From the body of an airplane to the casing of a smartphone, sheet metal is the starting point for an endless array of products that enrich our lives. This versatile material is supplied to manufacturers as rolls or sheets of raw metal before being transformed into valuable industrial products. 

Read on to find out more about the essential processes behind sheet metal forming, discover its benefits, and learn how to find an experienced fabricator for your next project.

What Is Sheet Metal Forming?

Sheet metal forming entails taking thin, flat sheets of metal and manipulating them into fully formed 3D structures. The process transforms a basic raw material into complex finished products using an array of manufacturing techniques. Conceptually, it works much like assembling a puzzle – the final 3D shape is achieved by forming many small pieces before fitting them together into one interlocking structure. 

In the past, sheet metal forming was an entirely manual practice requiring specialized labor. Workers would use hammers, presses, and dies to slowly shape the sheet metal into the desired form. Today, automation and robotics have revolutionized metal fabrication, enabling far more intricate sheet metal components to be mass-produced.

What is sheet metal fabrication?

Sheet metal fabrication is the process of transforming metal sheets into various shapes through cutting, bending, and assembling. It includes techniques like laser cutting, punching, stamping, and welding to create custom metal components and enclosures. Sheet metal fabrication and sheet metal forming are sometimes used interchangeably. However, while sheet metal forming specifically refers to the processes that shape flat sheet metal into 3D parts, sheet fabrication is a broader term that includes other processes like cutting and joining to create the final product.

How Does Sheet Metal Forming Work?

Sheet metal forming leverages the malleability of metals, enabling flat metal sheets to undergo controlled plastic deformation and be manipulated into 3D shapes without tearing or compromising the material’s integrity.

The key is to use enough targeted force to coax the sheet metal to take on a desired form through bending, pressing, stretching, and other mechanical processes. However, the strain cannot exceed the metal’s ultimate tensile strength, or it will become damaged.

To keep deformation in the safe plastic zone, skilled control of parameters like the magnitude of force, speed of application, temperature, and material orientation is required. Automated systems now replicate these complex calculations to shape metal uniformly without defects. However, small-batch custom metal forming often still relies on the skill and judgment of experienced technicians.

Sheet Metal Forming Processes

There are a variety of core manufacturing processes used to form sheet metal into parts. The techniques deployed depend on the geometries and production volumes needed, as well as the formability of the selected metal. Following design for manufacturing guidelines when modeling parts also ensures they can practically be formed. 

Let’s look at some of the most popular sheet metal forming options:

Bending

Bending works by inducing controlled plastic deformation in the metal to create angled forms. This is achieved by securing the sheet metal blank within a press brake and using a V-shaped punch tool to form the bend. The sheet metal is pressed between the descending punch, and a bottom die with a matching width and angle profile is cut into it. The depth that the punch tool presses down controls the resultant bend angle in the metal, up to a maximum of 180 degrees for an entirely flat form.

Laser Cutting

Laser cutting uses a high-powered laser beam focused through optics on a CNC machine. The heat from the laser locally melts and vaporizes the sheet metal to “cut” intricate patterns defined in CAD software. The process, known as sheet metal laser cutting, can develop complex geometries rapidly and accurately in metals like steel, aluminum, and titanium.

Hydroforming

Hydroforming uses highly pressurized fluid instead of traditional mechanical force to form sheet metal. The metal blank is placed between two die halves, and hydraulic fluid pressure is progressively applied. This is used to create seamless shapes like automotive space frames or aircraft wings.

Stamping

Stamping presses use rigid punch and die tooling to form sheet metal in very high production volumes. During the stroke of the press, the punch strikes and presses the metal into the shape defined by the female die cavity below it. Stamping can form deep, concave metal parts at rates of hundreds per minute, like housings, enclosures, and body panels.

Drawing

Drawing pulls sheet metal through a die opening using a mechanically actuated punch. As it passes through the metal plastically deforms to take the shape of the narrowing die geometry below it. This creates precisely formed seamless “cups” which can be further processed. Common drawn parts include ammunition casings, medical implants, and spacecraft nose cones.

What Materials Are Used in Sheet Metal Forming?

Several metals and metal alloys can be readily formed from sheet stock into finished parts. The material used depends on the properties needed in the application.

• Steel: Due to its strength and formability, steel makes up much of the globally formed sheet metal output. Everything from kitchen appliances to cars to buildings relies on steel fabrication.
• Stainless Steel: By adding chromium, stainless steel gains corrosion resistance for use in applications like industrial equipment, surgical instruments, and food preparation tools. 
• Brass: A zinc and copper alloy, brass can be shaped into decorative parts without fracturing. Its gold-like finish makes it popular for musical instruments, hardware, and marine components.
• Aluminum: This metal is used in applications that need light and corrosion-resistant materials. Examples are aerospace structures, automotive vehicles, and marine applications. 

What Are the Benefits of Sheet Metal Forming?

Unlike competing alternatives such as machining and casting, sheet fabrication allows the cost-effective, flexible, and rapid production of metal components. Here is a detailed explanation of the benefits:

Cost

The processes and equipment used in most sheet metal forming methods are relatively affordable. Techniques like bending and stamping employ simple dies and presses to deform sheet metal into shapes. This avoids the expensive multi-axis CNC machining or injection molding tools needed for other processes. The result is parts fabricated at high volumes with low per-unit costs.

Flexibility

A key benefit of sheet metal forming is flexibility in the geometries and applications possible. The same progressive stamping die used in an automotive plant can be repurposed and retooled to make entirely different parts. The adoption of 3D printing for shaping metal components is revolutionizing formability, offering new avenues for innovation. Due to its diverse fabrication options, sheet metal is used across industries, from aviation to appliances.

Rapid Production

Prototype parts or custom orders requiring fast turnaround times benefit from using sheet metal forming over slower techniques like casting or machining from billet. Most sheet metal parts can be formed with the single stroke of a press or strike by a hammer. At low to moderate volumes, this enables rapid production cycles to meet changing demands.

How Sheet Metal Forming Optimizes Manufacturing

Sheet metal forming integrates well with modern computer-controlled manufacturing workflows for increased speed, precision, and consistency. Digital tools empower efficient design-to-production for fabricated sheet metal components. CAD software provides detailed 3D models of parts for simulation and planning. Instructions are then automatically translated into executable code that drives CNC machine tools.

This combination of digital design and automated fabrication removes a considerable portion of the historic trial-and-error in metalworking. Every stroke of the press or pass of the laser cutter can be virtually tested before physical production, preventing wasted time or materials caused by faulty tool paths or forming errors. It also enables faster design iterations and change integration compared to manual processes.

Once optimized, automated sheet metal forming machinery can operate unattended 24/7. Robotic arms tirelessly load raw materials and form parts with absolute precision unmatched by humans. This drives high-volume production while maintaining consistent quality standards. Integrated sensors provide real-time feedback, automatically adjusting parameters like press speed and die lubrication in response to environmental changes.

Using MFG for Sheet Metal Forming Needs

As we’ve seen, sheet metal forming enables the creation of versatile, durable, and cost-effective metal components that are vital across every industry. However, transforming your innovative designs into physical products requires the help of an experienced fabricator equipped to meet your specific needs. But how do you start to look for the best-qualified, thoroughly vetted, and well-reviewed specialists? 

MFG makes connecting with the best sheet metal manufacturers for your project simple and seamless. With MFG you get exclusive access to the world’s largest network of elite custom fabricators specially vetted for quality and reliability. Save time by avoiding the hassle of sending RFQs to multiple manufacturers only to later realize they can’t handle your project or meet your standards. MFG pre-qualifies them for you, Ensuring a smoother and more efficient process. 

