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Combining Rigid and Flexible Materials with PolyJet Overmolding
Overmolding is a familiar feature when manufacturing injection molded parts, but you can do the same thing with PolyJet 3D printing. Find out how.
Using Lattice Structures in 3D Printing for Strength and Lightweighting
A great thing about 3D printed parts is they can be lightweighted while improving strength and durability. The secret is using an interior lattice structure
How to Solve for Size Constraints, Small Gaps, and Thin Walls in 3D-Printed Parts
3DP design for manufacturing (DFM) advisories help avoid production delays and wasted iterations.
Why You Should Use Vapor Smoothing on 3D-Printed Parts
Vapor smoothing uses chemical vapors to smooth and remove surface impurities from 3D-printed parts.
Solving Wall Thickness Issues in Molded Parts
Address design change requests related to slot widths and wall thicknesses for molded parts.
Finding the Right Corrosion-resistant Metals
Parts turning to piles of rust? These materials can help you avoid the scourge of corrosion.
Plastics that Meet Medical Needs
Safety and longevity are paramount with plastic medical parts. Which work best for your application?
Common Impact-Resistant Plastics
Need long-lasting plastic parts? Take a dive into the world of impact-resistant plastics.
UV Resistant Plastics
This design tip evaluates UV-resistant plastic options available for injection molding, 3D printing, and CNC machining.
Glass Transition Temperature of Polymers
Glass transition temperature (Tg) affects moldability, strength, elasticity, transparency, and more.
Understanding Powder Bed Fusion Technology
Powder bed fusion (PBF) is a 3D printing technology that sinters (fuses) powder particles together.
How to Choose a Heat Resistant Plastic
Melted plastic parts stink. Find out what materials will help you avoid this issue in your products.
Mold Texture Standards and Finishes
Explore your options, including standard and Mold-Tech finishes, for your plastic molded parts.
The Basics of Bend Radii in Sheet Metal
Understanding what values such as K-factor, bend allowance/deduction, and outside setbacks mean and how they work helps avoid common sheet metal design mistakes and might just streamline your development process.
Fine-Tuning Tolerances for CNC Machined Parts
Standard machining tolerances can maximize quality, reduce cost, & simplify designs for your parts.
How to Design STL Files for 3D Printing in Your CAD Program
Try these tips to optimize your design for STL—the common CAD format used in additive manufacturing
Plating and Other Finishing Options for CNC Machining, Sheet Metal
Check out these machining and sheet metal finishing options to protect parts and improve function.
7 Mistakes to Avoid When Designing 3D-Printed Parts
Improve part design in 3D printing by adhering to minimum feature sizes, avoiding warpage, and more.
Manufacturing Tool Kit for the Aerospace Industry
These four things can improve product development and design for aerospace and defense companies.
11 Ways to Cut Sheet Metal Fabrication Costs
Explore and try these 11 design tactics that can help you save money on sheet metal parts.
Optimizing for Higher-Volume Machining
Get quick-turn machined production parts for less & finishing options from a single-source supplier.
9 Mistakes to Avoid When Designing Injection Molded Parts
Navigate these challenges to improve design, shorten production time, reduce costs on molded parts.
How to Design for Nylon 3D Printing
Consider these guidelines when designing for Multi Jet Fusion and selective laser sintering.
A Guide to Medical Parts Manufacturing
8 ways to improve design, development, and function of medical products and devices
6 Mistakes to Avoid When Designing Machined Parts
We’ve compiled six common machining issues to avoid to help you improve part design and reduce cost.
8 Mistakes to Avoid When Designing Sheet Metal Parts
We’ve compiled the most typical sheet metal design issues to help you avoid delays and added costs.
Manufacturing Tool Kit for Consumer Electronics
4 ways to improve part design through customization, material considerations, iterative prototyping, and the use of digital manufacturing.
CNC Machining Materials
With a universe of metal and plastic options available, keep in mind your machined part’s function when choosing material.
Create Production Parts with Carbon 3D Printing
Get tips on how to design for Carbon, and how the technology stacks up against stereolithography and Multi Jet Fusion.
8 Rules to Convert Solid 3D Designs to Flat Sheet Metal
Designing sheet metal parts requires you to think of them and their features as flat, formable objects. Doing that is key to manufacturability.
A Closer Look at Material Properties
When designing plastic or metal parts, your material’s mechanical, physical, thermal, and electrical properties are often critical.
