Articles

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

  • CNC Machining (27) cross-icon
  • 3D Printing (60) cross-icon
  • Sheet Metal (10) cross-icon
  • Injection Molding (17) cross-icon
  • Die Casting (4) cross-icon
  • Urethane Casting (7) cross-icon
  • Compression Molding (4) cross-icon
  • Plastic Extrusion (1) cross-icon
  • Thermoforming (1) cross-icon
  • Materials (26) cross-icon
  • Design (21) cross-icon
  • Post-Processing (12) cross-icon
  • Manufacturing Insights (6) cross-icon
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  • CNC Machining (27) cross-icon
  • 3D Printing (60) cross-icon
  • Sheet Metal (10) cross-icon
  • Injection Molding (17) cross-icon
  • Die Casting (4) cross-icon
  • Urethane Casting (7) cross-icon
  • Compression Molding (4) cross-icon
  • Plastic Extrusion (1) cross-icon
  • Thermoforming (1) cross-icon
  • Materials (26) cross-icon
  • Design (21) cross-icon
  • Post-Processing (12) cross-icon
  • Manufacturing Insights (6) cross-icon
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CNC Machining

Basic CNC Machining Articles

Latest CNC Machining Articles

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6 min
Comparison of plastic CNC machining and 3D printing processes

CNC Machining vs 3D Printing: Select the Best Plastic Manufacturing Method for Your Project

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7 min
CNC machine milling a complex metal part with precise detailing and multiple cuts

Complex CNC Parts? Here’s How to Get Them Right

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7 min
Workpieces on a welding table with clamps and fixtures. Selective focus.

Jigs and Fixtures: Design, Production, Applications

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8 min
CNC machined parts

Standard Tolerances in Manufacturing: ISO 2768, ISO 286, and GD&T

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9 min
CNC-threaded cylinders with high-precision

CNC Machining Size Limitations: Everything You Need to Know

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10 min

Threaded Inserts for Plastics: Types, Comparison and Selection Tips

All CNC Machining Articles

3D Printing

Basic 3D Printing Articles

Latest 3D Printing Articles

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6 min
Comparison of plastic CNC machining and 3D printing processes

CNC Machining vs 3D Printing: Select the Best Plastic Manufacturing Method for Your Project

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7 min
Workpieces on a welding table with clamps and fixtures. Selective focus.

Jigs and Fixtures: Design, Production, Applications

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5 min

3D-Printed Molds for Casting: Possibilities & Best Practices

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6 min
DMLS Aluminum AlSi10Mg

9 Mistakes To Avoid When Designing for Direct Metal Laser Sintering (DMLS) 3D Printing

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8 min
Injection molded black headlight panel with a snap-fit joint

Snap-fit Joints for Plastics: Types, Design, Selection

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10 min

Threaded Inserts for Plastics: Types, Comparison and Selection Tips

All 3D Printing Articles

Sheet Metal

Basic Sheet Metal Articles

Latest Sheet Metal Articles

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4 min
Sheet metal bending machine closeup

Minimum Minimum Bend Radius For Sheet Metal: Reference Table & Calculator Radius Reference Table For Sheet Metal

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2 min

Choosing Right File Formats for Manufacturing

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7 min
Metal sheets with galvanised painted finish

Sheet Metal Materials Selection Guide

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Introduction to Laser Cutting

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6 min
Sheet metal bending machine

Design Tips for Sheet Metal Bending

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operator bending metal sheet

Introduction to Sheet Metal Fabrication

All Sheet Metal Articles

Injection Molding

Basic Injection Molding Articles

Latest Injection Molding Articles

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Infographic: Injection Molding Material Selection Guide

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7 min

Overmolding TPEs and Rigid Plastics for Improved Product Performance

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8 min
Injection molded black headlight panel with a snap-fit joint

Snap-fit Joints for Plastics: Types, Design, Selection

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5 min
Top view of a complex injection mold used in plastic manufacturing

Injection Molding Molds: Types, Lifespan and Design Tips

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Infographic: Formative Manufacturing Technologies Selection Guide

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Threaded Inserts for Plastics: Types, Comparison and Selection Tips

All Injection Molding Articles

Die Casting

Basic Die Casting Articles

Latest Die Casting Articles

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Infographic: Formative Manufacturing Technologies Selection Guide

