CNC Tolerance Guide: Do You Really Need ±0.005 mm?
ISO 2768 tolerance grades explained, cost multipliers per tolerance band, fit relationships and the 7 most common over-spec mistakes engineers make on CNC drawings.
Tag: DFM
-
-
Design for CNC: 7 Rules That Cut Machining Cost by 30-50%
Seven proven CNC design rules that cut machining cost 30-50% — pocket geometry, internal radii, wall thickness, hole standardization, tolerance, fixturing, surface finish.
-
Sheet Metal Bend Radius: How to Avoid Cracking, Distortion and Costly Tooling Mistakes
Minimum bend radius rules, K-factor explained, material multiplier table for aluminum, steel and stainless. 6 design rules and a self-check that saves $5K+ per project.
-
Injection Molding DFM Checklist: 12 Mistakes That Kill First-Time Tooling Projects
12 critical DFM rules every engineer should check before cutting steel: wall thickness, draft, ribs, gates, weld lines, ejection. Save 30-50% on tool revisions and scrap.
-
SLA vs SLS vs MJF: Which 3D Printing Process Should You Pick?
SLA, SLS and MJF produce drastically different parts. Compare principle, materials, accuracy, strength, surface finish and cost — with 5 part-type recommendations and a decision flowchart.
-
6061 vs 7075 Aluminum: Which One Fits Your Part?
7075 is roughly 2× the cost of 6061 and 85% stronger. We unpack the chemistry, mechanical data, weldability, anodizing and corrosion tradeoffs so you spec the right alloy without overpaying or under-engineering.
-
3-Axis vs 5-Axis CNC: When Is the Upgrade Worth It?
5-axis CNC is roughly 2× the hourly rate of 3-axis but can hit 0.3-0.5× the cycle time on a complex part. We break down the geometric, economic and quality factors that decide whether the upgrade pays back — with five worked scenarios and a one-line decision rule.
-
Soft Tooling vs. Hard Tooling Injection Molding: When to Upgrade Based on Volume? 8-Dimension Comparison + Decision Formula
Both are injection molding, but soft tooling costs ¥30,000 while hard tooling costs ¥300,000 — an order of magnitude difference. This article uses real data to tell you how volume, complexity, material, and lifespan determine which to choose, with 3 real customer cases and 5 common misconceptions.