CAD designs, including both 3D models and 2D plans, are protected by various forms of intellectual property (IP) laws. The protections range widely from trademarks and copyrights to inventions protected by patent laws, protected designs, and internationally agreed trade rules for…
The fields of design, engineering, construction, and manufacturing often bring together multiple players, including designers, engineers, contractors and subcontractors, suppliers, and clients. Each individual plays a crucial role in achieving project goals and must stay aligned with the team. To be…
Solid Edge originated in the mid-1990s, with the first version released in 1996. Over time, this 2D and 3D modeling software has made its mark by consistently evolving and expanding its features. Today, the software falls in the mid-range category, meaning…
The world of manufacturing offers thousands of materials, with new ones being developed daily. Each of these materials has characteristics that make it ideal for a particular function based on certain prevailing conditions. Narrowing the list of viable materials to a…
CNC machining efficiency refers to the output, measured by the number of parts produced, in a given period. The higher the output, the higher the efficiency, and vice versa. Multiple factors, such as the cutting tool or the structure holding the…
Simulation is essential in design, engineering, and manufacturing. For example, computer-aided engineering (CAE) software simulates 3D models, helping professionals visualize and improve designs while resolving engineering issues. After final design approval, the next step is manufacturing, often using CNC machining. First,…
As PwC observed in a May 2024 study, the manufacturing industry is noticeably shifting. Today, a growing number of customers prefer tailored and customized products. To accommodate this change in consumer preferences, manufacturers have had to transition from the mass production…
What often catches our eyes when we first look at any product is its outward appearance. There is little wonder then that this is also the case even in CNC machining. However, for parts produced through machining operations, the outward appearance…
Like any other business, machining shops and companies must maximize profits and reduce CNC machining costs to prolong their operations. Thus, an understanding of machining economics is essential. This knowledge helps you optimize the productivity, efficiency, and effectiveness of CNC machining…
Machining or manufacturing performance boosts the competitiveness of machine shops. A company is said to have attained high machining performance if it achieves indicators like operating efficiency, waste reduction, customer satisfaction, product quality, employee motivation, etc. This means that efficiency alone…
ISO 9000:2015 defines quality as the degree to which a set of inherent characteristics and features of a product fulfills a stated or implied need, expectation, or requirement. During the creation of a product or construction of a structure, plenty of…
Traditionally, original equipment manufacturers (OEM) were responsible for creating all design and engineering data and manufacturing products using that data; but not anymore. Today, more and more OEMs have passed most of these roles to suppliers, adopting what is known as…
Compliance indicates that a product or service meets the requirements of a relevant regulation or specification. It is an indicator of the attainment of quality. Indeed, compliance cannot exist without regulations or specifications because it would not make sense to claim…
According to the Springer Handbook of Automation, automation has existed since prehistory and has been evolving for centuries. Over the years since, process autonomy, decision-making autonomy, and automatic control have evolved across three generations to what it is today. The first…
While the general population often uses 3D printing (3DP) and additive manufacturing interchangeably, this should not be the case. To most people, 3DP mostly conjures up the image of a manufacturing machine, like a desktop printer or copier, that uses digital…
The evolution of the CAD space, coupled with the development of powerful CAD software, has transformed various industries. Gone are the days when engineers and designers had to use paper-based media to represent their 2D and 3D creations. Today, professionals use…
Companies are increasingly embracing digital transformation to enhance organizational and technical performance, scheduling efficiency, and the cost-effectiveness and execution of programs. Usually, such companies can choose one approach from a few alternatives. They can adopt the concept of digital twins. Digital…
There are several ways of integrating the real world into the digital world. These include digital twins, virtual reality (VR), augmented reality (AR), and mixed reality (MR). However, these methods are implemented differently, albeit tied by a common thread: computer-aided design….
Traditional product design systems have largely used sequential design processes, a sharp contrast to collaborative CAD software that use concurrent design processes. These systems break down a design task into smaller tasks that are sequentially executed following a predefined way of…
Prototyping is a centuries-old concept, while virtual prototyping is a relatively new development. Centuries ago, inventors and designers created miniature, physical representations of products they wished to create to assess the suitability of their designs. This process was time-consuming and often…