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4 min
ADC12 aluminium die cast parts

Die Casting Material Selection Guide

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6 min
High precision die mold for casting automotive aluminium parts

Design Tips for Die Casting

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6 min
Die cast aluminium parts

Die Casting General Overview: Process, Materials & Applications

All Die Casting Articles

Urethane Casting

Basic Vacuum Casting Articles

Latest Vacuum Casting Articles

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7 min

Overmolding TPEs and Rigid Plastics for Improved Product Performance

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Infographic: Formative Manufacturing Technologies Selection Guide

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4 min
Vacuum cast parts

Design Tips for Vacuum Casting

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

Unlocking Efficiency: The Power of Rapid Prototyping in Modern Manufacturing

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7 min
Vacuum cast parts

Vacuum Casting Material Selection

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Vacuum Casting: Technology Overview

All Vacuum Casting Articles

Compression Molding

Basic Compression Molding Articles

Latest Compression Molding Articles

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Infographic: Formative Manufacturing Technologies Selection Guide

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7 min

Compression Molding Design Tips

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5 min
Metal tool for molding

Injection Molding vs. Compression Molding: Differences and Comparison

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7 min

Compression Molding: Technology Overview

All Compression Molding Articles

Plastic Extrusion

Basic Plastic Extrusion Articles

Latest Plastic Extrusion Articles

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9 min
White plastic windowsill

Plastic Extrusion Technology Overview

All Plastic Extrusion Articles

Thermoforming

Latest Thermoforming Articles

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9 min

Thermoforming Technology Overview

All Thermoforming Articles

Materials

Basic Materials Articles

Latest Materials Articles

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5 min
Screenshot from a Xometry video experiment for UV resistance of 3D printing parts

UV Resistance of Plastics: Best Materials for 3D Printing, CNC Machining, and Injection Molding

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Infographic: Injection Molding Material Selection Guide

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6 min
Hand bending a flexible 3D-printed plastic part to demonstrate material flexibility

Shore Hardness for Plastics and Rubbers: Shore A and Shore D

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9 min
Hardness tester machine with monitor display

Hardness Testing of Metals: Rockwell, Brinell, Vickers, Knoop, and Leeb Tests

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5 min
Flame test on an FDM ULTEM 9085 part

Flame Retardant Plastics & UL 94 Flammability Standards In Parts Manufacturing

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5 min

PA11 vs. PA12: What Are the Differences?

All Materials Articles

Design

Basic Design Articles

Latest Design Articles

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6 min
DMLS Aluminum AlSi10Mg

9 Mistakes To Avoid When Designing for Direct Metal Laser Sintering (DMLS) 3D Printing

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8 min
CNC machined parts

Standard Tolerances in Manufacturing: ISO 2768, ISO 286, and GD&T

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8 min
Injection molded black headlight panel with a snap-fit joint

Snap-fit Joints for Plastics: Types, Design, Selection

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4 min
A person using a digital caliper to measure the thickness of a black 3D-printed part, with the caliper

Impact of Post-Processing on Dimensional Accuracy of Parts

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10 min

Threaded Inserts for Plastics: Types, Comparison and Selection Tips

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7 min

3D Printing File Formats Compared: STL, AMF, 3MF and OBJ

All Design Articles

Post-Processing

Latest Post-Processing Articles

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5 min
Yellow powder coating being applied to metal parts suspended on hooks

Powder Coating—Choosing Color, Gloss and Texture

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4 min
A person using a digital caliper to measure the thickness of a black 3D-printed part, with the caliper

Impact of Post-Processing on Dimensional Accuracy of Parts

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3 min
Post-processing for MJF and SLS

Post-processing for MJF and SLS 3D Printed Parts

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5 min

Surface Finishes for 3D Printing

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5 min

Surface Finishes for CNC Machining

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4 min
Sheet metal aluminium black anodised part

Everything You Need to Know About Black Anodizing

All Post-Processing Articles

Manufacturing Insights

Latest Manufacturing Insights Articles

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7 min
Engineer technician designing drawings mechanical parts

How Design for Manufacturing (DFM) Improves Prototyping

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

Unlocking Efficiency: The Power of Rapid Prototyping in Modern Manufacturing

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6 min
CNC Machining process

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

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9 min

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

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Illustration of digital manufacturing for the automotive industry

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

AllManufacturing InsightsArticles