Blogs
RTV Silicone Molds Explained: How the Right Mold Makes or Breaks a Urethane Casting Project
When most people think about urethane casting, they focus on the finished part. But the part is only as good as the mold it comes from. The RTV silicone mold sits at the center of every casting project, and getting it right is the difference between crisp, repeatable parts and a frustrating run of defects. […]
Shore A to Shore D: Matching Urethane Casting Materials to Your Part’s Real-World Demands
One of the biggest advantages of urethane casting is material range. The same process that produces a soft, rubber-like gasket can also produce a rigid, impact-resistant housing. The difference comes down to durometer, the measurement of how hard or soft a cast material is. Understanding the Shore A to Shore D scale helps you specify […]
How ULTEM, PEKK, and Nylon 12CF Are Expanding What’s Possible with FDM 3D Printing
FDM 3D printing has come a long way from basic prototyping with standard plastics. Today, the materials available for FDM printing have made it possible to produce end-use parts capable of handling extreme heat, chemical exposure, high mechanical loads, and demanding regulatory requirements. For engineers and manufacturers who once assumed 3D printing couldn’t meet the performance bar […]
Beyond Aerospace: How Custom Scale Models Are Used in Architecture, Automotive, and Consumer Products
When most people think of custom scale models, the aerospace and defense industries come to mind first. It makes sense — highly detailed models of satellites, rockets, and spacecraft are some of the most recognizable examples of the craft. But the applications for custom scale models extend far beyond the space industry. Architects, automotive designers, consumer […]
Why DLP/SLA 3D Printing Is Now a Viable Option for Production-Grade Parts — Not Just Prototypes
For years, SLA (Stereolithography) 3D printing carried a mixed reputation. Engineers loved it for surface finish and fine detail, but they knew the drawbacks all too well: brittle parts, poor UV stability, heat sensitivity, and a tendency to degrade quickly under real-world conditions. It was a prototype-only technology — useful for showing a concept, but […]
How Custom Scale Models Help Space, Aerospace, and Defense Companies Communicate Complex Designs
In industries where the stakes are high and the hardware is extraordinarily complex, communicating a design clearly can be just as important as the design itself. Engineers, program managers, executives, and government stakeholders all need to understand what is being built — and they don’t always share the same technical background or comfort with CAD […]
Large-Format 3D Printing: How Engineers Produce Oversized Parts Without Traditional Manufacturing Limits
For many engineers and product developers, creating large parts has traditionally meant navigating expensive tooling, long lead times, and strict manufacturing constraints. Conventional fabrication methods such as CNC machining or injection molding can become extremely costly when working with oversized components, complex geometries, or low production volumes. Large-format 3D printing is changing that equation. By […]
How Automotive Teams Use 3D Printing to Accelerate Testing, Iteration, and Low-Volume Production
Automotive development has always required speed, precision, and constant innovation. From concept vehicles to high-performance racing components, engineers must test, refine, and validate designs quickly while maintaining strict performance standards. Traditional manufacturing methods often slow down this process due to expensive tooling, long production timelines, and limited flexibility. Today, automotive teams are increasingly turning to […]
Why Post-Processing Matters: How Finishing Techniques Transform 3D Printed Parts for Functional and Display Use
3D printing has revolutionized how parts are designed and manufactured. But what comes off the printer is rarely the final product. Raw printed parts—whether produced via FDM, DLP/SLA, or urethane casting—often require additional finishing to meet performance, durability, and aesthetic standards. For functional prototypes, end-use components, and high-detail display models, post-processing is not optional. It’s […]
How to Choose the Right 3D Printing Material for Functional Prototypes and End-Use Parts
Selecting the right 3D printing material is one of the most critical decisions in any additive manufacturing project. A well-designed part can fail in testing—not because of geometry, but because the material wasn’t matched to its real-world application. For functional prototypes and end-use parts, material selection must go beyond appearance. Mechanical performance, heat resistance, chemical […]