The Upload

Making nylon parts stronger isn’t difficult. All it takes is the addition of glass to your base material. Explore the pros and cons of glass-filled nylon.

Choosing to use ABS, polycarbonate (PC), or combining them is a popular way to get strong machined, printed, or molded parts. There are a lot of similarities, but also some significant differences that might help you find just the right one for your parts.

A newly machined metal part can end up with edges that are sharper than desired for the end user unless the design smooths or breaks those sharp edges. To create an edge break, the design should incorporate sloped or beveled edges and corners known as chamfers—or rounded ones called fillets.

Perennial fan-favorite, DUCK!, is ready to take on foes large and small, this winter on The Discovery Channel’s popular program, BattleBots. Powered by Protolabs, the wily veteran of several seasons has some great new features in version 3.0.

Machined surface finishes are typically adequate for most parts, but sometimes the standard finish needs to be modified for aesthetic or functional purposes.

Consider these factors before choosing between a hard or soft metal for machining.

Digital manufacturing methods fit National Labs' low-volume, multi-iteration, on-demand needs.

Using a digital manufacturer with tech-enabled automation ensures machining reliability.

Explore recent innovations in additive manufacturing, including new materials, technologies, and the world’s tallest 3D printed structure.

Titanium Grade 5 6Al-4V’s strength and temperature, corrosion resistance make it an ideal material choice for aerospace and defense applications.

Speed to market is key in product design. Here we break down how digital manufacturing achieves this with tips on sourcing the right digital supplier.

Anodizing, chromate plating are great ways to protect machined or sheet metal parts from corrosion.