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The Digital Thread

Your blog feed for manufacturing resources, in-depth features, and industry news.

Past 'metal' posts

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Using 3D Printing to Create Replacement Parts

Unique products are amazing until parts break and you can’t obtain replacements. Enter 3D printing.
By Eric Utley
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cnc machining
CNC Machining
27/06/2023

CNC Machining for Slide Bearings

Slide bearings are a critical component in many engineering applications, they provide a smooth, low-friction surface that allows parts to move back and forth multiple times, with a long service life. This blog covers materials to consider for slide bearings.
By Protolabs
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DMLS-aero-auto-part
Material Science
01/12/2021

Titanium vs Aluminium: Workhorse Metals for Machining and 3D Printing

Light weight and strength help aluminium and titanium excel for 3D-printed and machined parts.
By Steve Konick
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Delrin part examples
Materials Science
28/01/2020

Delrin Material Properties Offer Strong, Versatile Plastic Alternative to Metal

Consider Delrin as an excellent plastic replacement for metal because of its strength, versatility.
By Protolabs
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Protolabs DMLS
Material Science
21/01/2019

Inconel 718: A superalloy with enduring relevance

Metal 3D printing has brought Inconel, the classic nickel-based heat resistant alloy, well and truly into the 21st century
By Matt Hatch
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Shortening the Development Cycle in the Aerospace Sector
Thought Leadership
16/01/2019

Shortening the Development Cycle in the Aerospace Sector

Safety is the overriding concern in aerospace and space technology - countless test cycles, inspection procedures and certificates are behind every single part of the jigsaw. Although safety requirements are non-negotiable, they come at a cost – they slow down the speed of the product development cycle.
By Stephen Dyson
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CNC Machining and 3D Printing – Friends or Foes
Thought Leadership
25/07/2018

CNC Machining and 3D Printing – Friends or Foes?

3D printing and CNC machining - do they compete with or complement each other?
By Damian Hennessey
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metal 3 D printed part
Tech Tips
11/07/2018

Metal 3D Printing Requires New Thought Process

As product development speeds up, the design rules are changing. Nowhere is this more apparent when looking at the industrial 3D printing process of direct metal laser sintering.
By Protolabs
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