Articles

Explore a collection of articles written by Xometry’s engineers and professionals, providing valuable insights and expertise.

  • CNC Machining (25) cross-icon
  • 3D Printing (60) cross-icon
  • Sheet Metal (13) cross-icon
  • Injection Molding (12) cross-icon
  • Die Casting (3) cross-icon
  • Urethane Casting (6) cross-icon
  • Plastic Extrusion (1) cross-icon
  • Thermoforming (1) cross-icon
  • Compression Molding (2) cross-icon
  • Materials (26) cross-icon
  • Design (17) cross-icon
  • Post-Processing (10) cross-icon
  • Manufacturing Insights (7) cross-icon
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  • CNC Machining (25) cross-icon
  • 3D Printing (60) cross-icon
  • Sheet Metal (13) cross-icon
  • Injection Molding (12) cross-icon
  • Die Casting (3) cross-icon
  • Urethane Casting (6) cross-icon
  • Plastic Extrusion (1) cross-icon
  • Thermoforming (1) cross-icon
  • Compression Molding (2) cross-icon
  • Materials (26) cross-icon
  • Design (17) cross-icon
  • Post-Processing (10) cross-icon
  • Manufacturing Insights (7) cross-icon
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CNC Machining

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Design Tips For CNC Machining

The design process for CNC machining requires precision and accuracy to produce quality designs. This is why there are recommended general CNC machining design rules that apply to the most common features of CNC machined parts.

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Students using a 3D printer and a laptop, they are printing plastic prototypes

Unlocking Efficiency: The Power of Rapid Prototyping in Modern Manufacturing

CNC machining of plastics

Plastic Material Selection Guide in Manufacturing with CNC Machining

Aluminium CNC machined parts

Aluminium Materials Used in CNC Machining

Cutting Fluids for CNC Machining Processes

Basic CNC Machining Articles

Latest CNC Machining Articles

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Choosing Right File Formats for Manufacturing

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CNC Machining Material Selection

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CNC machining vs. 3D printing

Polymer CNC Machining vs. 3D Printing: Checklist To Choose the Right One

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Sheet metal laser cut parts

Steel Hardening Explained

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Surface Finishes for CNC Machining

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Selecting Right Surface Roughness for CNC Machining

All CNC Machining Articles

3D Printing

3D Printed Guitar Picks Experiment with Niko at Xometry
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Will It Break? A Live Experiment With 3D Printed Guitar Picks

We’ve explored the capabilities of SLS, SLA, and FDM additive manufacturing technologies in producing guitar picks, focusing on evaluating their strength and flexibility. Join us in an informative session where Nikolaus Moncz (aka Niko), a Xometry Sales Engineer and 3D printing enthusiast, conducts a live electric guitar test to reveal these picks' performance.

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Surface Roughness In 3D Printing

PA11 vs. PA12: What Are the Differences?

Students using a 3D printer and a laptop, they are printing plastic prototypes

Unlocking Efficiency: The Power of Rapid Prototyping in Modern Manufacturing

HP MJF 3D Printing Design Guidelines

Basic 3D Printing Articles

Latest 3D Printing Articles

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Choosing Right File Formats for Manufacturing

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Infographic: Design Rules for 3D Printing

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Infographic: 3D Printing Process and Material Decision Guide

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FDM PLA parts

Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM) 3D Printing Design Tips

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4 min
SLS Nylon PA12 as-printed sample part

Design Tips for Selective Laser Sintering (SLS) 3D Printing

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3 min

Design Tips for Direct Metal Laser Sintering 3D Printing

All 3D Printing Articles

Sheet Metal

Sheet metal bending machine
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4 min

6 Advantages of Sheet Metal Fabrication 

Sheet metal forming is a highly efficient manufacturing technology that offers numerous benefits, such as fast turnaround times and cost-effective solutions. Let's take a closer look at this manufacturing technology which has many advantages in engineering projects and a variety of industries.

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Choosing Right File Formats for Manufacturing

Metal sheets with galvanised painted finish

Sheet Metal Materials Selection Guide

Sheet metal bending machine closeup

Minimum Bend Radius Reference Table For Sheet Metal

Introduction to Laser Cutting

Basic Sheet Metal Articles

Latest Sheet Metal Articles

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Design Tips for Sheet Metal Bending

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Introduction to Sheet Metal Fabrication

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An Overview of Waterjet Cutting

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An Overview of Plasma Cutting

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Sheet Metal Finishes: Plating And Polishing Options

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Sheet metal parts

5 Tips to Reduce Cost in Sheet Metal Fabrication Methods

All Sheet Metal Articles

Injection Molding

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4 min

Color Uniformity in Plastic Injection Molding

Colour uniformity in plastic injection moulding is more than just an aesthetic concern; it is a vital part of product quality. In this article, we'll unravel the complexities of different colour systems used in injection moulding and the importance of specifying colour tones numerically.

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Injection molded parts

Tips to Reduce Cost in Manufacturing with Injection Molding

Injection molding mold

Differences Between Multi-cavity Mold and Family Mold in Injection Molding

Mix Plastic pellets

Injection Molding Materials Selection Guide

Design Tips for Injection Molding

Basic Injection Molding Articles

Latest Injection Molding Articles

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3D printing vs. injection moulding

Injection Molding vs 3D Printing: Which One To Choose?

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Tolerances in Injection Molding

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Injection Moulding Surface Finishes: SPI and VDI

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6 min

Injection Molding Technology Overview

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Injection Molding vs. Compression Molding: Differences and Comparison

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Vacuum Casting vs. Injection Molding – What’s the Difference?