Get started now by submitting your project details for free. Within hours, you’ll receive precise quotes from MFG’s exclusive network of top-tier manufacturers specializing in sheet metal forming, putting you on the fast track to bringing your project to life.

Manufacturers transforming raw materials into finished products rely heavily on cutting processes. Over time, cutting techniques have advanced, introducing new methods that provide enhanced precision, efficiency, and flexibility.

Among these innovations, laser cutting of sheet metal has emerged as a revolutionary technology, garnering widespread adoption within the industry. This cutting-edge approach has empowered manufacturers to overcome the limitations associated with conventional sheet metal cutting methods.

Discover the intricacies of sheet metal laser cutting, the key advantages driving its popularity, and how to find a trusted laser cutting expert.

What Is Sheet Metal Laser Cutting?

In sheet metal laser cutting, a Computer Numerical Control (CNC) system directs a concentrated laser beam across the metal. This beam “subtracts” material by melting, burning, or vaporizing along the programmed path.

The focused, high-energy laser cleanly slices through the metal, while the CNC targeting allows for the creation of intricate shapes at a fast pace. To carry out this process, 2D designs are uploaded to the laser cutting machine. It then uses the vector image data to trace the parts on the sheet material. The result? Burr-free components with smooth edges and precise cuts, meeting tight tolerances with accuracy.

What Are the Types of Sheet Metal Laser Cutting?

There are three main types of laser technologies used to cut sheet metal. Each has its particular set of capabilities suited to different materials and applications. Here is a detailed breakdown:

1. CO2 Lasers

Carbon dioxide (CO2) lasers utilize a gas mixture medium to produce a laser beam that can be concentrated intensely enough to slice through thick, durable metal sheets. CO2 lasers generate a wavelength of light that is readily absorbed by most metals, allowing them to effectively cut through over 1 inch of carbon steel, stainless steel, aluminum, and more. With the capability to penetrate thicker and stronger metals, CO2 laser cutting provides a highly adaptable and rugged fabrication solution.

2. Fiber Lasers

Fiber laser cutters amplify light through an optical fiber core to create a potent yet precise beam. This allows for tight focus and small spot sizes, resulting in fast, smooth cutting action and superior edge quality. Fiber laser cutters are used on medium-gauge metals like brass and copper. They strike an optimal balance between cutting speed, precision, and operating costs.

3. Crystal Lasers

Crystal laser resonators emit light in selected bands perfect for lower power density cutting. The crystalline solid-state lasing medium enables stable continuous wave beam production.

What Are the Top 5 Benefits of Sheet Metal Laser Cutting?

Let’s take a look at how sheet metal laser cutting can transform the design for manufacturing process thanks to the following features:

1. High Versatility

Laser cutters provide exceptional versatility in materials and thicknesses. Fiber, CO2, and crystal lasers can collectively cut steel, aluminum, brass, copper, and more from thin gauges up to over an inch thickness. No other single process matches this cutting breadth.

2. Design Flexibility 

Since the focused laser beam can follow virtually any path, you gain immense creative freedom over part geometries. Laser cutting can quickly generate complex holes, curves, cutouts, and precision features that would otherwise require extensive machining setups.

3. Minimal Material Waste

The laser’s narrow cut width or kerf means little material is lost during cutting. Flame cutting and mechanical processes like punching or stamping produce wider kerfs and more waste. Greater sheet usage efficiency means lower materials costs.

4. High Precision 

Laser cutting provides exceptionally repeatable precision, even for intricate shapes. The CNC targeting allows accuracy down to thousandths of an inch to meet your tightest tolerances. No tool wear issues exist unlike with mechanical cutting.

5. Automation & Integration Capabilities

Laser cutters directly interface with CAD software and readily integrate with automated production and 3D printing processes. This enables consistent lights-out manufacturing and further quality gains, substantially improving overall efficiency.

What Are the Challenges of Sheet Metal Laser Cutting?

While laser cutting delivers immense fabrication benefits, there are some inherent challenges to consider when learning how to cut sheet metal with lasers. These include material thickness limitations, cost of maintenance, and environmental considerations. 

Here is a detailed breakdown of the challenges:

1. Material Thickness Limitations

Laser cutting does face physical limits in the thickness it can penetrate for metals like steel and aluminum. Thicker materials require higher-powered lasers, slower cut speeds, and multiple passes, and also incur risk from heat buildup. Going beyond 2.75-inch thickness typically requires exploring alternative cutting methods.

2. Cost of Maintenance

Industrial laser cutters require a high initial outlay to acquire. Specialized personnel are also needed to operate and perform preventative maintenance. Consumable costs like replacement lenses and laser gas refills also add up over years of use.

3. Environmental Considerations

The high energy density of laser cutting generates noxious fumes, metal particulates, and gases during use. If not adequately controlled, these pose risks to human health and the environment. Proper fume extraction systems, along with gas, water, and particulate filters are essential to mitigate the hazards. 

What Is the Sheet Metal Laser Cutting Process?

There are three main laser-cutting techniques: Fusion, sublimation, and flame. 

Let’s look at how each method works:

1. Laser Beam Fusion Cutting

Fusion cutting uses the laser’s intense heat to melt the sheet metal locally into a molten pool along the beam path. High-pressure assist gas, commonly oxygen or nitrogen, then blows the molten metal out of the cut to achieve total separation while shielding the lenses. Fusion cutting is widely used for mild and stainless steel sheets.

2. Laser Beam Sublimation Cutting

Sublimation cutting avoids melting and relies on the laser’s energy to turn sheet metal directly from a solid into a gas. A pressurized assist gas jet blows away the vaporized material, offering a clean, narrow cut within the heat-affected zone.

3. Laser Beam Flame Cutting

This method involves combining a laser beam with oxygen. The laser preheats a path to kindle burning while the oxygen stream fans the flames. This method is faster than fusion or sublimation cutting but can leave rough edges on thicker metals.

What Industries Use Sheet Metal Laser Cutting?

The following industries use sheet metal laser cutting processes to fabricate high-precision metal parts and products:

1. Automotive

Automakers and parts suppliers use laser-cut sheet metal to manufacture lighter, stronger brackets, braces, enclosures, panels, exhaust components, and other vehicular structures from steel and aluminum. Precision cutting minimizes waste while allowing more complex part designs.

2. Aerospace

The aerospace sector employs laser cutting to produce robust and lightweight aircraft skin panels, engine housings, bulkheads, wings, turbines, and other structures from titanium, Inconel, stainless steel, and aluminum alloys. 

3. Electronics

Electronics manufacturers use the precision of laser cutting to produce integrated outer structures, shields, mounting racks, internal frames, and heat sinks for electronic devices and computing hardware.

4. Medical

Medical device producers use sheet metal laser cutting technology to reliably create bone plates, replacement joints, and other healthcare equipment from biocompatible metals that need to meet high-quality standards.

How MFG Provides Access to Specialized Sheet Metal Laser Cutting

Sheet metal laser cutting techniques offer some unmatched advantages to manufacturers. However, as we have covered, adopting sheet metal laser cutting in-house requires significant capital investments in equipment, facilities, personnel, and more. 

Luckily, you can turn to MFG’s manufacturing platform to find a skilled manufacturer rather than directly taking on these costs and complexities.

MFG offers instant access to a global network of pre-vetted manufacturers. Simply submit an RFQ detailing your design requirements, and MFG’s proprietary matching algorithms will instantly connect you with qualified partners.

Submit your request for a quote today to find a manufacturer offering cost-competitive quotes for sheet metal laser cutting.

Demand for customized and personalized products is higher than ever in many industries. Yet the century-old mass production model struggles to satisfy this growing appetite for tailored goods, leaving manufacturers unable to meet the needs of discerning customers. 

The solution is a collaborative process that allows manufacturers to work hand-in-hand with customers to build products to their specific requirements. 

