Contract Manufacturing and Fabrication Reference Materials

Description: Sand casting is an economical process for making metal parts, but not everyone understands the complexity it's capable of. At Impro, our skilled patternmakers and experienced foundry personnel work ...

Description: Each year, the MIT Technology Review takes a look at "promising technologies posed to have a real impact on the world." And each year I enjoy taking a look through their picks. ...

Description: At Top Seiko, our reputation for excellence in precision mechanics is well-known. But how exactly does the manufacturing process begin with us? It's simple: it all starts with you. The first step to ...

Description: One of the biggest challenges in sand casting is to completely fill the mold cavity before the metal starts to freeze. It’s a problem that grows harder as the shape being cast gets more complex. ...

Description: The precision machine shops we run are set up with extensive capabilities for complex, tight tolerance work. This includes 4 and 5-axis machining centers and a range of turning, milling, and grinding ...

Description: Investment casting is used for parts that need high accuracy, excellent surface finish and fine detail. Achieving durability and performance goals requires these parts to be free from surface and ...

Description: Many industrial robots and robot systems rely on electric motors for their motion. There are situations though where hydraulic orbital motors are the better choice. After providing an introduction to ...

Description: In the tech world, we're pretty much accustomed to cycles of perpetual improvement. For years - make that decades - the semiconductor industry lived by the Moore's Law mantra, which held that, every ...

Description: While used to make paints, adhesives and inks, dicyclopentadiene (DCPD) resin also offers a means to fabricate a variety of larger components through the use of reaction injection molding (RIM) ...

Description: Manufacturers in nearly every industry use prototypes to test new products and how they work in real-world situations. It’s a cost-effective way to iron out any issues with a product or part and ...

Description: One of the advantages of custom plastic molding is the ability to easily accommodate molded-in components. From brackets or threaded inserts to attach molded plastic parts to finished equipment or ...

Description: In 1976, Osborne Industries, Inc., originated and initiated the closed-mold molding process that was later known in the plastics industry as resin transfer molding, or RTM. The resin transfer molding ...

Description: CFS has thousands of items in-stock in three convenient locations across the US. If you can't find exactly what you need, reach out to learn about how custom solutions can solve your most challenging ...

Description: Are you developing a prototype or mechanical part that features flat surfaces? Although your designs may appear flat, post-production warping can significantly affect prototype validation and part ...

Description: Back in 2014, Tom Peters profoundly stated “But when you go to war, you need to have both toilet paper and bullets, at the right place at the right time” – little did he realize how ...

Description: Technology is ultra-critical, especially when we consider that heart disease is the leading cause of death in the U.S., and few of us will be exempt from experiencing heart-related illness for ...

Description: Unlike the Apollo missions, the latest moon landing is largely private. The Odysseus is from Intuitive Machines, a Texas company that runs a commercial lunar program, and it was launched from a Space ...

Description: At Critical Link, we spend a lot of time thinking about processors, and for a while now, some of that thinking has been around ARM vs. RISC-V Instruction Set Architectures, or ISA's which are ...

Description: As it turns out, vending machines have gotten smart. Really smart. Facial recognition smart. ...

Description: The goat head that's installed on the top of a frac tree undergoes a lot of precision machining during its manufacture. As an essential element of a hydraulic fracturing Christmas tree, it provides ...

Description: The tools and equipment used on oil rigs and in oil and gas extraction are made from alloys that are hard to machine. Our blog, "Drilling into Precision: Machining for Oil Rig Equipment", discusses ...

Description: Investment casting yields accurate metal parts with detailed features, thin walls and smooth surfaces. This is achieved by using wax patterns that replicate the part being made. These patterns can now ...

Description: Explore the forefront of logistics innovation with unmanned vehicles, revolutionising last-mile deliveries through cutting-edge AI and autonomous tech. Amidst the surge in research and development ...

Description: Are you developing a prototype or mechanical part that features flat surfaces? Although your designs may appear flat, post-production warping can significantly affect prototype validation and part ...

Description: Swiss screw machining is for turning long, cylindrical parts like rods, pins, and screws. It's a precision process capable of maintaining tight tolerances over long production runs, and it's often ...

