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ResourcesMachining Design

Machining Design

The latest news, trends, and manufacturing design tips for custom machined and fabricated parts.

All Articles3D Printing DesignBlogCase StudiesCastingCertificationsCompanyDesign GuidesIndustry DesignInjection MoldingMachining DesignMaterialsMetal and Plastic ExtrusionSheetSupplier Shop TipsSupply ChainTubeeBooks Library
All Articles3D Printing DesignBlogCase StudiesCastingCertificationsCompanyDesign GuidesIndustry DesignInjection MoldingMachining DesignMaterialsMetal and Plastic ExtrusionSheetSupplier Shop TipsSupply ChainTubeeBooks Library
NC milling machine. Image Credit: Shutterstock.com/Pixel B
 Article

All About NC Machining: Process, Materials, Applications, and Cost

By Dean McClements
 8 min read
Form milling. Image Credit: Shutterstock.com/KPixMining
 Article

Form Milling: How It Works, Types, Advantages, and Disadvantages

By Dean McClements
 14 min read
Article
Anodized parts in color. Image Credit: Shutterstock.com/socrates471

Everything You Need To Know About Chromic Acid Anodizing

By Dean McClements
  7 min read
Article
CNC milling. Image Credit: Shutterstock.com/Pixel B

Post-Processor: Definition, How It Works, and Uses

By Dean McClements
  10 min read
Article
Centerless grinding machine. Image Credit: Shutterstock.com/Surasak_Photo

Centerless Grinding: Principles and How It Works

By Dean McClements
  9 min read
Article
Grinding machine. Image Credit: Shutterstock.com/Lukas Gojda

Grinding Machine: Definition, Uses, Types, and Applications

By Dean McClements
  17 min read
Article
Grinding metal. Image Credit: Shutterstock.com/Dovzhykov Andriy

19 Types of Grinding Machines and Their Uses

By Dean McClements
  16 min read
Article
Bent sheet metal with thin walls

CNC Machining: How to Avoid High Costs on Thin Walls

By Greg Paulsen
  2 min read
Article
Sheet metal cutting on a part. Image Credit: Shutterstock.com/Guryanov Andrey

5 Ways to Reduce Costs on Sheet Metal Fabrication

By Joel Schadegg
  2 min read
Article
parts and drawings on a table

DFM Tips: A Quick Look at Designing Parts That Are Easy to CNC Machine

By William Krueger
  3 min read
Article
Sulfur oxidated anodized parts. Image Credit: Shutterstock.com/feliciacinca

Everything You Need To Know About Sulfuric Acid Anodizing

By Dean McClements
  8 min read
Article
Plastic fabricated parts. Image Credit: Shutterstock.com/yohaken surasak

Plastic Fabrication: Definition, Purpose, How It Works, Advantages, and Examples

By Dean McClements
  13 min read
Article
Face and end mills for profile milling. Image Credit: Shutterstock.com/Sergey Ryzhov

Profile Milling: Definition, Process Types, and Tools

By Dean McClements
  10 min read
Article
Milling. Image Credit: Shutterstock.com/Flystock

Climb Milling vs. Conventional Milling: Their Key Differences

By Dean McClements
  16 min read
Article
Epoxy coating. Image Credit: Shutterstock.com/

6 Different Types of Coatings

By Dean McClements
  12 min read
Article
Tapered tailstock. Image Credit: Shutterstock.com/Surasak_Photo

Taper: Definition, Purpose, Types, and Methods

By Dean McClements
  8 min read
Article
Slot milling. Image Credit: Shutterstock.com/Pixel B

Slot Milling: How It Works, Types, Advantages, and Disadvantages

By Dean McClements
  10 min read
Article
CNC Machinist. Image Credit: Shutterstock.com/Kzenon

CNC Machinist: Job Roles and Descriptions

By Greg Paulsen
  8 min read
Article
5 axis CNC machine at work

The Advantages of 5-Axis CNC Machining

By Greg Paulsen
  4 min read
Article
Two-wheel knurling tools. Image Credit: Shutterstock.com/KPixMining

