Prototyping
3D Printing vs CNC Machining for Prototypes: How to Choose
Compare 3D printing and CNC machining for prototypes by quantity, material, tolerance, geometry and iteration speed, with a stage-by-stage decision flow and enclosure examples.
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All Articles
Comprehensive guides on physical product engineering, rapid prototyping workflows, and manufacturing readiness.
DFM and Hardware
ALPLA Mono-Material Foam Pump: A Product-Design and DFM Reading
What ALPLA announced about its metal-free polypropylene foam pump, what a product designer can learn from it, and which claims still need checking before anyone relies on them.
Product Design
Aptar Beauty L'Occitane Pump: A Product-Design and DFM Reading
What Aptar announced about its custom pump for L'Occitane's refillable hand care range, what changed on the Satine platform, and what a designer can and cannot learn from it.
DFM and Hardware
Aptar Novus Advance Pump: A Product-Design and DFM Reading
What Aptar announced about the Novus Advance full-polyolefin cosmetic pump, which claims carry conditions, what a designer can learn from it and what is still unconfirmed.
Product Design
Industrial Design Portfolio: Layout, Cover Page and Template
How to build an industrial design portfolio: what each project page needs, layout and cover page, school vs internship versions, official upload rules and a copyable page template.
DFM and Hardware
Injection Molding Design Guidelines: Wall Thickness, Ribs and Draft
Injection molding design rules with sourced values: wall thickness by plastic, rib and boss proportions, draft angles, corner radii, a molder's tolerance and a pre-drawing checklist.
Prototyping
Rapid Prototyping with 3D Printing: Process, Methods and Tools
How to run a rapid prototyping loop with 3D printing: the five steps, how FDM, SLA and SLS compare for prototypes, which fidelity each stage needs, and what drives cost.