All Injection Molding Articles

Die Casting

ADC12 aluminium die cast parts
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4 min

Die Casting Material Selection Guide

In order to get the most out of the die casting process, selecting a suitable die casting material is important. This guide provides detailed information about the most common materials used by Xometry in die casting and their respective benefits and drawbacks.

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Design Tips for Die Casting

Die Casting General Overview: Process, Materials & Applications

Basic Die Casting Articles

Urethane Casting

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6 min

Vacuum Casting vs. Injection Molding – What’s the Difference?

This article will describe the similarities and differences between vacuum casting and injection moulding to help you determine which process is best for your project.

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Vacuum cast parts

Design Tips for Vacuum Casting

Students using a 3D printer and a laptop, they are printing plastic prototypes

Unlocking Efficiency: The Power of Rapid Prototyping in Modern Manufacturing

Urethane cast parts

Unique Advantages of Urethane Casting

Vacuum cast parts

Urethane Casting Material Selection

Basic Vacuum Casting Articles

Latest Vacuum Casting Articles

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Vacuum Casting: Technology Overview

All Vacuum Casting Articles

Plastic Extrusion

White plastic windowsill
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9 min

Plastic Extrusion Technology Overview

This article will unravel the intricate aspects of the plastic extrusion process, from its foundational principles to its widespread applications.

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Basic Plastic Extrusion Articles

Thermoforming

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9 min

Thermoforming Technology Overview

This article will give you some insights into plastic thermoforming, from delving deep into the technical aspects of the process and understanding its pros and cons to its applications across industries.

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Compression Molding

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7 min

Compression Molding Design Tips

In this article, we'll delve into key considerations and strategies to enhance the efficiency and quality of compression molding processes, covering design principles and material selection.

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Injection Molding vs. Compression Molding: Differences and Comparison

Materials

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5 min

PA11 vs. PA12: What Are the Differences?

This article aims to examine the differences between PA 11 and PA 12. Despite their chemical similarity, these two polymers tend to produce different outcomes and end parts.

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Plastic pellets

Revolution of Plastics in Manufacturing

CNC machining of plastics

Plastic Material Selection Guide in Manufacturing with CNC Machining

Aluminium CNC machined parts

Aluminium Materials Used in CNC Machining

3D Printing Materials Selection Guide

Basic Materials Articles

Latest Materials Articles

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13 min

CNC Machining Material Selection

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4 min
ADC12 aluminium die cast parts

Die Casting Material Selection Guide

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9 min
Mix Plastic pellets

Injection Molding Materials Selection Guide

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7 min
Metal sheets with galvanised painted finish

Sheet Metal Materials Selection Guide

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7 min
Sheet metal laser cut parts

Steel Hardening Explained

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7 min
Vacuum cast parts

Urethane Casting Material Selection

All Materials Articles

Design

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4 min

Design Tips For CNC Machining

The design process for CNC machining requires precision and accuracy to produce quality designs. This is why there are recommended general CNC machining design rules that apply to the most common features of CNC machined parts.

Featured content

Compression Molding Design Tips

Vacuum cast parts

Design Tips for Vacuum Casting

HP MJF 3D Printing Design Guidelines

Infographic: Design Rules for 3D Printing

Basic Design Articles

Latest Design Articles

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3 min
FDM PLA parts

Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM) 3D Printing Design Tips

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4 min
SLS Nylon PA12 as-printed sample part

Design Tips for Selective Laser Sintering (SLS) 3D Printing

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3 min

Design Tips for Direct Metal Laser Sintering 3D Printing

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Design Tips for Carbon DLS™ 3D Printing

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3 min
Polyjet printed part

Polyjet 3D Printing Design Tips

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2 min
SLA 3D printed parts

Stereolithography (SLA) 3D Printing Design Tips

All Design Articles

Post-Processing

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5 min

Vapor Smoothing: An Effective Surface Finish Process in 3D Printing

With its ability to transform rough, layered surfaces into sleek, professional-grade finishes, vapor smoothing emerges as a game-changing post-processing technique in the realm of 3D printing. This article will dig into its specificities, benefits and applications.

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Post-processing for MJF and SLS

Post-processing for MJF and SLS 3D Printed Parts

Surface Finishes for 3D Printing

Surface Finishes for CNC Machining

Sheet metal aluminium black anodised part

Everything You Need to Know About Black Anodizing

Latest Post-Processing Articles

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Colored 3D printed parts

Color 3D Printing Options Overview

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Powder Coating vs. Anodizing for Aluminium

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Injection Moulding Surface Finishes: SPI and VDI

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Anodizing Aluminium: An Effective Finishing Option

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Sheet Metal Finishes: Plating And Polishing Options

All Post-Processing Articles

Manufacturing Insights

Engineer technician designing drawings mechanical parts
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7 min

How Design for Manufacturing (DFM) Improves Prototyping

This blog will unpack the essentials of DFM, offering insights into its application in modern prototyping. You will learn how to integrate it effectively, grasp its benefits, and ensure your prototyping journey is innovative and feasible.

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Students using a 3D printer and a laptop, they are printing plastic prototypes

Unlocking Efficiency: The Power of Rapid Prototyping in Modern Manufacturing

Production development illustration

From Industrial Product Development to Mass Production

CNC Machining process

On-Demand Manufacturing: What it is and How it Works

Cloud Manufacturing: Past, Present, and Future – an Academic Review

Latest Manufacturing Insights Articles

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Illustration of digital manufacturing for the automotive industry

Analysis of the Largest Early Adopter in the Cloud Manufacturing Market: Xometry

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Man holding a part in his hands

5 Advantages of Rapid Prototyping for Your Company

AllManufacturing InsightsArticles