Whitepapers

Understanding Injection Moulding Tolerances

Published: 04/24

While injection moulding is a relatively precise process, there may be very slight variations between your design and your finished part. Tolerance is the range of deviation in specifications that still allows your part to function as needed. This is especially important when your project involves ...

Comparing the Cost between Injection Moulding and 3D Printing

Published: 04/24

Applications for 3D printing are expanding rapidly in response to new materials, technologies and secondary processes announced seemingly daily. We now see additive manufacturing being used for not only prototyping, but also production parts to reduce assemblies and fabricate complex geometries.

Lab Equipment Access Technology Enhances Ergonomics and Productivity

Published: 03/24

Today’s clinical research labs use a wide range of automated tools to perform their vital tasks, including large-scale centrifuges, high-speed liquid sampling systems, storage refrigerators and other equipment. Significant growth rates are projected for these types of systems, with the global lab ...

How can design firms get the best from their manufacturing partnership?

Published: 03/24

You’re a design firm. You have engineering expertise. You have the know-how. Now, you need access to the technology to bring your part to life. So, how do you choose a manufacturing partner? And how do you ensure you get the most out of that relationship?

Unveiling the Secrets: The Anatomy of a Mould Tool

Published: 03/24

?Have you ever wondered what an injection mould tool consists of? Explore our comprehensive guide to learn more about the ins and outs of mould tool anatomy.

Material Hardness Testing of CNC Machined Parts

Published: 03/24

When selecting the right material for your CNC machined part, hardness is often one of the key considerations. Harder materials resist deformation and scratches, making them longer-lasting and easier to clean and maintain. However, you will often sacrifice toughness if you require a hard material. ...

Securing EV: Charging and Grid Infrastructure

Published: 02/24

Battery storage systems and electric vehicle charging units are rapidly being woven into the infrastructure of today’s world. EV charging stations are being installed in many locations, including parking lots, garages, and renewable wind and solar power systems are driving the growth of ...

How to choose the right design firm for your needs

Published: 02/24

So you have an idea and may even have a design sketched, but you need someone to help you get that part designed in CAD, prototyped, tested and out to market; where do you start?

Digital Manufacturing: The Growing Appetite in Food and Agriculture

Published: 02/24

It’s no secret that digital manufacturing is revolutionising the agriculture industry – In fact, we delved into the transformative potential of digital manufacturing in agriculture in an earlier blog. But the demand for more is unprecedented, which begs the question: what is driving the growth?

When in Doubt, Go With the Flow—Proper Resin Flow

Published: 02/24

Use thermoplastic resin flow analysis to improve the mouldability of your parts

New Animation: Remove the need for physical keys with the new Keypanion™ app

Published: 01/24

The Keypanion™ app lets you use your phone or smart device to wirelessly access your equipment anytime, anywhere.

Watch New Animation: Southco Electric Actuator for Vehicle Interior Stowage

Published: 01/24

?As the leading supplier of proven access hardware solutions to the Automotive industry, Southco understands that advancing technological innovation, enhancing driver and vehicle safety and optimising performance are paramount to designers of car interior.

Manufacturing Considerations for Plastic Prototyping

Published: 01/24

The term “back to the drawing board” is more than a cliché. Planning for and producing multiple iterations of any product is the most effective way to reduce overall project costs. And this is no different than when designing a part made from plastic.

Unveiling the Secrets: The Anatomy of a Mould Tool

Published: 01/24

Whether you're an experienced engineer, student or enthusiast, you'll likely be wondering what an injection mould tool consists of. In this comprehensive guide, we will delve deep into the anatomy of a mould tool, unravelling its components, functions, and the process that occurs when it's in ...

Types of 3D Printing Technology

Published: 01/24

The term 3D printing encompasses several manufacturing technologies that build parts layer-by-layer. Each vary in the way they form plastic and metal parts and can differ in material selection, surface finish, durability, and manufacturing speed and cost.

TYPES OF FASTENERS: THE COMPLETE GUIDE

Published: 01/24

Engineers may overlook fastener choice when designing their products. Fasteners are a key product design consideration.

THE SMART CHOICE: SELECTING HARDWARE TO EMBRACE THE SMART CITY MOVEMENT

Published: 01/24

Our cities have always been places where new technologies are rapidly adopted and deployed to enable new modes of living, working and social interaction. The rise of advanced digital devices and communications tools, growth in electric vehicle (EV) use and ecommerce home delivery — all these ...

SMALL MECHANISMS MAKE A BIG IMPACT IN APPLICATION DESIGN

Published: 01/24

People often like to talk about how digital our world is becoming. They point to the smart wireless devices and 5G networks that give us 24/7 access to digital content and tools that have become essential to daily life.

Designing Enterprise Server Hardware to Protect the Physical Side of the Internet

Published: 01/24

As the demand for data capacity continues to increase, massive investments are being made to engineer and protect server technologies, communications systems, and data center enterprise equipment – the physical components that make up the Internet, and store critical data.

Combining Rigid and Flexible Materials with PolyJet Overmoulding

Published: 12/23

Create unique, complex geometries with overmoulds by leveraging PolyJet 3D printing.

How DMLS Can Be Used to Produce Reliable Metal Parts

Published: 11/23

When the first direct metal laser sintering (DMLS) machines hit the production floor, some in the manufacturing community assumed the end of traditional machining was near. After all, how cool is it to fill a machine with metal powder, load a CAD file, and a few hours later, out pops a shiny new ...

Protolabs x IMechE Survey 2023: Cost Pressures Hit Manufacturing's Sustainability Goal

Published: 11/23

If innovation has been the manufacturing buzzword of the past five years, the next five might be marked by a different one: inflation.

Anodising vs. Electroplating: How to choose the right finish for your parts

Published: 11/23

In the world of metal finishing, Anodising and Electroplating stand as formidable contenders, each wielding its own unique set of attributes to enhance the appearance, corrosion resistance, and durability of metal parts. To help you understand what finish is right for you, let's dive into these two ...

3D Printed Plastic: Prototypes: What's Next?

Published: 10/23

3D printing is often a great entry route to prototyping plastic parts mainly because it is a quick, flexible, and cost-effective process. But what happens once you are ready to move forward with your product development plan?

Designing 3D Printed Parts with Speed in Mind

Published: 10/23

When it comes to rapid prototyping, speed is key. Finding a supplier that can turn around your parts quickly and accurately is vital. But did you know there are things you can do when designing your part to ensure the quickest build possible?