In this episode, we talk you through supply chain management and how to reduce risk through on-demand manufacturing. The topics we will be talking through today are: Strategic importance of supply chain safeguards The bottom line Identifying opportunities Quoting and design for manufacturability (DFM) analysis Product development Pilot production Bridge to production ..read more

In this episode, we discuss threading considerations when CNC Machining a part. The topics we will be talking through today are: What is a thread? Internal threads - process and factors to consider External threads - process and factors to consider Coil inserts Modelling threads in CAD Internal and external threads summary Considerations when designing a part that requires threading ..read more

In this episode we answer your questions on CNC big block with David Ewing, EMEA Product Manager - CNC Machining at Protolabs. See below for a list of questions answered in this session: What is meant when you refer to the term "Big Block"? What materials are open to Big Block? What kind of tolerances can be achieved with the Big Block capabilities? What is the minimum quantity I can have if I choose CNC? What kind of materials are used in CNC & what should I consider when selecting for my machined parts? I'm looking to have a logo put on to my part, is this worth doing? What is the minim ..read more

This series of podcasts is aimed to help you design better parts for digital manufacturing. This is just one in a series of podcasts packed with useful tips that will hopefully save you some time and money. In this episode, we discuss design considerations for injection moulded parts, with a specific focus on overmoulding and insert moulding. The topics we will be talking through today are: Overmoulding: Process, method, material selection, considerations, and chemical and mechanical bonding Insert moulding: Process and method Why use overmoulding and insert moulding? For further reading ..read more

In this episode we answer your questions on Family tooling, also known as branch tooling, with Richard Anthony, a Senior Application Engineer at Protolabs. See below for a list of questions answered in this session: What is meant by the term 'family tooling'? Are there any other recognised terms used in the industry? Why and when should I consider family mould tools? Will my part design be limited? What is the maximum part size I can expect? Does my choice of material impact this? Will material flow be effected? Can I expect the same quality? In our next session we will be answering your que ..read more

In this episode, we discuss essential design considerations when 3D printing your part. The topics we will be talking through today are: • Rapid prototyping with Stereolithography • Prototyping with PolyJet 3D printing • 3D printing fully functional parts with Selective Laser Sintering • How to use Multi Jet Fusion for functional 3D-printed parts • The basics of metal 3D printing part design Click here to access the white paper on 3D Printing Materials referred to in this podcast ..read more

In this episode we answer your questions on CNC optimisation with David Ewing, EMEA Product Manager - CNC Machining at Protolabs. See below for a list of questions answered in this session: What is CNC Machining and why is it important? What are the advantages of using this process rather than others? What advice would you give on hole depth and diameter? My current design is quite complex - what tolerances can I achieve with you? There's a threaded element to my part design, do you have any guidelines on maximum size I should go for? I've heard about 'burring' but can you explain what this i ..read more

This series of podcasts is aimed to help you design better parts for digital manufacturing. This is just one in a series of podcasts packed with useful tips that will hopefully save you some time and money. In this episode, we talk you through some important injection moulding extras that may support your projects: family tooling and multi-cavity moulds. For further reading, please see below links to the white papers referred to in this podcast: Liquid Silicone Rubber Designing for Mouldability: Complex Features ..read more

In this episode we answer your questions on DMLS with Tasos Pantelis, an Application Engineer at Protolabs and our 3D Champion for Europe. See below for a list of questions answered in this session: • In general, where is a break even point between this process and standard machine items, in reference to the number of items produced? • How much does the resolution setting effect component price? • What is the maximum size/mass that can currently be made? • What level of porosity is present in a DMLS part? are secondary operations required to achieve pressure tightness? • Cost wise, how does t ..read more

In this episode we answer your questions on Liquid Silicone Rubber (LSR) with Richard Anthony, an Application Engineer at Protolabs and our Injection Moulding Champion for Europe. See below for a list of questions answered in this session: What is LSR? What industries is this application used for? What are the similarities between LSR and standard Injection Moulding? What is the maximum part size for LSR? What kind of finish can I expect from a LSR part? Would I need to consider draft? Should I anticipate sink with LSR? Is the part ejected using pins? Can I produce parts with undercuts and is ..read more