Read on to discover what custom manufacturing is, learn how to shift production to a more flexible model, and find out how you can successfully meet your customers’ evolving expectations.

What is Custom Manufacturing?

Custom manufacturing is the process of designing and manufacturing products tailored to meet your unique specifications. In contrast to mass production, this method requires a highly personalized, hands-on approach and involves close collaboration between the customer and the manufacturer. Orders can range from one-off prototypes to large-scale production.

Custom manufacturing is often used to produce specialized products such as aerospace parts, medical devices, and military equipment. Due to its highly skilled nature, most custom manufacturers focus on catering to niche product categories or providing particular manufacturing processes.

Custom Manufacturing vs Mass Production

The limitless customization options of custom manufacturing contrast sharply with the highly standardized processes of mass production. 

Custom manufacturing can guarantee much higher-quality products than mass production can achieve as product features and quality assurance checkpoints are tailored to your needs and priorities rather than pre-set specifications. Your production capacity may be lower than with mass manufacturing, but the tradeoff allows you to avoid carrying excess inventory. 

Additionally, as you’re working closely with the engineers, design changes are more straightforward compared to reconfiguring entire assembly lines. However, the hands-on approach of custom fabrication can involve higher labor costs per unit. You won’t achieve the same economies of scale possible with mass production runs, but the profit opportunity in serving customer niches often outweighs raw efficiency.

How Does Custom Manufacturing Work?

The custom manufacturing process is iterative and involves extensive collaboration to translate your into a tangible product. The process can be broken down into the following key stages:

Design

The first step in custom manufacturing is design. Your company, or a design partner, will need to create CAD models according to your exact needs and specifications. The complexity of your product will determine the timeline and can range from hours for simple items to months for more intricate projects. 

It is helpful to follow Design for Manufacturing principles to ensure that the final product is high quality and matches your vision.

Request for Quote

After your designs are ready, submit a Request For Quote (RFQ) on an online manufacturing marketplace. This RFQ should include all the information potential manufacturers might require to provide an accurate quote such as:

• 2D Drawings
• 3D Model Files
• Material Specifications
• Part Quantities
• Tolerances

The RFQ should also specify the manufacturing techniques that will be used such as injection molding or CNC machining.

Initial Meeting

The marketplace then connects you with qualified manufacturing partners to arrange a meeting to discuss your vision in more detail, whether via email, video call, or in person. You can assess your candidate to determine if it will be a positive supplier relationship. 

Prototyping 

Next, a physical prototype is constructed to allow you to evaluate the design. Prototyping is crucial for the early identification and rectification of any problems.

Production

Once the prototype meets with your approval, the process shifts to the production phase which could involve a range of techniques including injection molding, 3D printing, metal fabrication, or CNC machining. Multiple production test runs may be necessary to ensure the product meets your quality standards.

Testing and Quality Control

Compared to mass manufacturing, you can be more hands-on in the testing and quality control phases. To ensure your satisfaction, you can work closely with the manufacturers throughout material checks, capacity tests, certifications, and other touchpoints.

Scaling Up Production

Finally, once signed off, your custom production line can scale efficiently to handle larger batch orders. At this point, you can even leverage standardized mass production methods to balance customization with cost-efficiency.

DESHAZO struggled to meet its extreme quality requirements within delivery timelines when it relied solely on its internal manufacturing capacity. Using the MFG manufacturing marketplace, DESHAZO easily found suppliers capable of quick-turn, precision machining tailored to their specifications. The robotics company speedily increased production capacity without capital investment, letting it scale rapidly.

What Are the Top 4 Benefits of Custom Manufacturing?

Adopting a custom manufacturing model offers many crucial advantages compared to traditional mass production. Here are the most significant gains you can make by leveraging this approach:

1. Lowers Costs

Custom manufacturing allows products to be made to suit specific budgets compared to the limited options of mass production pricing. No minimum orders are required, risk is reduced, and overall costs can be lower than mass production while generating less material waste.

2. Speeds up Production

With fewer production steps, custom manufacturing eliminates wait times for standardized components. This facilitates quicker access to production and reduced lead times to market.

3. Offers Flexibility and Unique Specifications

By removing the limitations of mass production, custom manufacturing permits enhanced personalization and construction according to your exact specifications.

4. Improves Quality Control

Working directly with engineers allows higher scrutiny during the build process. This enables immediate identification and rectification of defects – which is beneficial for companies producing high-quality niche products.

The US Army turned to the MFG Marketplace when it needed to find manufacturers with the capacity to quickly produce machined aluminum housings. Its RFQ was answered with multiple quotes from skilled shops that delivered quick turnaround on these customized parts of the required quality and cost. 

What Are the Different Types of Custom Manufacturing Options?

When discussing custom production techniques, it’s important to note that they mainly fall into subtractive and additive manufacturing categories:

Subtractive Manufacturing

Subtractive techniques start with a solid block of material. Portions are removed by cutting or shaping until the desired object is created. Unlike other processes, subtractive techniques offer quicker, less labor-intensive production and smoothly surfaced parts without additional grinding or polishing. Subtractive manufacturing can also tackle complex geometries that other methods can’t. 

Common subtractive approaches include:

• CNC Machining
• Plasma Cutting
• Water Jet Cutting

Additive Manufacturing

This builds objects layer-by-layer straight from 3D CAD models. This facilitates the refinement and customization of designs without requiring expensive molds. Additive systems can also produce multiple unique products using the same core equipment. Standard additive fabrication technologies include:

• 3D Printing
• Multi-Jet Fusion
• Stereolithography

Choose MFG to Source the Best Custom Manufacturer for Your Product

Custom manufacturing is your best option when you need specialized, high-quality, or unique products made to order. It’s a flexible process that promises improved cost efficiency, personalized design and quality control, and superior agility over mass production. 

Seeing this promise realized hinges on connecting with the right manufacturing partner. MFG provides an interactive hub to streamline your search thanks to:

Simplified Supplier Discovery 

MFG’s online marketplace directly connects over 26,000 manufacturers and 75,000 buyers worldwide.

Efficient Collaboration 

Global manufacturer listings mean expanded options, while direct order management enables smooth communication. Buyers average 4+ quotes from US fabricators.

Enhanced Features 

Advanced search filters, quick RFQ posting, peer reviews, SEO profiles, and intelligent RFQ routing matching projects to optimal partners.

Learn more about how you can leverage the MFG platform to achieve transformative business results via strategic custom manufacturing relationships. 

Fortunately, MFG offers a one-stop shop to simplify your search. MFG’s comprehensive manufacturer directory provides instant access to all the details you need to consider, such as facility size, capabilities, and certifications. Our directory also provides reviews and ratings from previous customers to help guide your selection. 

MFG streamlines your selection process further by enabling the creation of RFQs (Request for Quote) directly within the platform, significantly reducing the steps involved in outsourcing to a manufacturer. Register now to find your ideal outsourcing partner.

Customers expect their favorite products to always be in stock and in the quantities they might need at any moment. Many producers can struggle to keep pace with this demand using in-house resources and turn to outsourcing manufacturing as a solution. Outsourcing production brings many benefits, but it also comes with challenges that you should consider. Read on to discover the advantages of outsourcing manufacturing, ways to overcome the typical challenges, and how to find a manufacturing partner that aligns with your needs.

The 8 Benefits of Outsourcing Manufacturing

Outsourcing manufacturing offers more than just extra production capacity. When approached with careful planning, it can allow you to reduce expenditure, streamline operations, expand your product range, experiment with new technology, and more. Let’s look at the eight key advantages of adopting this approach in more detail:

1. Lower Costs 

In recent years, businesses have suffered dramatic increases in materials and labor costs. While your costs may have gone up, your customers are reluctant to pay more, cutting into your profit margins. Outsourcing lets you leverage the huge economies of scale offered by specialized facilities while sidestepping hefty upfront investments in infrastructure, equipment, or human resources. By transferring those expenses to your outsourcing partner, you can allocate more of your cash flow to where it’s most urgently needed. 