All About Knurling in Manufacturing

By Dean McClements
  11 min read
Article
Parts with threaded holes

Threaded Holes: An Introduction and Guidelines

By Greg Paulsen
  6 min read
Article
Angle milling. Image Credit: Shutterstock.com/Pixel B

Angle Milling: Definition, Process, Types, and Tips

By Dean McClements
  13 min read
Article
Automotive ceramic coating. Image Credit: Shutterstock.com/PH888

Ceramic Coating: Purpose, How It Works, Benefits, and Downsides

By Dean McClements
  11 min read
Article
Sulfur oxidated anodized aluminium parts. Image Credit: Shutterstock.com/teh_z1b

Everything You Need to Know About Hard Coat Anodizing

By Kat de Naoum
  4 min read
Article
Face milling cutter. Image Credit: Shutterstock.com/Pixel B

Face Milling vs. Peripheral Milling: What Are the Key Differences?

By Dean McClements
  9 min read
Article
Sawmilling. Image Credit: Shutterstock.com/PH888

Sawmilling: Operation, Materials Used, and Applications

By Dean McClements
  10 min read
Article
Anodized aluminum. Image Credit: Shutterstock.com/SHINPANU

Anodizing vs. Electroplating - What's the Difference?

By Dean McClements
  15 min read
Article
Face milling. Image Credit: Shutterstock.com/Flystock

Face Milling: Definition, Process, Tools, and Operations

By Dean McClements
  15 min read
Article
Blanchard grinding machine. Image Credit: https://langegrinding.com/equipments/blanchard-grinders/

Blanchard Grinding: Applications, Suited Materials, and How It Works

By Dean McClements
  8 min read
Article
Counterboring a hole during metalworking. Image Credit: Shutterstock.com/Dmitry Kalinovsky

What Are Counterbore Holes in Machining?

By Dean McClements
  6 min read
Article
CNC EDM wire cut machine. Image Credit: Shutterstock.com/Surasak_Photo

The History of CNC Machining

By Dean McClements
  7 min read
Article
Passivated nuts. Image Credit: Shutterstock.com/Steven Giles

All About Passivation

By Kat de Naoum
  3 min read
Article

Plain Milling: Process, Uses, Advantages, and Disadvantages

By Dean McClements
  8 min read
Article
Etching before anodization. Image Credit: Shutterstock.com/SHINPANU

Importance of Etching Before Anodization

By Dean McClements
  8 min read
Article
Teflon coated pans. Image Credit: Shutterstock.com/socrates471

Teflon™ Coating: Is It Safe To Use?

By Dean McClements
  14 min read
Article
Anodized aluminum. Image Credit: Shutterstock.com/AlexanderLipko

Everything You Need to Know About Anodizing

By Kat de Naoum
  8 min read
Article
CNC milling machine. Image Credit: Shutterstock.com/Red ivory

12 Types of CNC Machines

By Dean McClements
  7 min read
Article
Machine tool. Image Credit: Shutterstock.com/NDAB Creativity

All the CNC Machining Costs You Need to Know About

By Kat de Naoum
  6 min read
Article
CNC turning machine. Image Credit: Shutterstock.com/Red ivory

CNC Machining vs. Plastic Injection Molding

By Dean McClements
  8 min read
Article
Wire cut machine controlled by CNC program - Image credit: Shutterstock/Pixel B

All About Wire EDM Machining

By Kat de Naoum
  5 min read
Article
Worker operating a CNC machine with a g-code monitor. Image Credit: Shutterstock.com/Quality Stock Arts

Get to Know G-Code

By Kat de Naoum
  4 min read
Article
CNC milling machine. Image Credit: Shutterstock.com/Pixel B

9 Types of Machining Processes to Know About

By Kat de Naoum
  6 min read
Article
CNC line production of industrial products - Image Credit: Shutterstock/volodyar

