Our Insight video series will help you master digital manufacturing. Every Friday we’ll post a new video – each one giving you a deeper Insight into how to design better parts. We’ll cover specific topics such as choosing the right 3D printing material, optimising your design for CNC machining, surface finishes for moulded parts, and much more besides. So join us and don’t miss out.
Insight: Draft - Improving Part Mouldability
Draft is a vital part of injection moulding design. If ignored you run the risk of poor cosmetic finish, warping and the chance that your part may not eject smoothly from the mould. This video talks about draft and how you can use it in your part design for a more mouldable part.
Insight: Surface Finishes - What Is Best For Your Part?
When considering a surface finish for your part, there are several things to factor in. These include:
- the material you are using
- the end-use of your part
- whether or not your part is at the production or prototype stage.
This video looks at these factors in detail to help you determine the best choice in surface finish.
Insight: Fine Detail - 3D Printing Fine Resolution Features
Most 3D printed parts require normal or high resolution detail. But for very precise features - and we're talking detail at hundredths of millimetres - we move into the realm of micro resolution. Materials with this level of resolution come with both advantages and limitations, so this video will help you make the most of prototyping such intricate components.
Insight: CNC Threading - For Milled And Turned Parts
At the most basic level there are two types of machined threads - internal and external. But when considering threads for your part there are a number of factors to ponder, such as:
- size of threads in UNC, UNF and metric
- maximum depths
- whether the thread can be added before or needs to be added after manufacturing
- inserts and how they affect hole diameter and depth etc.
This week's video looks at the key details, to help you learn what's possible when it comes to CNC threading.
Insight: Copper – For 3D Printing And CNC Machining
Copper is a vital material in engineering and it's role, particularly in industries such as automotive, is certainly growing. Until recently if you wanted a copper part the only option was to have it CNC machined, but now there is another option available. For more complex geometries, DMLS can be a more suitable method of creating parts.
This week's video looks at copper and aims to help you understand when it's best to turn to CNC machining or 3D printing.