2. Leverage Specialized Manufacturing

Outsourcing expands the range of manufacturing options available beyond your own internal capabilities and opens up new opportunities. For example, you can order limited edition runs or products tailored to meet specific regulations for overseas markets. Having access to skilled custom manufacturers lets you experiment with new products and pursue untapped markets.

3. Scale Flexibly

Partnering with outsourced manufacturers means that you can scale up or step down production at short notice without worrying about significant investments in infrastructure or personnel, offering a flexible way to respond to changing markets or meet seasonal demand fluctuations.

4. Enhance Your Focus

Shifting to outsourced manufacturing allows you to focus more on improving your core competencies. Instead of fixating on the day-to-day ins and outs of the production process, you can concentrate your energy on perfecting your products, developing new ones, and enhancing your customer experience.

5. Distribute Risk 

An outsourced manufacturer can take on responsibility for sourcing raw materials and parts, employing and training factory workers, and managing certain production and supply chain risks. Engaging multiple manufacturers allows you to diversify your options and provides additional capacity in the event of disruptions. 

6. Improve Quality and Consistency

Outsourcing to specialized manufacturers with expertise in specific processes or products can lead to higher quality outputs and more consistent results. These partners often have advanced quality control systems, skilled workers, and industry certifications that ensure your products meet or exceed standards. By leveraging their expertise and resources, you can improve the overall quality and reliability of your products, enhancing customer satisfaction and brand reputation.

7. Access Technological Advancements 

Outsourcing partners may allow your firm to access cutting-edge technology without having to make the initial investment yourself. You can share the benefits, explore new techniques, or develop innovative products without shouldering all of the risk.

8. Time to Market

By outsourcing and diversifying your manufacturing base, you can eliminate expensive and lengthy lead times. This can accelerate product launches, resulting in less time to market and more satisfied customers.

How to Overcome the Top 3 Challenges of Outsourcing Manufacturing

Despite the advantages of outsourcing, producers often raise some common concerns about the idea of engaging an external manufacturer. Here are the most frequent objections to outsourcing and how you can mitigate them:

1. Security Risks: Sharing your patented designs and manufacturing techniques with multiple parties can present a business risk. This can be prevented by establishing airtight information-security requirements with the help of NDAs. For example, when you engage an outsourcing partner through MFG, NDAs are integrated into the process, ensuring the legally binding confidentiality of your information.
2. Communication Logistics: If your outsourcing partner isn’t physically located close to your premises, it can introduce uncertainty around delivery timelines. Different time zones and language barriers can make communication more challenging. Thanks to onshoring and nearshoring options, you can mitigate these concerns while still taking advantage of all the benefits of outsourcing manufacturing.
3. Lack of Control: Product development can include hundreds of steps, and trusting another company to make your product means giving up direct oversight of the operation. You may have concerns about design, consistency, and quality assurance. However, when you work through MFG, you can maintain tight control over the process thanks to prototyping and the ability to request frequent status updates.

The most efficient way to address all these concerns is by trusting MFG to help you find the right manufacturing partner.

How to Find the Right Manufacturer

Deciding to partner with a manufacturer is a significant step for your business, requiring the careful selection of a provider with the necessary expertise to meet your expectations. Finding the right manufacturer can be broken down into a four-step process:

1. Start by clearly defining your needs: Identify and document your product requirements, including the exact specifications and quality standards it must meet. 
2. Use a manufacturing directory: With a precise description of your objectives, leverage a manufacturer directory to shortlist reputable manufacturers.
   
3. Release an RFQ: Create a Request for Quote to begin receiving quotes from potential manufacturer matches.
4. Conduct due diligence: Review quotes, verify references, and examine customer ratings and reviews to confirm the reliability of your potential candidates and the quality of their work.
5. Set up a meeting: Following this evaluation, you can begin establishing a partnership either virtually or face-to-face.

Fortunately, MFG offers a one-stop shop to simplify your search. MFG’s comprehensive manufacturer directory provides instant access to all the details you need to consider, such as facility size, capabilities, and certifications. Our directory also provides reviews and ratings from previous customers to help guide your selection. 

MFG streamlines your selection process further by enabling the creation of RFQs (Request for Quote) directly within the platform, significantly reducing the steps involved in outsourcing to a manufacturer. Register now to find your ideal outsourcing partner.

There’s a common statistic thrown around that 80-90% of new products fail. Although this statistic, attributed to a Harvard professor, is a myth, the actual failure rate is still fairly high, ranging between 30-49%. Successfully developing new products is crucial for business growth, yet with so many launches failing, perhaps every company should pay more attention to product development. 

There are a lot of choices to make between coming up with the initial concept and introducing a product to the market. Here we break down what product development is and the various steps you can take to ensure your product launch will be a successful one.

What is Product Development?

A computer numerical control (CNC) machine is an automated manufacturing tool used for cutting, shaping, and producing high-precision items from a range of materials. CNC computers use pre-programmed sequences of commands to control the movement of cutting tools and other machinery and perform tasks such as milling, turning, drilling, routing, and grinding, among others. Various industries, such as aerospace, automotive, and industrial equipment manufacturing use CNC machining to produce complex high-quality parts and components with extreme precision.

Why Is a Product Development Strategy Important?

The high risk of failure for new products should be balanced against the opportunities they can unlock. Research by McKinsey found that the top 10 percent of companies earned 21 percent of their revenue from products and services that didn’t exist one year prior. Over the next five years, new services and products are expected to generate about $30 trillion in revenue. 

With such high stakes, having a solid product development strategy is critical. It will ensure you produce something marketable that creates real value for customers. An effective strategy also lets you correctly allocate resources and time to reduce waste and overspending. By proactively incorporating customer research you can identify current needs and pain points to satisfy market demands with products people want.

Without a sound strategy to guide your decisions, you risk developing blind spots that lead to inefficiencies and misplaced efforts that never reach revenue goals.

Product Development vs. Product Management

It’s important to distinguish product development from product management. Both processes work hand-in-hand to bring ideas to market but play different roles.

Product development refers to the technical creation and execution of building a new product. This involves hands-on design, engineering, problem-solving, prototyping, and testing to achieve a functional product that meets requirements. 

On the other hand, product management focuses more on business strategy, positioning, and profitability to ensure long-term market success.

What Are The Steps in Developing a Product?

While the specifics can vary across different companies, the following phases cover the most common product development process steps:

1. Generate Ideas

Identify new product opportunities through brainstorming sessions and competitive analysis. You can also use customer feedback or market research as inspiration.

Establish clear value propositions for your most promising concepts by identifying the specific consumer needs your idea addresses and the unique benefits it offers.

2. Evaluate the Idea

Evaluating the idea is crucial before investing significant resources. You will need to conduct: 

• Market analysis – assesses whether there is sufficient demand for your concept. 
• Technical analysis  –  determines whether your idea can be easily manufactured. 
• Business case modeling – essential to project financial metrics related to sales potential, cost structure, and profitability outlook. 

Finally, you’ll also want to create a detailed product roadmap to define major milestones and timelines, as well as establish quantifiable key performance indicators (KPIs) to track goals for sales volume, revenue, unit costs, and time-to-market targets. 

3. Develop and Test Concept

Work with your engineers and designers to finalize specifications, features, and intended user experience. Follow “design for manufacturability” principles to enable efficient future production. Create an initial prototype by partnering with manufacturing specialists. This minimum viable product only needs to feature the core functionality. 

