Molding processes are used to create objects with the assistance of a die. The material — which is typically heated or molten — is poured or otherwise injected into the cavity of a die. As the material fills the surrounding … Read More

When researching 3D printing processes, you’ll probably encounter slicing. There are many different forms of 3D printing, some of which use powder material to build objects, whereas others use liquid material to build objects. Regardless, nearly all of them require … Read More

When researching the different forms of 3D printing, you’ll probably come across selective laser sintering. A form of additive manufacturing, it uses a laser to “sinter” powder particles. In other words, the material used in laser sintering is fused together … Read More

To protect against rust and corrosion, workpieces are often coated in a protective material. Thermal spraying, for instance, is a group of processes that involves the application of heated or melted material onto the surface of a workpiece. Once covered … Read More

With origins dating back to the mid-1990s, binder jet is one of the oldest forms of 3D printing. It’s able to produce a variety of custom-shaped and custom-sized objects by “printing” them. From small toys to complex manufacturing components, binder … Read More

Modeling is an essential step in 3D printing. Before a 3D printer can build an object — a process that typically occurs layer by layer — a digital model of the respective object must be designed. Only after the model … Read More

Not to be confused with milling machines, lathes are a common machining tool used in the manufacturing industry. They can perform everything from cutting and sanding to facing, turning and more. Lathes are defined by the way in which they … Read More