Post-Processing for Metal 3D Printing
Learn how to improve dimensional accuracy, surface roughness, and mechanical properties on metal parts with high-requirement applications.
Integrating Hardware into Sheet Metal
Consider hardware material, placement, and other specifications to help optimize sheet metal parts.
Balancing CNC Machining and 3D Printing for Metal Parts
How subtractive and additive manufacturing create the ideal equation for metal manufacturing
How to Design 3D-Printed Hinges
Material selection, hinge length, and degree of bend are all critical when designing 3D-printed parts with living hinges.
Using 3D Printing for Complex Jigs and Fixtures
Additive manufacturing is an excellent complement or alternative to machining when irregular, intricate, or smaller jigs and fixtures are needed.
Molded Threads and How to Design Them
Threading for injection-molded plastic parts is complex—use these design tips to navigate the process seamlessly.
7 Ways to Enhance 3D-Printed Parts with Secondary Ops
Secondary operations for commercial-grade 3D printing can improve form and function of additive manufactured parts after build is complete
Solving Gating Problems in Injection Molding
Consider three types of gate options and the location or placement of those gates when designing parts for injection molding.
Using Ejector Pins Properly on Molded Parts
The proper design and position of ejector pins can help minimize their effect on your injection-molded parts.
7 Ways to Improve Sheet Metal Parts
Consider material and finishing options along with design elements like bends, reliefs, holes, and slots when developing sheet metal components.
Mastering Complex Features on Machined Parts
Create complex machined parts faster and more efficiently with a few quick tips.
5 Ways to Master Complex Features in Injection-Molded Parts
Create engaging, efficient parts, plus reduce costs with these complex injection molding design techniques.
How to Use Multi Jet Fusion for Functional 3D-Printed Parts
Create functional prototypes and end-use production parts with HP’s 3D printing technology.
Designing for Overmolding
Overmolding can be used to add a second molded part to an existing part, such as a grip, handle, or cover.
Building Strength into Parts with Insert Molding
A combination of both plastic and metal, insert molding can add strength and durability to parts.
Optical LSR for Lighting Applications
Optical liquid silicone rubber is replacing glass in many optical and lighting applications. LSR can also help simplify design and molding challenges.
Threading Considerations for CNC Machining
Learn more about adding threaded features to machined parts, and how to display these features in CAD programs and Protolabs’ quoting system.
Industrial 3D Printing for Production Parts
Focus on the process, material selection, and part geometry when designing functional metal and thermoplastic parts for additive manufacturing
Prototyping with PolyJet 3D Printing
Use PolyJet to combine elastomeric and rigid properties together for prototyping two-material components.
6 Ways to Cut Costs, Improve Designs with Industrial 3D Printing
Additive manufacturing can reduce costs in prototyping and low-volume production, provided you know the rules.
3D Printing Fully Functional Parts with Selective Laser Sintering
Selective laser sintering is a 3D printing method that builds durable plastic parts for prototyping and low-volume production.
Selecting a Material for Stereolithography (SLA) 3D Printing
Compare materials for stereolithography with one another and with injection-molded plastics.
An Introduction to Stereolithography (SLA) 3D Printing
Stereolithography, a staple of 3D printing, can deliver complex prototypes quickly and accurately.
Creating Complex Undercuts with Bumpoffs
Creating Complex Undercuts with Bumpoffs
9 Strategies for Designing Multipart Assemblies
Creating cost-effective assemblies often means lower part counts, flexible yet simple product designs, and a look at alternative manufacturing technologies.
6 Ways to Achieve Undercut Success in Molded Parts
If your part design requires undercuts, consider side-action cams, bumpoffs, inserts, and other complex injection molding techniques.
11 Tips to Reduce Injection Molding Costs
Stretch your budget with these injection molding design recommendations
Manufacturing Options for Plastic Prototyping
Look at material selection, geometry, and surface finish when manufacturing plastic parts with processes like 3D printing and machining.
Bridging the Gap Between Prototyping and Production
Bridging the Gap Between Prototyping and Production
Thermoplastic vs. Thermoset
Understand how thermoplastics and thermosets compare when exposed to high temperatures.
Selecting the Right Plastic for Your Next Molded Part
Learn about the key characteristics of common injection molding materials and recommended applications.