Description: It takes lots of motor torque to move heavy loads, which is one reason hydraulic orbital motors are widely used in material handling equipment. Fork trucks, cranes and heavy-duty or long-distance ...

Description: Sand casting is a cost-effective process for producing metal parts weighing from ounces to hundreds of pounds. Best results are achieved with lower melting point alloys like cast iron and bronze. The ...

Description: Mobile machinery used in construction and agriculture needs low speed and high torque rotary motion. For many such applications, the best way of achieving this is with hydraulic orbital motors. This ...

Description: Investment casting works well for complex parts with fine features. Being near-net shape, it minimizes secondary machining, which can lower costs and reduce lead time. It's not ideal for all metal ...

Description: Whether you're looking to boost quality, cut costs, or ensure timely deliveries, this article is a must-read to navigate the supplier selection process with confidence. Perfect for engineers and ...

Description: Each year, I pay a vicarious visit to CES, the mega consumer technology show held in Las Vegas each January. Here's some of the products I didn't see up close and personal: ...

Description: Dip molding and coating involve immersing an object into liquid silicone and either forming or coating a component. ...

Description: Hydraulic orbital motors are the answer for mobile and industrial applications that need high torque at low speed in a small space. In direct drive applications they save the weight and expense of a ...

Description: 2023 was an exciting time at Impro and we hope the same can be said about your business, too. As is true with any given year there were a lot of ups as well as downs... but we just wanted to take an ...

Description: In this post, I take a look at some trends that are closer to home, with my summary of (and take on) a piece by TI's Sameer Wasson "3 trends impacting the future of embedded processing technology." ...

Description: A lot of attention is centered on generative AI. I ended by saying "Let me go out on a limb with a forecast for 2024: AI will be on everyone's 2024 trends lists and, come next December, on everyone's ...

Description: This time around, I'll see what else they had to say about the technology trends that they see being the most impactful to the convergence of the physical and digital worlds and, hence, to the ...

Description: In Accenture's view, we've got a "step change" coming, in which our physical and digital lives will "seamlessly converge." They see several technology trends that are pushing us towards this ...

Description: What other technology is being used in schools. ...

Description: I thought I'd do some car talk here, with a roundup of a few recent articles I've read on the Big Three automotive tech categories: autonomous vehicles; connected cars; and EV's. So here goes. ...

Description: Our customer, an automotive supplier, had a new project for a door seal for which they identified a 4mm diameter, round butyl as a fit for the application. However, the product was only available in ...

Description: In the intricate dance of semiconductor manufacturing, end effectors emerge as the unsung heroes. These dexterous devices, attached to robotic arms, bear the responsibility of handling delicate ...

Description: RPWORLD, a leading manufacturer in mechanical parts manufacturing, is excited to announce the acquisition of a new Tracking 3D Laser Scanning Machine. This new addition highlights our commitment to ...

Description: RPWORLD is proud to announce a significant achievement in our quality assurance journey-obtaining the ISO 13485 certification. This prestigious certification marks a major advancement of RPWORLD ...

Description: Although my kids are no longer kids, one of my favorite posts of the year is the one where I take a look at the year's best tech toys. For this post, I'm drawing on ZDNET's 2023 roundup ...

Description: It's time to do a bit of shopping for yourself - or for another grownup who'd like to find a tech gadget in their stocking. ...

Description: I'll ring this year in with a summary of a few articles I saw that recapped 2023. It will be no surprise to anyone that AI is high on everyone's 2023 list. ...

Description: Us city-slickers - and suburb-slickers - likely don't spend a lot of time thinking about new technology as it applies to agriculture. Yet few industries are more pervasive, or more critical to our ...

Description: There's been no escaping the news about the drastic heat being experienced throughout the Southwest and the South this summer. And if you live in those regions, there's been no escaping heat that's ...

Description: With the vacation season at its peak, it's time to take a look at the technology that's becoming more and more prevalent in the travel and hospitality industry. These days, it seems quaint to see ...

