Purchasing Guides

2020 brought changes to the manufacturing industry that few, if any, foresaw; a global pandemic, a trade war, a pressing need for employees to work from home. Barring any ability to foresee the future, what can we assume about the changes 2021 will bring? In this article, we’ll look at ten ways the manufacturing industry… Read more »

Machine tools, like most equipment in the modern age, have both improved and gotten a bit smaller over the years. Modern lathes and mills have come a long way from the giant, room-sized machines of the Industrial Revolution. While you can still find room-sized machines in large factories and high-end production facilities, you’re also more… Read more »

Everyone wants to combine their hobby with their business, do what they love, and get paid for it. That is much easier said than done, however, especially when it comes to the competitive world of CNC machining. So if you’re asking yourself if you should buy a CNC machine to make some money, perhaps you… Read more »

The CNC has transitioned from a piece of commercial equipment to a DIY power tool capable of almost anything. As the cost of the average CNC machine continues to decline there are more and more hobbyists bringing them home. And as more creative thinkers invest in CNC machines we see more and more unique products… Read more »

A small CNC machine, also referred to as a mini CNC machine, is one of those life-changing additions to your setup that becomes worthwhile right away. Whether it is creating something from scratch or using a template, there are so many possibilities as soon as the machine is in your possession. However, what are some… Read more »

Neatly-designed chairs, intricate patterns on tables, unique carvings on beds, spiral staircases spanning 3 stories, bookcases with the Swedish aesthetic – all these look visually perfect, but have you ever wondered just how manufacturers design and build such beautiful masterpieces? How do they concept designs that make customers fall in love at first sight? The… Read more »

In the modern metal fabrication industry, milling is a popular process that offers skilled tradespeople a way of shaping and cutting materials expertly. It’s used to produce some of the most common and vital products we use every day. In this article, we’ll look at horizontal milling machines and vertical milling machines, comparing the two… Read more »

Apple is known for its pared-down design aesthetic, and the new Apple Card is no exception. The recently-launched credit card is a simple, white-coated piece of titanium, laser etched with a glimmering Apple logo and the customer’s name. It’s a perfect example of the brand’s signature minimalist industrial design. However, some users see the card… Read more »

Thanks to their ability automate machining processes and make them highly repeatable, CNC mills have helped to significantly reduce manufacturing costs in a wide variety of industries. That said, there are additional steps machine shops can take to reduce their CNC machining costs even further. Today we’ll consider a few tips to help companies cut… Read more »

So, you’ve reviewed the drawing with the engineers and designers. You’ve verified the dimensions and double and triple-checked the features. You’ve asked the team if they have any flexibility. You’ve explored every option, but alas that +/-0.0005 tolerance (or tighter sometimes) is correct. Now, you have to make the part. Here are some tips for… Read more »