Finding a Balance with Resin Colorants
Finding a Balance with Resin Colorants
Thermoplastic Glass Filling, Colorants, and Other Additives
See how glass fibers, colorants, and other additives can enhance injection-molded parts, as well as the affect of colorants on the molding process and part design.
Improving Part Design with Uniform Wall Thickness
Achieve consistent walls and features with slight adjustments to geometry and materials
Adding Text into Part Design
Adding Text into Part Design
Sorting through Surface Finishes
Consider these tips for identifying the right surface finishes when designing molded parts.
Eliminating Side-Actions with Draft
Eliminating Side-Actions with Draft
Incorporating Shut-offs in Injection Molding Design
Incorporating Shut-offs in Injection Molding Design
Adding Crush Ribs to Molded Parts
Adding Crush Ribs to Molded Parts
Cutting Corners on Injection-Molded Parts
Cutting Corners on Injection-Molded Parts
Reading Between the Lines: Proper Planning for Parting Lines Can Improve Part Cosmetics and Functionality
Proper Planning for Parting Lines Can Improve Part Cosmetics and Functionality
5 Design Considerations for Multi-Cavity Molds
When moving from single- to multi-cavity tooling, parts might behave differently. Plan accordingly.
6 Ways to Simplify Mold Modifications
6 Ways to Simplify Mold Modifications
How to Plan for Design Changes Without Breaking the Bank
How to Plan for Design Changes Without Breaking the Bank
Creating self-mating parts in injection molding design
Creating self-mating parts in injection molding design
Injection Molding for Optical Applications
Learn more about thermoplastic components for lighting and optics
Designing Living Hinges that Fold Flat
Designing Living Hinges that Fold Flat
How to Leverage Low-Volume Injection Molding
Use on-demand manufacturing to reduce costs, provide critical inspections, tame demand volatility.
Minimizing Knit Lines
Minimizing Knit Lines
Knit Lines and How to Avoid Them
When injection molding a part, a knit line may present no problem, or can cause a serious structural problem. Take these steps to avoid knit lines.
How to Solve Gating Problems in Molding
How to Solve Gating Problems in Molding
Gate Considerations to Improve Moldability
Gate Considerations to Improve Moldability
Creating Channels in Part Design
Creating Channels in Part Design
Draft Angle Guidelines for Injection Molding
Apply proper draft early and often to injection-molded parts to save production time and money
Injection Molding Basics
How draft, radii, wall thickness and other design factors improve part manufacturability
Cosmetic Defects in Injection Molding and How to Avoid Them
Improve the appearance and performance of injection-molded parts by eliminating cosmetic issues early.
Conquering Complexities: Mold-Making Techniques Make Complicated Features Possible
Conquering Complexities: Mold-Making Techniques Make Complicated Features Possible
Designing Effective Clips for Molded Parts
Designing Effective Clips for Molded Parts
Using Side-Actions in Molding Design
Using Side-Actions in Molding Design
Plastic Boss Design on Molded Parts
Building Better Bosses
How to Choose Core and Cavity Placement for Injection Molding
Choosing Core and Cavity Placement for Molded Parts
Reinforce Parts With Support Features and Material Selection
Reinforce Parts With Support Features and Material Selection
Turning to Lathe For Parts with Cylindrical Features
For parts that have cylindrical features, using a lathe may be your best option.
How to Reduce CNC Machining Costs
Use these design and material considerations to cut your machining costs.
Selecting the Best 3D CAD Software for Digital Manufacturing
Enhance your prototyping and product development efforts with this design program and file format primer.
Mastering ProtoQuote: Create Better Parts With Our Design Analysis
Create Better Parts With Our Design Analysis
How to Use Mold Flow Analysis
Flow analysis helps determine gate placement, locate knit lines and identify areas where gas trappings can occur.
How Metal 3D Printing is Redefining Part Design
Direct metal laser sintering brings unprecedented freedom to those willing to rethink traditional part design.
Designing for Direct Metal Laser Sintering
Direct metal laser sintering (DMLS) produces complex, durable, lightweight metal parts. Depending on the design, DMLS can be a reliable way to manufacture metal parts.
Conquering Undercut Design Issues with Side-actions, Inserts, and Shut-offs
Solving undercut issues in design with side-actions, inserts, and shut-offs
8 Mistakes to Avoid When Designing Sheet Metal Parts
We’ve compiled the most typical sheet metal design issues to help you avoid delays and added costs.