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3D printing builds parts layer by layer, ideal for complex designs and quick prototypes. CNC machining cuts material away, creating durable, high-precision parts. Your choice depends on material, budget, and project goals.
Most metals, plastics, wood, and paper-based products can be laser cut. However, some materials like PVC, polycarbonate, or reflective metals should be avoided. These can damage the machine or release harmful gases. Choosing the right material depends on your part’s function, thickness, and edge quality needs.
CNC laser cutting is a process that uses a focused laser beam to cut materials. The term “CNC” stands for computer numerical control. That means the cutting path is controlled by software.
The laser moves based on instructions from a digital design file. It cuts through the material with heat. This process is clean, quick, and ideal for complex shapes or fine details.
SLA gives you higher detail, smoother finishes, and is best for small, precise parts. FDM is cheaper, faster, and better for simple or larger designs. Your ideal choice depends on your part’s use, required detail, and budget. If accuracy and finish matter most, go with SLA. If strength, size, or cost matters more, FDM usually wins.
Titanium Nitride (TiN) is a ceramic coating. It has a metallic gold color and is applied to metal surfaces using a vacuum. The coating is skinny—just a few microns—but tough.
TiN forms a strong outer layer that resists wear, heat, and corrosion. It sticks well to metals like steel, titanium, and carbide. This makes it useful for cutting tools, molds, and medical devices.
Fiber laser cutting is a process that uses a high-powered laser beam to cut through metal. The beam comes from a fiber optic cable, which delivers focused light to a small point on the surface. That light heats the material until it melts or vaporizes. A gas, like nitrogen or oxygen, blows the melted material away. This leaves a clean and narrow cut behind.
3+2 machining, or positional 5-axis machining, means the part is rotated into a set position using two rotational axes. Once fixed, the tool performs the cutting using three-axis motion. The rotary axes don’t move during the actual cutting. They only move before cutting starts to position the part.
CO2 laser cutting uses a carbon dioxide gas laser to cut through materials. The laser beam is focused through a lens, creating intense heat at the focal point. That heat melts or vaporizes the material in a narrow path. A stream of gas blows away the molten or burnt material.
310 stainless steel is an austenitic stainless steel. It belongs to the 300 series, known for its corrosion resistance and good strength. Among them, 310 offers better high-temperature strength than types 304 or 316.
This alloy is designed to work in heat-intensive applications. It stays stable and resists scaling even when exposed to temperatures above 1000°F. That makes it a reliable choice for heat exchangers, furnaces, and thermal processing equipment.
Tolerance is the range of acceptable variation in a part’s dimension. Allowance is a planned difference between two mating parts. Tolerance controls what’s allowed. Allowance sets the gap or fit between parts. Knowing both helps teams decide how loose or tight a part should be. This ensures smooth function, good assembly, and minimal waste.
CNC acrylic machining is a subtractive process. Using high-speed rotating tools, a CNC machine removes material from a solid acrylic sheet. The machine follows a digital design file to accurately cut, drill, or mill the acrylic.
This method creates smooth edges, clean holes, and complex shapes. It works well for both prototypes and finished products. Acrylic is strong, lightweight, and has excellent optical clarity, making it a popular choice.
Material hardness is the ability of a material to resist surface deformation, including scratching, denting, and indentation. A more rigid material usually wears down slower than a softer one.
Hardness is not the same as strength or toughness. A part can be strong but still scratch easily. Hardness focuses on surface resistance, not how much force a part can carry before breaking.
CMM inspection uses a Coordinate Measuring Machine (CMM) to measure a part’s physical dimensions. This tool helps manufacturers check essential details like size, shape, and surface features. It ensures that each part matches its design specifications.
A NEMA rating is a classification system that indicates the level of protection an electrical enclosure provides against specific environmental conditions. These conditions may include exposure to water, dust, ice, or other factors that could harm electrical components. The ratings help manufacturers and designers select the appropriate enclosure for their equipment based on where it will be used.
Feed rate refers to how quickly the tool advances along the workpiece. It’s usually measured in millimeters per minute (mm/min) or inches per minute (IPM). Cutting speed, on the other hand, describes how fast the cutting tool moves relative to the surface of the workpiece. It’s measured in surface feet per minute (SFM) or meters per minute (m/min). While both impact the overall efficiency of the process, they influence different aspects of the machining operation.
Anodizing aluminum is an electrochemical process that increases the natural oxide layer on the surface of aluminum. The aluminum is immersed in an acid electrolyte solution during anodizing, and an electric current is passed through it. This causes the aluminum to react with the solution, forming an oxide layer much thicker than the natural oxide.
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