Produce the full version of your product and launch a controlled beta program. This will let you observe how customers use it in the real world and reveal any issues you will need to address. Iteratively refine your product based on user feedback until you are satisfied you have a final production-ready version. 

4. Conduct Business Analysis and Plan Your Marketing Strategy

Business analysis will let you estimate the projected total market size and create sales forecast models based on pricing strategies and market dynamics. Build profitability projections and break-even analysis given the expected development, production, and marketing costs. Also, outline clear objectives and quantifiable KPIs for targeted first-year sales volumes and desired market share in key customer segments over time.

Use your analysis to formulate a comprehensive marketing strategy. This is also the stage to finalize your distribution plans, unit costs, and the pricing tactics needed to reach profit goals.

5. Design and Develop Product

Produce prototypes of your production-ready version, testing, and refining if necessary to ensure the product meets quality and regulatory requirements and customer expectations. Once satisfied, you can finally engage with manufacturers to begin preparing for full-scale production.

6. Perform Market Testing

Next, carry out controlled testing in a limited set of representative markets to generate invaluable real-world data. Monitor key metrics around sales performance, customer preferences, and pricing sensitivities. Use various customer feedback mechanisms to capture insights you can use to further hone your offering.

7. Launch Product

Perform final QA checks to validate production readiness before launch.

Execute your prepared marketing strategy – launch your campaigns, and ramp up promotions and sales efforts. Give manufacturers the go-ahead to begin mass production and alert your distribution partners that it’s time to start stocking the shelves. 

After launch, continue to closely monitor key metrics around sales, revenue, and market share. Gather customer feedback to inform any adjustments to your product or marketing strategies if necessary.

Entrepreneur Daniel Peskorse leveraged MFG’s marketplace to turn his innovative Snake Bite idea into a product now sold in three international markets. By posting a Request For Quote (RFQ), he connected with vetted manufacturers who worked with him from the prototyping stage right through to production.

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Count on MFG for all Your Product Development Needs

Taking a product from a bright idea to the mass market involves multiple complex steps. That’s why it’s a good idea to leverage the help of certified and vetted professionals to guide you along the way. MFG offers an interactive marketplace that will connect you with the manufacturing talent you need at each stage of product development.

We provide you with an efficient RFQ system that lets you access a global network of reviewed and rated manufacturers offering industry-specific solutions, diverse options, and custom manufacturing services. Whether you need CNC machining, injection molding, packing solutions, or assembly support, MFG can match you with the right specialists to meet your requirements.

Find out how MFG can support you throughout your product development journey today.

From prototyping to mass production, your choice of manufacturing technique plays a central role in determining your time to market as well as the quality and cost-effectiveness of your final product. CNC machining and plastic injection molding both allow you to make parts quickly and accurately, but these processes are quite distinct from each other and have varying use cases. So, it’s vital to consider which manufacturing process can best deliver the results you need. Read on to discover all you need to know about CNC Machining vs Plastic Injection Molding and find out which third option you should also consider.

What is CNC Machining?

A computer numerical control (CNC) machine is an automated manufacturing tool used for cutting, shaping, and producing high-precision items from a range of materials. CNC computers use pre-programmed sequences of commands to control the movement of cutting tools and other machinery and perform tasks such as milling, turning, drilling, routing, and grinding, among others. Various industries, such as aerospace, automotive, and industrial equipment manufacturing use CNC machining to produce complex high-quality parts and components with extreme precision.

What is Plastic Injection Molding?

This manufacturing process produces parts and components by injecting plastic material into a mold cavity under high pressure. Once the plastic cools and solidifies within the mold, it takes on the shape of the cavity creating the desired object. Plastic injection molding is highly versatile and can be used to produce complex shapes with precise dimensions and tight tolerances. It is used in various industries, including automotive, aerospace, consumer goods, medical devices, and electronics manufacturing to produce a wide range of parts and products.

Comparing CNC Machining vs Plastic Injection Molding

Sometimes the choice between CNC Machining vs plastic injection molding is clear, for example, if you need to work with metal, you don’t even need to consider injection molding. However, when it comes to plastic, either option may be a viable choice, and here’s where understanding the pros and cons of each can be useful. Let’s take a closer look at the advantages and disadvantages of CNC machining vs injection molding.

CNC Machining Pros

• CNC machines can use a wide variety of materials, including metal, wood, plastic, expanded polystyrene foams, ceramic, stone, glass, and rubber. 
• Their modular design and standardized components make them easy to customize for your changing needs.
• CNC machines offer the ability to use precise, small-diameter tools for greater accuracy and tighter tolerances.
• Automated processes and high-speed cutting capabilities mean they can manufacture parts quickly and efficiently.

CNC Machining Cons

• CNC machines have a high purchase price, require regular maintenance, and can be very expensive to repair if something goes wrong. To offset this cost, you can outsource manufacturing to a CNC machinist shop.
• While they automate and speed up the manufacturing process, CNC machines do require devoting some additional resources to training employees in their use and programming. This is another con that can be mitigated through outsourcing.

Plastic Injection Molding Pros

• Plastic injection molding can produce a large volume of parts very rapidly and the plastic pieces solidify quickly.
• Injection molded parts require very little in the way of cleanup and can be shipped almost immediately. 
• For large quantities, plastic injection molding can usually offer the lowest price per part. 

Plastic Injection Molding Cons

• Reworking plastic injection molded parts can be quite difficult due to the nature of the molding process and the potential for damage during reprocessing. 
• This technique involves high upfront costs, primarily due to the expense of tooling and mold creation.
• Injection molded parts can be prone to surface flaws caused by factors such as mold imperfections, material impurities, or processing conditions.
• Plastic injection molding can only produce plastic objects, if you need to use other materials, this process is not an option.

When the U.S. Army needed to find manufacturers that specialized in making machined aluminum housings it turned to the MFG Marketplace and expanded its pool of manufacturers capable of producing precision parts to its demanding specifications in short timeframes.  

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An Alternative to CNC Machining and Plastic Injection Molding

When choosing how to produce your parts or components, it’s not simply a choice between CNC machining vs injection molding, there’s a third option to consider. The best fit for your needs might be 3D printing. 

As an additive manufacturing process, 3D printing offers distinct advantages such as its ability to handle complex geometries and uniquely customized parts with minimal tooling requirements. It allows for rapid prototyping and an iterative design process, making it suitable for low-volume production or one-off parts. 3D printing can use a variety of materials, and is well-suited for producing lightweight, intricate parts. It is also relatively inexpensive; both the materials used for 3D printing and the initial set-up costs of the machines are lower than CNC machines or injection molding. 

However, there are some limitations to 3D printing that you should take into account. 3D-printed parts are usually less durable than items made with other types of manufacturing and require more finishing than the outputs of CNC machining or injection molding. While 3D printed parts can be made to tight tolerances, they may not always match the level of precision achieved through CNC machining or injection molding. This is especially true for filament-based machines (as opposed to resin 3D printers) that need careful calibration to ensure that all 3 axes are tightly controlled.

Trust MFG to Help You Find the Right Manufacturer

Ultimately, CNC machining, injection molding, and 3D printing each have their part to play in manufacturing and your choice depends on your specific use case and factors such as material requirements, desired quantity, and budget considerations.

With MFG, you have access to all the benefits of plastic injection molding, CNC machining, and 3D printing without having to invest in expensive equipment or retraining your employees. MFG can quickly connect you with thousands of verified custom manufacturers and our customer ratings and reviews help you select a partner with the specialized skills and equipment to make any part you need.

If you are looking for a manufacturer, MFG’s manufacturer directory is just a click away.