All About CNC Machining and How It Works

By Kat de Naoum
  6 min read
Article
CNC machining metal. Image Credit: Shutterstock.com/NDAB Creativity

13 Parts of a CNC Machine — CNC Block Diagram

By Kat de Naoum
  7 min read
Article
Swiss machining. Image Credit: Shutterstock.com/Pixel B

All About Swiss Machining

By Kat de Naoum
  5 min read
Article
Anodized aluminum parts in color. Image Credit: Shutterstock.com/SHINPANU

Hard Anodizing Colors: What You Need To Know

By Kat de Naoum
  3 min read
Article
Sinker EDM machine simulation. Image Credit: Shutterstock.com/Pixel B

All About Sinker EDM Machining

By Kat de Naoum
  4 min read
Article
Drilling machine making hole for wire EDM. Image Credit: Shutterstock.com/Pixel B

All About Hole Drill EDM Machining

By Kat de Naoum
  3 min read
Article
aluminum anodized parts

All About Aluminum Anodizing

By Kat de Naoum
  5 min read
Article
part with threaded hole

Tapped Hole vs. Threaded Hole - The Definitive Comparison

By Kat de Naoum
  5 min read
Article
Xometry Image

All About Bead Blasting Your Parts

By Joel Schadegg
  11 min read
Article
Plasma cutting nozzles. Image Credit: Shutterstock.com/Nordroden

All About CNC Plasma Cutting

By Kat de Naoum
  7 min read
Article
Various thread taps.

13 Different Types of Thread Taps

By Kat de Naoum
  9 min read
Article
Spotfacing end mill reamer. Image Credit: Shutterstock.com/Tools navigation

What Are Spotface Holes in Engineering?

By Dean McClements
  6 min read
Article
Colorful anodized aluminum. Image Credit: Shutterstock.com/SHINPANU

All About Anodized Aluminum Colors

By Kat de Naoum
  4 min read
Article
Anodized titanium. Image Credit: Shutterstock.com/Zita

What Is the 720 Rule for Anodization?

By Dean McClements
  9 min read
Article
Milling machining. Image Credit: Shutterstock.com/Pixel B

All About Milling in Machining

By Kat de Naoum
  8 min read
Article
Step turning on a lathe. Image Credit: Shutterstock.com/akiti

Step Turning: Purpose, Process, Advantages, and Disadvantages

By Dean McClements
  10 min read
Article
Drilling tool mill ends for CNC machine - Image Credit: Shutterstock/Pixel B

14 Types of Reamer Tools Used in Machining

By Dean McClements
  9 min read
Article
A wire EDM machine cutting a gear shape. Image Credit: Shutterstock.com/Pixel B

10 Best Wire EDM Machine Manufacturers

By Dean McClements
  10 min read
Article
Sheet metal being bent. Image Credit: Shutterstock.com/Dreamsquare

Sheet Metal Bending: The Basics

By Greg Paulsen
  2 min read
Article
Engineer looking at a CAD design on a laptop. Image Credit: Shutterstock.com/Gorodenkoff

Video: 10 Tips to Improve Your CAD Designs for CNC Machining

By Joel Schadegg
  4 min read
Article
high precision cnc part

What Every Designer Needs to Know About CNC Part Tolerances

By Greg Paulsen
  3 min read
Article
Wood turner making a spinning top - Image Credit: Shutterstock/PicksArt

6 Turning Tools for Wood Lathes: Their Uses and Applications

By Dean McClements
  9 min read
Article
3-axis CNC milling machine. Image Credit: Shutterstock.com/Pixel B

3-Axis vs. 5-Axis CNC Machining: What to Know

By Kat de Naoum
  3 min read
Article
Milling a gear wheel. Image Credit: Shutterstock.com/Dmitry Kalinovsky

Everything You Need to Know About Gear Cutting

By Dean McClements
  9 min read
Article
Countersink hole drill bit. Image Credit: Shutterstock.com/evkaz

