer system, and I'm using a soft polyurethane tread (around 85A Shore) bonded to aluminum hubs. The supplier estimates each... read more
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17
Aug 14
Best fixture setup for milling and drilling mid-size batches of aluminum brackets?
Hi, I've got a batch of aluminum brackets that need to be drilled and milled on all sides with high repeatability. Has anyone designed a modular fixture system for parts like this to reduce... read more
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28
Aug 14
Compact two-axis rotation without U-joints?
Hi all! I’m building a compact gimbal for a sensor head that needs to rotate around two perpendicular axes (pan and tilt). I’m trying to stay away from standard U-joints — they take up... read more
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1.3k
Aug 14
Vacuum casting for snap-fits
I’m planning to use vacuum casting to produce about 50 housing units with integrated snap-fit features for an electronics prototype. The parts need to survive multiple assembly/disassembly cycles during testing. I’ve seen mixed opinions... read more
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Aug 11
SLA wall thickness issue for microfluidic channels
Hi, I created a 3D design for a small microfluidic part using SLA (Clear Resin) with internal channels ~0.4 mm wide and wall thickness around 0.5 mm. The function relies on optical inspection through... read more
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93
Jul 29
Embossed vs. engraved text for outdoor molded parts
Hi there, I need to add a part number and recycling symbol on the surface of molded parts in PP GF20 for outdoor use. I initially planned to use engraved text for aesthetic reasons,... read more
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129
Aug 08
Minimum hole diameter vs sheet thickness 316L
Hello, I would like to produce a stainless steel 316L bracket, 3 mm thick, cut by fiber laser. I need to include several small holes for drainage and fastening, and I’ve heard there might... read more
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177
Aug 01
Choosing the Right Material for Injection Molding – What’s Your Go-To?
Hey everyone! I’m working on a few small-batch parts and weighing my options when it comes to materials for injection molding. I've used ABS and polypropylene in the past, but I'm curious—what materials do... read more
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92
Jul 18
Ejector pin placement near snap-fit
I’m working on a small injection-molded housing for an automotive sensor, using PA6 GF30. There are two snap-fit arms inside (cantilever type), about 2 mm-thick walls. I’m not sure where to place the ejector... read more
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Jul 18