Recent rising costs and inflation are affecting businesses everywhere, in every industry. If you’re in the business of producing and manufacturing physical products, you know how much more expensive the entire process has become, from material sourcing to labor costs. Global events, supply chain issues, and a variety of other factors have influenced the growing expenses of running a business and have forced business owners to re-evaluate their spending. 2024 is expected to bring some slightly lower rates of inflation, but there are actions you can take in the meantime to improve cost savings for your business and increase your return.

Maintaining a profitable business with high-quality products when the economy isn’t at its best is doable; it just takes a few adjustments. Being willing to implement changes into your business model, increasing communication both internally and externally, creating and maintaining a budget, and exploring new partnerships are just some of the ways to reach your goals. In this blog post, we’ll explore more ways you can improve cost savings for your business, and how MFG can help. 

8 Ways to Reduce Manufacturing Costs

1. Visualize Your Goals: Short-, Mid-, and Long-Term

One of the first things you can do to increase your business’s profitability is to get out of only thinking about the here and now and start focusing on your goals for the future. These can be broken out into short-, mid-, and long-term goals and can apply to any facet of your business, from income to brand image. After establishing realistic targets, you can then set a roadmap to reach them.  An investment can seem like a great move right now, but with a zoomed-out lens, might not actually be of the most benefit to your company. For example, choosing a manufacturer who can quickly turn around your product for cheap might seem like a great idea when you’re low on cash, but if you want to build a reputation for having quality products, will it help with your long-term goals?

2. Aggregate Tasks and Save Time

Every task you complete needs time and money (and time is money), so are there any functional tasks that can be combined to save on both those resources? Maintaining the quality of products and services should remain important, but if two tasks can be compiled and done together without taking a loss on quality, then this action will save you or an employee time, which can then be allocated towards other tasks or even just save on labor costs.

MFG is a great way to save time during the sourcing process. MFG allows you to get quotes from multiple manufacturers at the same time by submitting a single request for a quote, so you don’t have to manually send quotes out to individual manufacturers. You can also compare all the quotes on one screen, saving you even more time. These competitive quotes will ensure you get the best price while you’re at work on something else. 

3. Use Outsourcing, Freelance, and Contract Work 

To continue to reduce costs in-house, both for materials and labor, turn to outsourcing, freelance, and contract work. Do you need some content written or promotional materials designed and don’t have the budget to hire a copywriter and/or graphic designer? Sites like Upwork are free to use and feature freelancers who specialize in all manners of work and content creation and can be hired for specific projects. Hiring a contract worker for a short-term job is another way to get work done without breaking the bank.

In addition to being able to hire on an as-needed basis, contractors also cost less because they do not have benefits that need to be paid out. Their hourly rates may be higher, but they still ultimately save you cash. While full-time employees can be a long-term goal, finding great freelancers can be a great way to get your business the help it needs on a smaller budget.

4. Reduce Manual Work In-House

Manufacturing products in-house requires a lot of upfront costs that can take years to pay off. You need to rent a bigger space, purchase machines, source raw materials, and hire staff that can keep everything running smoothly. Instead of piling on these costs, consider working with an established manufacturer to produce your custom parts. 

Signing up as a buyer on MFG.com is free, as is posting a request for a quote (RFQ). A quote through an outside manufacturer found on MFG could be significantly cheaper than if you produced in-house, but will still give you the quality you desire. Read reviews, communicate with the manufacturers, and feel confident that you’re getting the price and quality you deserve.

5. Designing Products Specific to Cost

Saving money in the production stage includes finding an affordable manufacturer, but also ensuring the production of your products aligns with your budget. Sticking to a set budget for your company means that clear communication needs to occur with your manufacturer on design and production. You know the vision for your product, but maybe there’s a material or process it could be produced in that helps reduce the cost per unit. Speak with your manufacturer about creating your products specific to a cost.

Set a specific budget for your products and communicate with your suppliers on the desired cost per unit to stay on track with that budget. A restricted budget doesn’t mean you have to lose product quality either, MFG offers a variety of manufacturers producing high-quality work at a competitive price!

6. Increase Production and Administrative Efficiency

Another place you can save costs within your businesses lies in streamlining production and administrative efficiency. A variety of tools are available for use, many of which offer free packages for small teams or starter packages for larger businesses. Organizational software like Asana or Trello allows you to easily delegate tasks, prioritize work, and communicate with team members. Giving your employees a clear roadmap of upcoming projects and what needs prioritization will facilitate a more streamlined business where time and money do not go to waste.

7. Increase Employee Productivity

Employee productivity is essential to cost savings for your business. If your current employees are productive, there is no need for additional hiring or spending on your part. Productivity can be increased in part through administrative efficiencies, but also through company culture and employee support. Forbes found that employees who are measured by their work outcome instead of activity are happier and more likely to be productive towards company goals. Brainstorm ways you can make your employees feel important in your company culture, how you can support them, and how to encourage continued good work.

8. Facilitate Marketing Partnerships

Part of creating and maintaining a successful company with lower costs is facilitating partnerships and building local networks. Finding the right partnerships is essential; look for other companies in similar industries with customer bases akin to yours but with enough of a difference that you’re not in competition. Teaming up with adjacent companies for marketing events or referrals, for example, could bring you both profits that wouldn’t have been financially feasible alone. Developing a local network and relationships with all manners of businesses can also facilitate the growth of your business to reach your long-term established goals.

There are many internal factors that go into running a quality and profitable business and many external factors that can make the profitable part of that equation difficult. Supply chain issues, rising costs, and inflation all make increasing cost savings for your business difficult, but not impossible. With tips like those listed above and tools like MFG, you can save on costs for your business and strive to reach your company goals.

In today’s fast-paced manufacturing landscape, CNC machining and 3D printing technology can ensure quick and precise parts production for various industries. But figuring out the best technology to make these parts can get tricky. That’s where understanding the use cases between CNC machining and 3D printing comes in.

What’s the Difference Between CNC Machining and 3D Printing?

CNC machining and 3D printing represent distinct manufacturing approaches with differences in process, materials, industry applications, and cost considerations. CNC machining operates through subtractive manufacturing, carving a final product from a solid block or sheet, offering precision and versatility across various materials. In contrast, 3D printing follows an additive process, layering material to build the product, excelling in swiftly creating intricate designs. The choice between these methods relies on factors like material compatibility, design complexity, industry requirements, and cost-effectiveness. Let’s explore these aspects in more detail to help you understand and select the best method for your needs. 

Difference in Process: CNC vs. 3D Printing

One major difference between CNC machining and 3D printing is the manufacturing process. While the end results can be similar, the steps to get there are not. 

CNC Process

CNC machining is a subtractive process where a CNC machine precisely removes material from a solid block. It excels in crafting intricate and detailed parts with exceptional precision, particularly when employing 5-axis CNC machines capable of three-dimensional cutting. 

While prototyping may be slower, CNC machining proves highly efficient for large-scale production, thanks to simultaneous cutting processes that contribute to time and cost savings. Its adaptability to high-volume manufacturing makes it a reliable choice for generating large quantities of parts with consistent quality and accuracy. CNC machines also accommodate a broader range of material choices and surface finish options compared to 3D printing, making them well-suited for industries requiring robust parts that can withstand significant pressure, heat, friction, and overall wear.

3D Printing Process

The 3D printing process is additive, building objects layer by layer, which is excellent for crafting intricate and complex designs. This method provides significant design freedom, allowing the creation of structures that might be challenging or impossible with traditional manufacturing. The additive process is also less wasteful than subtractive processes, since there are fewer scraps and wasted material. When applied to prototyping and small-scale production, 3D printing is typically faster due to its layer-by-layer construction, facilitating rapid iteration. However, a notable drawback is the limited range of materials and surface finish options compared to CNC machining. Careful material selection is crucial, and post-processing steps may be needed to achieve specific surface finishes, potentially altering both the appearance and functionality of the final printed object.