Differences Between Countersink and Counterbore Holes in Machining

By Kat de Naoum
  4 min read
Article
Wire EDM machine. Image Credit: Shutterstock.com/Pixel B

How Electrical Discharge Machining Works

By Dean McClements
  8 min read
Article
Metal milling machining. Image Credit: Shutterstock.com/muratart

All About Boring Machining

By Kat de Naoum
  6 min read
Article
CNC machinists working on program. Image Credit: Shutterstock.com/Monkey Business Images

5 Important CNC Machinist Skills

By Dean McClements
  9 min read
Article
Machinist operating a CNC machine. Image Credit: Shutterstock.com/Monkey Business Images

7 Top Benefits of CNC Machining

By Dean McClements
  6 min read
Article
Countersink hole drill bit. Image Credit: Shutterstock.com/evkaz

What Are Countersink Holes in Engineering?

By Dean McClements
  7 min read
Article
CNC router. Image Credit: Shutterstock.com/tuzla

CNC Router vs. CNC Mill — What's the Difference?

By Kat de Naoum
  7 min read
Article
red and silver CNC machined parts

Size Limitations for CNC Machining

By Aaron Lichtig
  1 min read
Article
Person working with CAD at their computer.

All About CAM Milling

By Kat de Naoum
  12 min read
Article
CNC face milling. Image Credit: Shutterstock.com/Nordroden

The Differences Between Face Milling and End Milling

By Kat de Naoum
  5 min read
Article
Manufacturing process from plastic on a CNC milling machine - Image Credit: Shutterstock/Akimov Igor

All About CNC Routers

By Kat de Naoum
  4 min read
Article
Titanium anodized bolts. Image Credit: Shutterstock.com/TSUKASA HASEGAWA

A Complete Overview of Titanium Anodizing

By Dean McClements
  7 min read
Article
Drill bit and centering dowel jig. Image Credit: Shutterstock.com/kasarp studio

Jigs and Fixtures in Manufacturing

By Kat de Naoum
  6 min read
Article
CNC milling process. Image Credit: Shutterstock.com/Dmitry Kalinovsky

Everything You Need to Know About CNC Milling

By Kat de Naoum
  8 min read
Article

All About Side Milling

By Kat de Naoum
  9 min read
Article
Engineer using CAD software. Image credit: Shutterstock.com/Gorodenkoff

Your Guide to CNC Programming and How it Works

By Kat de Naoum
  7 min read
Article
finished CNC part

Choosing the Right Finish for Your CNC Machined Parts

By Greg Paulsen
  2 min read
Article
example of a technical drawing

Video: How to Create a Technical Drawing for CNC Machining

By Joel Schadegg
  1 min read
Article
Machined part made from Garolite

Manufacturing with Garolite Machining

By Greg Paulsen
  4 min read
Article

Sheet Metal Mini-Guide

By Joel Schadegg
  2 min read
Article
Die insert cutting process by wire cut machine controlled by CNC - Image credit: Shutterstock/Pixel B

3 Types of EDM Machining and Their Differences

By Dean McClements
  8 min read
Article
Component showing both through and blind holes. Image Credit: Shutterstock.com/Rattanapon Ninlapoom

What Are Blind Holes in Engineering and Machining?

By Aaron Lichtig
  8 min read
Article
Metal lathe rotating parts - Image Credit: Shutterstock/Red_Shadow

9 Types of Turning Operations You Should Know

By Dean McClements
  6 min read
Article
Bevel edge gear. Image Credit: Shutterstock.com/Craig Russell

Guide to Bevel (Beveling)

By Dean McClements
  11 min read
Article
Video thumbnail

[Video] 5 Cost Saving Design Tips for CNC Machining

By Greg Paulsen
  3 min read
Article
CNC machined 3-, 4-, and 5-axis metal parts

The Best Ways to Pressure Test Complex CNC Parts

By Peter Jacobs
  4 min read
Article
Milling in operation. Image Credit: Shutterstock.com/Andrei Armiagov

