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Cutting, bending, welding and assembly processes.
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Design and manufacturing of metal enclosures.
Metals, alloys and material selection guides.
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Design for manufacturability tips and guidelines.
Real-world applications across different industries.
In-depth guides to help you make better design and manufacturing decisions.
Powder coating thickness is the depth of the coating applied to a surface. It is measured from the top of the coating to the part’s surface underneath. The ideal powder coating thickness ranges from 2 to 5 mils (50-125 microns). This ensures strong protection, a smooth look, and no performance issues.
316L stainless steel is a low-carbon, molybdenum-bearing austenitic alloy designed for superior corrosion resistance and excellent weldability. The molybdenum protects against chlorides and pitting, while the maximum 0.03% carbon content prevents sensitization during welding, making it the standard choice for marine, pharmaceutical, and food processing applications.
Alodine and Anodize are two popular treatments for aluminum surfaces. Both improve corrosion resistance but use different methods. Anodizing is an electrochemical process that builds a thick, rigid, and non-conductive oxide layer on the metal. Alodine is a chemical process that forms a thinner, conductive layer. It offers good protection but keeps the metal’s electrical conductivity.
Hard turning is precision turning that shapes metals with high hardness, typically above 45 HRC. The process uses a single-point cutting tool made of CBN (cubic boron nitride), ceramic, or carbide. The goal is to produce a smooth surface and meet tight tolerances in a single operation. It’s most often used on steel parts after heat treatment, eliminating the need for secondary grinding.
Linishing is a surface finishing method used to smooth and polish metal parts. It removes burrs, scratches, or weld marks using abrasive tools like belts or discs, making the surface cleaner and more even. It’s often done after cutting, welding, or shaping to prepare the part for painting, coating, or assembly.
Tin is not a magnetic metal. Standard tin does not react to magnets, and you cannot attract it with a magnet. Tin is known as a “diamagnetic” material, which means it creates a weak opposing force to a magnetic field.
201 stainless steel is part of the 200 series of austenitic stainless steels. It contains less nickel than 304 but adds more manganese and nitrogen to compensate. This change helps lower the cost while keeping much of the needed strength and ductility. The standard composition includes around 16–18% chromium, 3.5–5.5% manganese, 4–6% nickel, and small amounts of nitrogen and carbon.
5754 aluminum is an aluminum-magnesium alloy. It contains around 3% magnesium, which helps boost its strength and resistance to corrosion. This alloy is non-heat-treatable, so it gets stronger through cold working, not heating.
Graphite doesn’t have one fixed density. It changes depending on the type, purity, and production method. Understanding these differences helps you select the right graphite for your use.
Graphite density usually falls between 1.5 and 2.26 grams per cubic centimeter.
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