Difference in Materials: CNC vs. 3D Printing

CNC machining uses various metals, plastics, and composites, including durable materials like stainless steel and titanium. In contrast, 3D printing has limited material options, commonly using various plastic filaments and resins. Here’s a breakdown of the difference in material usage between CNC and 3D printing.

CNC Materials

CNC machining can use a diverse range of metals, plastics, and composites, including, but not limited to:

• Aluminum
• Brass
• Copper
• Stainless Steel
• Titanium
• Acrylic
• Wood
• MDF (Medium-Density Fiberboard)
• PVC (Polyvinyl Chloride)
• Delrin (Polyoxymethylene)

This broad selection of materials caters to applications demanding robust parts, high precision, and minimal warping. CNC machining uses more durable plastics and resins than the typical materials in 3D printing applications.

3D Printing Materials

Various types of 3D printers exist, typically using either spooled filament or liquid resin cured with UV light. Potential materials for 3D printing include:

• PLA (Polylactic Acid)
• ABS (Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene)
• PETG (Polyethylene Terephthalate Glycol)
• TPU (Thermoplastic Polyurethane)
• Nylon
• Polycarbonate
• PVA (Polyvinyl Alcohol)
• Woodfill
• Metal-filled Filaments
• Carbon Fiber-filled Filaments
• Extruded clay and ceramics

These printing materials come in various colors and textures, providing freedom in the appearance of the finished product.

Difference in Industries: CNC vs. 3D Printing

CNC Industries

CNC machining is known for its durability and ease of scaling up for mass production, making it a preferred choice in industries that demand robust and precisely dimensioned parts. This includes the following industries: automotive, aerospace, medical devices, electronics, tool and die making, oil and gas, defense, energy, custom furniture manufacturing, automated manufacturing, and consumer goods.

3D Printing Industries

In contrast, 3D printing has applications across virtually every industry. With the ability to swiftly create prototypes and make cost-effective adjustments, 3D printing proves invaluable for small batches, particularly in crafting ceramic parts. The process allows for extensive customization, facilitating the creation of multiple part variations before settling on the optimal design.

Difference in Cost: CNC vs. 3D Printing

Directly comparing CNC and 3D printing, 3D printing is more budget-friendly. That being said, cost-effectiveness can vary based on the scale and needs of your manufacturing. When handling smaller quantities or prototypes, 3D printing tends to be more economical, thanks to its lower initial setup and tooling costs. CNC machining is the more cost-efficient choice for larger quantities, offering superior precision, material strength, and the ability to meet specific material requirements. Considering these factors, investing in both CNC and 3D printing may prove to be a strategic approach for your business.

In the CNC vs 3D printing debate, your final choice depends on your specific manufacturing requirements. Opt for 3D printing when rapid prototypes or non-essential parts for smaller-scale projects are needed. However, if high precision or larger-scale production is necessary, CNC machining is your best option. 

If you’re searching for your first— or next—CNC machinist, explore MFG’s Manufacturer Directory to discover the ideal CNC shop tailored to your manufacturing needs.

Selecting the appropriate CNC machine is a pivotal decision for manufacturers seeking to meet customers’ intricate and complex design needs. While traditional 3-axis CNC machines have their merits, limited linear movements make it difficult to fulfill intricate design requirements. A 5-axis CNC machine allows you to break free from the constraints of linear movements, unlocking the ability to approach a workpiece from multiple angles. In this article, we will explain the key differences between 3-axis and 5-axis CNC machines and help you identify which type is best for your specific manufacturing needs.

3-Axis vs. 5-Axis CNC Machine

A 3-axis CNC machine operates in three directions (X, Y, and Z), making it suitable for simpler, flat, and less complex cuts. On the other hand, a 5-axis CNC machine can move the tool in two additional rotational axes (A and B), allowing it to approach the workpiece from various angles. This additional flexibility enables 5-axis machines to handle more intricate cuts and produce complex three-dimensional shapes with higher precision. 

A 3-axis CNC machine is commonly used for tasks like milling or cutting flat surfaces, such as creating simple molds or basic components like rectangular plates. A 5-axis CNC machine can efficiently manufacture sculpted surfaces on aerospace components or intricate designs on medical implants by dynamically adjusting the tool’s orientation to match the contours of the workpiece from different angles.

What is a 5-Axis CNC Machine?

A 5-axis CNC machine is an advanced, versatile manufacturing tool that can move a cutting tool or workpiece in five different axes simultaneously. This gives it enhanced precision and complexity in machining operations. Compared to traditional 3-axis CNC machines, which can move along the X, Y, and Z axes in a linear fashion, a 5-axis CNC machine adds two rotational axes, typically denoted as A and B.

This heightened flexibility is particularly advantageous in industries where precision and complexity are paramount. 5-axis CNC machines excel in tackling intricate geometries and contours, reducing the need for multiple setups and tool changes, and ultimately increasing efficiency and accuracy in the machining process. The ability to perform complex cuts from various angles makes 5-axis CNC machines invaluable for crafting intricate components that demand the highest precision and sophistication.

Key Features of a 5-Axis CNC Machine

• XYZ Axis: The XYZ axis refers to the traditional linear movement capabilities of a CNC machine. The X axis represents horizontal movement, the Y axis represents vertical movement, and the Z axis represents depth or the movement towards and away from the workpiece. These axes provide the basic directional movements for cutting tools and workpieces in a 3D space.
• A Axis: The A axis in a 5-axis CNC machine represents rotation around the X axis. This rotational axis allows the cutting tool or workpiece to be tilted, enabling machining from different angles and orientations. The A axis enhances the machine’s ability to approach a workpiece flexibly, allowing for more complex cuts.
• B Axis: The B axis in a 5-axis CNC machine represents rotation around the Y axis. Like the A axis, the B axis enables the machine to tilt and swivel, providing additional freedom to approach the workpiece from different perspectives. The B axis, combined with the A axis, allows for comprehensive multi-angle machining.
• Enhanced Capabilities: 5-axis CNC machines offer enhanced machining capabilities by incorporating the A and B axes. The additional rotational axes enable the machine to reach areas that would be challenging or impossible for a 3-axis machine, expanding the range of components that can be manufactured.
• Increased Efficiency: The multi-axis movement of a 5-axis CNC machine reduces the need for multiple setups and tool changes. This streamlines the manufacturing process, increasing efficiency and expediting production times. The machine can complete complex tasks in a single setup, minimizing downtime and increasing overall productivity.
• Improved Accuracy: The ability to approach a workpiece from various angles enhances the precision and accuracy of the machining process. 5-axis CNC machines can maintain consistent tool engagement with the workpiece, resulting in higher accuracy in intricate cuts. The reduction of errors and enhanced repeatability further contribute to the overall precision of the manufactured components.

Core Industries That Benefit From 5-Axis Machining

Industries that require advanced 5-axis machining rely on high degrees of precision and complexity. These include, but are not limited to, the following industries:

• Automotive
• Aerospace
• Medical
• General Machining

What is a 3-Axis CNC Machine?

A 3-axis CNC machine is a type of CNC machine that operates with three primary axes of motion, typically denoted as X, Y, and Z. These axes correspond to three linear directions, allowing the machine to move a cutting tool or workpiece along them for machining operations. These machines are used to create parts from various materials, such as metal, wood, and plastics.

In a 3-axis CNC machine, the cutting tool or workpiece is manipulated within this three-dimensional space, allowing for various machining operations such as milling, drilling, and cutting. However, unlike 5-axis CNC machines, which have additional rotational axes, a 3-axis machine is limited to linear movements. This limitation means the tool can approach the workpiece from a fixed set of angles, potentially requiring multiple setups for complex machining tasks.