15 Types of Milling Operations

By Kat de Naoum
  7 min read
Article

Metal Parts Manufacturing - How to Make Custom Metal Parts

By Greg Paulsen
  15 min read
Article
A turned part

Difference Between a Mill and a Lathe

By Greg Paulsen
  4 min read
Article
Drilling part in CNC milling machine - Image credit: Shutterstock/luchschenF

Drilling Machines - Parts, Types, and Uses

By Kat de Naoum
  9 min read
Article
CNC programmable machine for metal - Image Credit: Shutterstock/wellphoto

6 Parts of a CNC Router - CNC Router Components

By Dean McClements
  8 min read
Article
Range of CNC parts and tubes. Image Credit: Shutterstock.com/Phonlamai Photo

3 Things to Know About Size Limitations for CNC Machining

By Serena Ngoh
  1 min read
Article
Metal part on high precision CNC lathe turning machine - Image Credit: Shutterstock/Surasak_Photo

8 Parts of a CNC Lathe Machine

By Dean McClements
  9 min read
Article
Turning in machining by CNC lathe machine. Image Credit: Shutterstock.com/Pixel B

What is Turning in Machining?

By Dean McClements
  6 min read
Article
Molds for casting. Image Credit: Shutterstock.com/Sergey Ryzhov

Soft Tooling vs. Hard Tooling: What Makes These Processes Different

By Kat de Naoum
  7 min read
Article
water jet cutting. Image Credit: Shutterstock.com/Pixel B

Understanding Water Jetting

By Aaron Lichtig
  4 min read
Article
Black oxide coated bolts. Image Credit: Shutterstock.com/Matee Nuserm

Black Oxide 101: What You Need To Know

By Kat de Naoum
  10 min read
Article
Thread tapping. Image Credit: Shutterstock.com/KPixMining

Thread Milling vs. Tapping: What Are the Differences?

By Kat de Naoum
  6 min read
Article
Xometry Image

All About Taper Turning

By Kat de Naoum
  9 min read
Article
Tapping in machining. Image Credit: Shutterstock.com/KPixMining

Understanding Tapping in Machining

By Dean McClements
  12 min read
Article
Counterbore hole drilling in a metal workshop. Image Credit: Shutterstock.com/arfa adam

Spotface vs. Counterbore Holes in Machining: Their Key Differences

By Dean McClements
  6 min read
Article
Black anodized extrusion bars. Image Credit: Shutterstock.com/stockphoto-graf

Everything You Need To Know About Black Anodizing

By Dean McClements
  6 min read
Article
CNC part from above

Quick Tips for CNC Machined Parts with Undercuts

By Aaron Lichtig
  2 min read
Article

Ways to Save Money on CNC Prototypes

By Greg Paulsen
  4 min read
Article
Titanium anodized nuts and bolts. Image Credit: Shutterstock.com/L-51

Titanium Anodizing Colors: What You Need To Know

By Dean McClements
  8 min read
Article
Thread milling. Image Credit: Shutterstock.com/Pixel B

How Thread Milling Works

By Dean McClements
  10 min read
Article
Cutting tool counterboring a hole. Image Credit: Shutterstock.com/Dmitry Kalinovsky

Types of Holes in Engineering

By Dean McClements
  7 min read
Article
part rendering with internal corner radii

CNC Machining Design Tip: Optimizing Internal Corner Radii

By Dean McClements
  2 min read
Article
End milling operation. Image Credit: Shutterstock.com/Pixel B

All About End Milling

By Dean McClements
  12 min read
Article
hand holding sheet metal part. Image Credit: Shutterstock.com/Dmitry Kalinovsky

How to Start Designing with Common Sheet Metal Features in Autodesk Inventor

By SolidProfessor
  4 min read
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an illustration of a CNC part, with several optimized design elements

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CNC parts

How to Reduce CNC Machining Costs

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Xometry Image

How to Read Aluminum Alloys and Tempers

By Greg Paulsen
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