Materials
Metals
Carbon Steel
Aluminium
- Stainless Steel
- Brass
- Copper
- Zinc Alloys
Plastics
- PA (Polyamide nylon)
- POM (Polyoxymethylene)
PMMA (Acrylic)
- PC (Polycarbonate)
- (PEEK)
- ABS
Quality Control
- Purpose: To identify obvious defects such as surface scratches, tool marks, or burrs.
- Tools: Magnifying glass, microscopes, or the naked eye.
- Applications: Initial screening to ensure parts meet visual quality expectations.
- Purpose: To measure the dimensions of parts to ensure they meet specified tolerances.
- Tools: Calipers, Micrometers, Height Gauges, CMM (Coordinate Measuring Machine), Go/No-Go Gauges
- Purpose: To inspect the first part produced to verify the setup and ensure compliance with specifications before full production.
- Documentation: Detailed inspection reports for traceability.
- Purpose: To evaluate the smoothness or roughness of a part’s surface.
- Tools:
- Profilometers: Measure surface roughness (Ra, Rz).
- Comparators: Visual reference charts for surface textures.
Design for Machining
- Prioritize Simplicity: Opt for straightforward geometries to reduce costs and manufacturing complexities.
- Specify Tolerances Wisely: Overly tight tolerances can increase production costs. Define them based on functional needs.
- Material Selection: Choose materials that balance performance and machinability. Aluminum and mild steel are economical for prototyping.
- Include Finishing Allowances: Allow for material removal during surface finishing processes like polishing or anodizing.