While 3-axis CNC machines are versatile, fast, and widely used in various industries for tasks such as prototyping and general machining, they may face challenges when dealing with highly intricate or complex designs that demand a higher degree of flexibility and precision.

Key Features of a 3-Axis CNC Machine:

• X Axis: The X axis is one of the primary linear axes in a 3-axis CNC machine. It represents the horizontal movement along the machine’s length.
• Y Axis: The Y axis is another primary linear axis in a 3-axis CNC machine. It represents the vertical movement along the machine’s width.
• Z Axis: The Z axis is the third primary linear axis in a 3-axis CNC machine. It represents the movement along the machine’s depth or height.

Core Industries That Benefit From 3-Axis Machining

Industries that rely on 3-axis machining don’t require the same precision tolerances as industries that use 5-axis machines. These include, but are not limited to, the following industries:

• Prototyping
• Woodworking
• Metalworking
• Plastics

Finding the Right CNC Machine For Your Needs

Understanding the optimal CNC machine for your industry is the initial step toward manufacturing success. However, being aware of the available machine types isn’t enough; it’s crucial to identify the right machine that aligns with your requirements and budget. If you aren’t sure which machine would be right for your project, it may be helpful to connect with a CNC machinist to get a professional opinion.

If you are looking for a CNC machinist, MFG provides two options for finding the right fit. Create an account and submit a Request for Quote to get pricing estimates from CNC manufacturers, or use MFG’s Manufacturer Directory to search for particular criteria. You can even search for particular CNC machines, including 3-axis and 5-axis machines. 

In addition to CNC machinery, you may also want to consider adding other rapid prototyping and manufacturing devices, like 3D printers, to your manufacturing repertoire. 

With the new year often comes new goals to take your manufacturing business to new heights. One way to do that is by using AI (artificial intelligence), a tool businesses have used for many years. Recently, however, new AI tools have surfaced that will take your business communications to the next level – and they’re readily available to everyone. Despite being only in its sophomore year, the AI program ChatGPT is a highly sophisticated and well-developed tool that can help you streamline your business communications for overall company benefit. Users can access this tool for free to ask complex questions and receive human-like responses in real-time. From ideation of content and blog topics to writing emails and social media copy, ChatGPT can serve as a valuable tool for growing your manufacturing business, and we’re here to break it all down.

What is ChatGPT?

Launched by developer OpenAI in November of 2022, ChatGPT is a language software program that allows users to ask and converse with an artificial intelligence chatbot. OpenAI’s release spurred the engineering of competing chatbots, and the overall use of conversationalist AI is now widespread and increasing. The core function of ChatGPT is to mimic conversation in a human-like fashion to answer questions and write content, but the use of the program has abounded. The software can also do research, write code, compose music, generate images, simulate games, write song lyrics, do homework, and much more. While the wide range of ChatGPT’s capabilities has raised some eyebrows, others have recognized the way such programs can aid and assist individuals and businesses. With approximately 100 million active users, ChatGPT is only growing in popularity and use.

How can ChatGPT help your manufacturing business?

ChatGPT can be used in a variety of ways to generate traction and profit for your business. For example, to identify what your customer base is interested in, you can ask the platform a question like: “What are buyers looking for in their manufacturers?”. Asking a question such as this will provide you with broader answers from which you can build your communications strategy; in this case, maybe a social media post dedicated to the given AI response. You can also ask the program something more direct, such as, “Write an Instagram caption for a post about my new CNC machine,” which will provide you with completed communications. The program can be helpful no matter what stage of communication you are in, whether you are looking for a caption to solidify an already strong post or are experiencing writer’s block and need help getting off the ground. Utilizing ChatGPT for these tasks and more will also allow you more time for other tasks, increasing the overall productivity and profitability of your company. From the broader ideas available to the specific content you can use, here are six ways you can use ChatGPT to improve your business communication. 

How to use ChatGPT for manufacturing business communication:

1. Ideation and brainstorming. We can all hit a wall sometimes with developing ideas and new content, but to keep customers engaged and attract new ones, it’s essential to release regular content. ChatGPT can be a great aid here to help you brainstorm ideas for your social media, customer communications, and your website. Simply ask the program for ideas to promote your business. When we asked ChatGPT, “Help me promote my manufacturing business to my customers online,” we received 10 suggestions ranging from content marketing and infographics to website optimization and client testimonials.

    

2. Develop content ideas for social media. If you’re struggling to brainstorm new content for your social media pages, like LinkedIn or Facebook, ChatGPT can help you there as well. Writer’s block when originating content is nothing new, but the solution of integrating AI is relatively so. Ask the program to give you some ideas for your social media page, even for a specific platform. At MFG, when we asked ChatGPT, “Give me ideas for social media content for my manufacturing business,” the software replied with various in-depth ideas. Suggestions included showing behind-the-scenes of the production process, employee spotlights, product features, customer testimonials, industry news, and more. Additionally, these topics were accompanied by detailed suggestions for execution and material.

    

3. Write email flows and social media copy. ChatGPT can help you with more than just the social and online content, it can also assist you in writing the copy and communications that accompany that content. You can ask ChatGPT to write you a set of emails to remind customers about a deal your offerings, or an Instagram caption to promote a new machine in your retinue. To avoid any plagiarism or spelling errors, it is best practice to read through and edit anything the program produces before releasing it to customers. Let the software provide you with a baseline, change a few words if the email or caption is not in your voice, and you’re ready to communicate with customers!

    

4. Find relevant Search Engine Optimization (SEO) keywords. Improving business communications happens on more than just social media, and ChatGPT can lend a hand with optimizing your website as well. Ranking high on Google Search is incredibly important for business growth overall, and picking the right Search Engine Optimization (SEO) keywords to insert on your website is essential. You can ask ChatGPT what keywords your ideal customer would be searching for on Google, or what keywords would be applicable in content regarding machining, and use those keywords in communications on your website. SEO keywords can be utilized in headlines, in bodies of text, and in your blogs to rank higher when potential customers search for those terms on Google.

    

5. Get topic ideas for your blog posts and develop outlines. Let’s say ChatGPT told you that your customer base is searching for the keywords “CNC machining” and “screw/swiss machining,” and you want to include these terms on your website to receive more clicks. A blog post is a great way to do just that, and ChatGPT can help you write it. Ask the program “What blog post can I write about CNC machining?” or “Write a blog post outline on the differences between CNC machining and screw/swiss machining.” You can take these foundational building blocks and write out the content in your voice, producing a blog post with applicable content and the given keywords. Publishing content like this will bring traffic to your website, save you time, and boost your business communication.

    

6. Ask for information sources on new ideas. Accurate information and proper sourcing for any business communication are incredibly important. Readers want to know where you got your information from, what backs your claims, and what makes your words trustworthy. However, finding relevant and trustworthy information can be incredibly time-consuming. Here’s where AI can help. Ask ChatGPT to find articles or websites featuring a topic you want to write about. It’s important to read through any results to verify the author and if it contains what you’re looking for, but ChatGPT can get the ball rolling on finding sources to create content. With compiled sources and an outline to work from, ChatGPT can give you a great start to creating content for your business and communications.

From writing a clever caption for a new Instagram post to email templates and blog outlines, AI and ChatGPT can simplify and enhance the way your business handles communications. Introducing ChatGPT into your set of business tools can bring you new ideas, generate new leads, increase customer engagements, boost website visitors, and more. It’s important to remember, especially with long-form content, that your own voice should always take precedence. Take inspiration from the AI, but do not copy the entire article. Always fact-check sources and proofread short-form communication, such as emails and copy, before sending and posting. Used right, ChatGPT is a great tool to include in your arsenal to bring your business to new heights in the new year.

For more tips on how to grow and market your manufacturing business, read our other MFG blog posts.