Category: BLOG


  • How can AR, VR, and MR help your design team create better products?

    The process of designing and manufacturing products is no longer confined to the real world. Technological advances in computing and visualization devices mean that it is now possible to use virtual reality (VR), augmented reality (AR) and mixed reality (MR) to help design teams create products that would have been inconceivable not so long ago.…


  • What does the future of Computer Aided Manufacturing (CAM) look like?

    Computer-aided manufacturing (CAM) is used to design and manufacture products. It can enhance repetitive processes such as drilling holes or cutting layers. The manufacturing process automatically converts design drawings into machine-friendly codes. This allows the machine to read the design and then manufacture the product according to the design specifications. How does it work and…


  • Industrial Manufacturing vs Artisan Manufacturing

    Though it may not always feel like it, the world of manufacturing is always changing and adapting. Whether it’s logistics and sourcing or methodologies and time to market, there’s always a need to evaluate where your manufacturing and production are going. Industrial Manufacturing More traditional manufacturing is often reliant on the low-cost/high-quantity model. Whether your…


  • The Mechanical Engineer’s Guide to 5-Axis Machining

    What started as a high-end machining technique focused on machining complex shapes has now transitioned to a nearly industry standard technology to optimize the CNC Milling industry. 5-axis machining has veritably reinvented how we think about milling parts. Machining with 5-axis machines allows us to cut costs on machining time, achieve higher precision on complex…


  • The Real Skills Gap – Designing for Manufacturability

    In the past, the world of design was relegated to engineers sitting at drafting desks as they contemplated the calculus of parts and the physics of their components in the wild. Typically, designers would mock up their drawings and then pass the design to a machinist or toolmaker to develop parts for prototyping or production.…


  • The Definitive Guide to Designing for Additive Manufacturing

    An Engineer’s guide to understanding and implementing additive manufacturing in the production process…  Introduction Image Source: Marines Additive manufacturing (AM) is a term used to described the set of manufacturing processes that progressively add layers of material to manufacture your products, and it could change the way you go about engineering your products. Instead of…


  • What to consider when selecting CAM software

    Although there are dozens of CAM systems available, choosing one is not as difficult as many believe. It comes down to choosing the best one for your application. This paper is meant to help give you the tools to help pick the best one for you. Consider the packaging CAM software is available in three…


  • Surface Finishes When Machining – Vital Details to Making Better Molds

    One of the most important things to consider when you’re looking to create a mold is surface finish. No matter what material or method is being used to create your mold, whether you’re machining or using an EDM system or another form of mold making, the surface finish of your mold will always affect the…


  • Replacing EDM Manufacturing with CNC Milling for Efficiency

    Many different manufacturing processes are used to actually manufacture tooling for mold making. Most mold making involves CNC machining, or subtractive processing of the material. Other operations besides milling are used, including 3D printing and EDM operations. Moldmakers today are under pressure to create their mold tooling faster than ever before. Although EDM manufacturing is…


  • Selecting a 5 Axis Mill for Moldmaking

    Traditionally, 5-axis mills were built and marketed for the domain of aerospace and power generation manufacturers. However, the adoption of 5-axis machining centers has increased for moldmakers in recent years. It is the purpose of this article to provide some information if shopping for a 5-axis mill for moldmaking. Advantages There are many advantages to…


  • 5 Axis CNC Machines for Aerospace – The Definitive Guide

    Dealing with five axes when machining isn’t a simple process in any industry, but it gets especially interesting in the realm of aerospace. When we’re talking about subtractive manufacturing in general, you have to consider everything from your material and holding that work to your tooling and the toolpaths to get to your finished part.…


  • A closer look at vertical and horizontal milling machines

    For machine shop operators considering milling machines, one of the most basic questions they have to answer relates to configuration: vertical or horizontal mill? The answer depends on the nature of the business—in particular the type and volume of work being done in the shop—but also cost, capabilities of the workforce, and the facility itself. All…


  • Machining Hard Material

    In the constantly evolving world of manufacturing, mold and die shops must continually improve productivity without sacrificing part quality. As you strive to stay competitive, you may need to work smarter and harder… With harder materials, that is. Many molds and dies require these hard materials to operate optimally. For example, H13 steel is capable of…


  • What Fully Integrated CAD and CAM has Done to the Engineering Realm

    Computer-aided design changed the engineering realm just a few decades ago. The latest change to the tools available to engineers is the full integration of computer-aided manufacturing (CAM) into CAD programs. Let’s take a look at the biggest benefits that a CAD/CAM integrated workspace brings us as engineers. One thing that CAD did when it first was implemented…


  • The Top 5 Challenges in Mold & Die

    A look at how one mold manufacturer has embraced new manufacturing technology, unlocked the full potential of its workforce and become the dominant supplier in its field. Article by Clinton Perry, PowerMill Product Marketing Manager Today’s mold manufacturers are under pressure. Yep, it’s a shock revelation, right? Your end customers demand, even expect, to see…