Description: Swiss screw machining is valued for its ability to produce complex parts while driving down individual piece costs. This blog explores how material selection contributes to that goal, while helping ...

Description: If you've ever used a scissor lift AWP you'll know the importance of smooth and precise motion. Our hydraulic orbital motors provide the high torque, low speed and smooth, reliable movement needed. ...

Description: Rapid electronic prototyping tools are software and hardware platforms that enable engineers, designers, and hobbyists to quickly create and test electronic prototypes of their ideas. These tools ...

Description: RPWORLD, one of the leading mechanical parts manufacturers in on-demand manufacturing, is proud to celebrate its 20th anniversary in 2023. ...

Description: According to a recent research report, the global automotive lightweight materials market is expected to grow 7.3% CAGR from 2023 to 2029. It is expected to reach above $1331.41 Billion by 2029 from ...

Description: Is Vacuum Casting process about to become obsolete? With the rising popularity of 3D printing, which offers rapid and flexible manufacturing capabilities, particularly for prototyping and customized ...

Description: In the fast-paced world of product development, embracing the standardization of parts is a game-changer. David Anderson's advice to "Never design parts that you are unable to find in the product ...

Description: Mass air flow measurement provides a functional test of precision machined parts like those used in gas turbine engines. It's important for minimizing temperature variations and vibration, preventing ...

Description: Are you looking to cut costs for your injection molding parts without compromising on quality and functionality? Here are 6 injection molding design considerations to save you money. 1. Reduce ...

Description: RPWORLD, one of the leading mechanical parts manufacturers for prototyping and on-demand production, is proud to announce its recent achievement-the attainment of ISO 14001 certification. ...

Description: What does it take to machine and fabricate parts used in aerospace? The short answer is, a deep understanding of product requirements and a high level of manufacturing mastery. Our eBook, "A Complete ...

Description: The list of processes for making exhaust manifolds includes several casting technologies. Selecting the optimal one entails considering quantities required, the physical size of the manifold, ...

Description: How can you reduce lead times on sand cast samples and prototypes? Impro knows, and our eBook, "Addressing Cost, Lead Time and Complexity with 3D Printing in Sand Casting", has the details. Request ...

Description: Gas turbines are deployed on the ground and in the air. The two use cases are very different, yet the fundamentals remain the same: a continuous combustion process generates thrust and rotary motion. ...

Description: Switzerland is famous for high quality watches, and tiny, high-precision screws contribute to their success. Today, though, the machine tool technology developed to make these intricate parts is used ...

Description: Here're 6 efficient ways to cut the cost for your sheet metal parts, ranging from optimizing designs to adopting standardization. 1. Reduce the Outer Dimensions of Sheet Metal Parts 2. Choose the ...

Description: Unlock the full potential of your CNC projects with these six critical design tips! From ensuring part quality post-heat treatment to optimizing clamp setups and reducing tool run times, these ...

Description: If you allow the temperature of your board to fluctuate excessively, or rise to extremes, you can drastically reduce the lifespan of your design. This eBook will take a look at thermodynamic ...

Description: Our precision machining facility produces complex, high value-added, mission-critical components from bar stock for customers in transportation, agricultural and construction equipment, industrial ...

Description: Nozzle assembly components don't last long in the challenging environment inside a gas turbine engine. Thermal cycling causes fatigue, high temperatures cause creep, and corrosive gasses erode ...

Description: Product design is the core of the entire industry chain, producing the maximum added value. While the product manufacturing is at the bottom of the industry chain, it generates the minimal added ...

Description: A car grille can enhance the appeal as the ornamental structure, it is also a key component for a cooling system and even protective purpose. Let's have a look at the evolution of grille and its ...

Description: Agricultural, construction and landscaping machinery use hydraulic orbital motors because they're rugged and durable. When sized correctly for the application and maintained correctly, they will ...

Description: Do you understand the role heat treatment plays in precision machining? Are you aware of the ways in which it can save you money while improving product performance and durability? If not, our eBook, ...

Description: The following article is the differences of Injection Molding, CNC Machining, and Urethane Casting in detail, including processes themselves, manufacturing lead times, relationships of part quantities ...

