Articles

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

  • CNC Machining (22) cross-icon
  • 3D Printing (54) cross-icon
  • Sheet Metal Fabrication (10) cross-icon
  • Injection Molding (9) cross-icon
  • Die Casting (3) cross-icon
  • Vacuum Casting (5) cross-icon
  • Compression Molding (3) cross-icon
  • Plastic Extrusion (1) cross-icon
  • Thermoforming (1) cross-icon
  • Materials (21) cross-icon
  • Design (17) cross-icon
  • Post-Processing (10) cross-icon
  • Industry Insights (3) cross-icon
  • Clear all tags
  • CNC Machining (22) cross-icon
  • 3D Printing (54) cross-icon
  • Sheet Metal Fabrication (10) cross-icon
  • Injection Molding (9) cross-icon
  • Die Casting (3) cross-icon
  • Vacuum Casting (5) cross-icon
  • Compression Molding (3) cross-icon
  • Plastic Extrusion (1) cross-icon
  • Thermoforming (1) cross-icon
  • Materials (21) cross-icon
  • Design (17) cross-icon
  • Post-Processing (10) cross-icon
  • Industry Insights (3) cross-icon
  • Clear all tags

CNC Machining

clock
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

Selecting Right Surface Roughness for CNC Machining

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

Unlocking Efficiency: The Power of Rapid Prototyping in Modern Manufacturing

Cutting Fluids for CNC Machining Processes

Choosing Right File Formats for Manufacturing

Basic CNC Machining Articles

Latest CNC Machining Articles

clock
13 min

CNC Machining Material Selection

clock
5 min
CNC machining vs. 3D printing

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

clock
7 min
Sheet metal laser cut parts

Steel Hardening Explained

clock
5 min

Surface Finishes for CNC Machining

clock
3 min
CNC-threaded cylinders with high-precision

Size Limitations in CNC Machining

clock
5 min
CNC machined part

Factors To Consider When Choosing Materials for CNC Machining

All CNC Machining Articles

3D Printing

clock
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.

Featured content

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

Choosing Right File Formats for Manufacturing

Basic 3D Printing Articles

Latest 3D Printing Articles

clock
< 1 min

Infographic: Design Rules for 3D Printing

clock
< 1 min

Infographic: 3D Printing Process and Material Decision Guide

clock
3 min
FDM PLA parts

Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM) 3D Printing Design Tips

clock
4 min
SLS Nylon PA12 as-printed sample part

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

clock
3 min

Design Tips for Direct Metal Laser Sintering 3D Printing

clock
2 min

Design Tips for Carbon DLS™ 3D Printing

All 3D Printing Articles

Sheet Metal Fabrication

clock
2 min

Choosing Right File Formats for Manufacturing

This article explains the supported file formats for CNC machining, 3D printing, and sheet metal fabrication.

Featured content

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

Design Tips for Sheet Metal Bending

Basic Sheet Metal Articles

Latest Sheet Metal Articles

clock
4 min

Introduction to Sheet Metal Fabrication

clock
< 1 min

An Overview of Waterjet Cutting

clock
2 min

An Overview of Plasma Cutting

clock
6 min

Sheet Metal Finishes: Plating And Polishing Options

clock
6 min

Nesting Files for Sheet Metal Cutting: Tips & Best Practices

All Sheet Metal Articles

Injection Molding

clock
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.

Featured content

Injection Molding Surface Finishes: SPI and VDI

Mix Plastic pellets

Injection Molding Materials Selection Guide

Design Tips for Injection Molding

3D printing vs. injection moulding

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

Basic Injection Molding Articles

Latest Injection Molding Articles

clock
6 min

Tolerances in Injection Molding

clock
6 min

Injection Molding Technology Overview

clock
5 min

Injection Molding vs. Compression Molding: Differences and Comparison

clock
6 min

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

All Injection Molding Articles

Die Casting

ADC12 aluminium die cast parts
clock
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.

Featured content

Design Tips for Die Casting

Die Casting General Overview: Process, Materials & Applications

Basic Die Casting Articles

Vacuum Casting

clock
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.

Featured content

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

Vacuum cast parts

Vacuum Casting Material Selection

Vacuum Casting: Technology Overview

Basic Vacuum Casting Articles

Compression Molding

clock
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.

Featured content

Injection Molding vs. Compression Molding: Differences and Comparison

Compression Molding: Technology Overview

Basic Compression Molding Articles

Plastic Extrusion

White plastic windowsill
clock
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.

Featured content

Basic Plastic Extrusion Articles

Thermoforming

clock
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.

Featured content

Materials

clock
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.

Featured content

3D Printing Materials Selection Guide

CNC Machining Material Selection

ADC12 aluminium die cast parts

Die Casting Material Selection Guide

Mix Plastic pellets

Injection Molding Materials Selection Guide

Basic Materials Articles

Latest Materials Articles

clock
7 min
Metal sheets with galvanised painted finish

Sheet Metal Materials Selection Guide

clock
7 min
Sheet metal laser cut parts

Steel Hardening Explained

clock
7 min
Vacuum cast parts

Vacuum Casting Material Selection

clock
3 min
Steel materials

Cross-Reference Table of Steel Designation Standards

clock
7 min

The Best Flexible Materials in 3D Printing

clock
5 min
SLS 3D printed cup

How to Get Stronger 3D Printed Parts

All Materials Articles

Design

clock
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

clock
3 min
FDM PLA parts

Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM) 3D Printing Design Tips

clock
4 min
SLS Nylon PA12 as-printed sample part

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

clock
3 min

Design Tips for Direct Metal Laser Sintering 3D Printing

clock
2 min

Design Tips for Carbon DLS™ 3D Printing

clock
3 min
Polyjet printed part

Polyjet 3D Printing Design Tips

clock
2 min
SLA 3D printed parts

Stereolithography (SLA) 3D Printing Design Tips

All Design Articles

Post-Processing

clock
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.

Featured content

Injection Molding Surface Finishes: SPI and VDI

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

Latest Post-Processing Articles

clock
4 min
Sheet metal aluminium black anodised part

Everything You Need to Know About Black Anodizing

clock
4 min
Colored 3D printed parts

Color 3D Printing Options Overview

clock
5 min

Powder Coating vs. Anodizing for Aluminium

clock
5 min

Anodizing Aluminium: An Effective Finishing Option

clock
6 min

Sheet Metal Finishes: Plating And Polishing Options

All Post-Processing Articles

Industry Insights

CNC Machining process
clock
6 min

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

This new and promising manufacturing system meets the evolving requirements of both manufacturers and consumers. It allows for better control of production and cost containment.

Featured content

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

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