Understanding Surface Finishes: From As-Machined to Mirror Polish
From a Mechanical Engineering standpoint, surface finish is a critical specification that governs a part’s topography, influencing its function, durability,…
The Ultimate Guide to Vacuum Casting for Prototypes
Vacuum casting, often known as urethane casting, is an additive manufacturing process used to produce high-quality, functional prototypes and small…
How to Create a Technical Data Package (TDP) for Manufacturers
A Technical Data Package (TDP) is the complete and authoritative set of technical documentation that defines a component or system,…
Introduction to GD&T in Manufacturing
Geometric Dimensioning and Tolerancing (GD&T) is a symbolic language used on engineering drawings to precisely define the form, orientation, location, and…
How to Perform a First Article Inspection (FAI)
From a mechanical engineering standpoint, First Article Inspection (FAI) is a formal, comprehensive verification process to validate that a new…
Lean Manufacturing Principles for Mechanical Engineers
From a Mechanical Engineering standpoint, Lean Manufacturing is a systematic approach to designing and improving production processes to eliminate waste (non-value-added…
What is Six Sigma and Why Should Engineers Care?
From a Mechanical Engineering standpoint, Six Sigma is a disciplined, data-driven methodology for eliminating defects and reducing variation in manufacturing and…
A Beginner’s Guide to GD&T Inspection with a CMM
From a Mechanical Engineering standpoint, inspecting Geometric Dimensioning and Tolerancing (GD&T) with a Coordinate Measuring Machine (CMM) is the definitive…
The Rise of Hybrid Manufacturing (Additive + Subtractive)
Hybrid manufacturing, which integrates additive (3D printing) and subtractive (e.g., CNC machining) processes into a single machine, is rising as…