Description: Stainless steel is produced in a large number of grades that have austenitic, ferritic or martensitic structures. 17-4 is a martensitic grade that can be precipitation hardened, (leading to the 17-4 ...

Description: In a gas turbine engine the nozzle assembly comes just after the combustion chamber. It directs fast moving gasses onto the turbine blades that generate the rotary motion needed for power generation. ...

Description: Not many alloys can survive in the environment downstream of the combustion chamber in a gas turbine engine. It's too hot, forces are high, the gases are extremely corrosive and they're flowing ...

Description: Like welding, brazing is a method of permanently joining separate metal pieces. Where brazing differs though is that there's no melting of the pieces being joined. This makes it the preferred process ...

Description: Plastic extrusion is a common method of producing parts for many different industries and applications. From a basic approach, any part with a constant cross-sectional view is a potential candidate ...

Description: Custom die-cut adhesives play an essential part in the functionality of today's wearable Continuous Glucose Monitoring (CGM) patches. They are used to adhere the device to the skin, to bond one layer ...

Description: We've written recently about the pros and cons of synthetic rubber, acrylic and silicone pressure sensitive adhesives in die-cut pulse oximetry applications. We've also talked about key pulse ox ...

Description: Unlock the world of non-destructive testing's future with Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) - where high-resolution, non-contact 3D imaging revolutionizes industries. ...

Description: Plastic co-extrusion is a process in which two or more materials are extruded through a single die to form a single product. This technique is commonly used in industries such as building and ...

Description: The co-extrusion process is used to produce a part with 2 or more materials into a single plastic profile. Co-extrusion is a versatile processing technology that allows you to create custom profiles ...

Description: Keeping in mind of the characteristics of medical materials can help you determine the optimal materials correctly and rapidly. Here the common medical materials and their properties and applications, ...

Description: End forming stainless steel tubing involves shaping or modifying the ends of the tubing to achieve specific functionalities and connections. ...

Description: Unlike the traditional production, the on-demand and customized high-mix, low-volume manufacturing services of RPWORLD allows for the design flexibility that mass manufacturing cannot offer. Moreover, ...

Description: Machining isn't the last step in producing precision metal parts; they need appropriate surface treatments too. The right finishing process can extend product life, improve functionality or make them ...

Description: Wall thickness refers to the distance between opposite sides or surfaces of a solid metal cast region. In a part like a cover the wall thickness is the distance between inner and outer surfaces. Thin ...

Description: The heat of welding distorts workpiece materials and alters their properties. Electron beam welding (EBW) minimizes these adverse impacts and provides a way of joining otherwise unwieldable materials ...

Description: The heart of the axial flow turbine engine is the combustion chamber. This is where fuel and air are mixed and ignited, with air velocity determining how far through the chamber the flame front ...

Description: Stainless steel is preferred for many aircraft engine, structural, fuel and hydraulic system applications. Providing a combination of strength and corrosion-resistance, it supports weight reduction ...

Description: Gas turbine nozzle components are some of the most highly engineered parts manufactured anywhere. They need to survive high temperatures, corrosive atmospheres, vibration and centrifugal forces, and ...

Description: Plastic extrusion is a very cost competitive method of producing parts that have a constant cross-sectional shape. However, it is often desired to fabricate the parts so that they can be used as a ...

Description: One of the common defects on plastic injection molded parts is sink mark, which appears as a dimple or shallow depression on the surface of a molded part and impacts the part quality and visual ...

Description: Hydraulic motors are a good choice in many applications, but a cursory search reveals there are several types to choose from. This blog will explain the advantages of orbital motors over the other ...

Description: Cranks, handles, levers, rods and shafts are just some of the industrial equipment parts cast in carbon steel. Casting helps avoid machining, and investment casting achieves this better than sand ...

Description: If you're exploring manufacturing processes for machined parts, 5-axis milling may open up design options you haven't considered. Download our ebook, "How 5-Axis Milling Changes the Machining ...

Description: For high torque in mobile and industrial applications, it’s hard to beat a hydraulic orbital motor. These are compact enough to use as wheel motors in mobile equipment like skid steers, and for ...