What is passivation?
Passivation is a chemical process used to enhance the corrosion resistance and durability of a metal. Find out how it works and when it’s a worthwhile addition to your custom parts.
Read article
EN
In this article, we’ll take a look at several of the technologies and materials used to manufacture parts for production, their benefits, things to consider, and more.
Manufacturing parts for production – also known as end-use parts – refers to the process of using raw materials to create a part that is designed and manufactured to be used in a final product, as opposed to a prototype or model. Check out our guide to manufacturing initial prototypes to learn more about this.
To ensure your parts function in a real-world environment – as machinery parts, vehicle components, consumer products, or any other functional purpose – manufacturing needs to be approached with this in mind. To successfully and efficiently manufacture parts for production, you should consider materials, design, and production methods to ensure you meet the necessary functional, safety, and quality requirements.
Common materials for parts meant for production include metals such as steel or aluminum, plastics such as ABS, polycarbonate, and nylon, composites such as carbon fiber and fiberglass and certain ceramics.
The right material for your end-use parts will depend on the specific requirements of the application, as well as its cost and availability. Here are a few common properties to consider when selecting materials with which to manufacture parts for production:
Strength. Materials should be strong enough to withstand the forces to which a part will be exposed during use. Metals are good examples of strong materials.
Durability. Materials should be able to withstand wear and tear over time without degrading or breaking down. Composites are known for both durability and strength.
Flexibility. Depending on the application of the final part, a material may need to be flexible to accommodate movement or deformation. Plastics such as polycarbonate and nylon are known for their flexibility.
Temperature resistance. If the part will be exposed to high temperatures, for example, the material should be able to withstand the heat without melting or deforming. Steel, ABS, and ceramics are examples of materials that exhibit good temperature resistance.
Four types of manufacturing methods are used to create parts for production: subtractive manufacturing, additive manufacturing, metal forming, and casting.
Subtractive manufacturing – also known as traditional manufacturing – involves removing material from a larger piece of material until a desired shape is achieved. Subtractive manufacturing is often faster than additive manufacturing, making it more suitable for high-volume batch production. However, it can be more expensive, especially when considering tooling and setup costs, and generally produces more waste.
Computer numerical control (CNC) milling. A type of CNC machining, CNC milling involves using a cutting tool to remove material from a solid block to create a finished part. It is able to create parts with high degrees of accuracy and precision in materials such as metals, plastics, and composites.
CNC turning. Also a type of CNC machining, CNC turning uses a cutting tool to remove material from a rotating solid. It is typically used to create objects that are cylindrical, such as valves or shafts.
Sheet metal fabrication. In sheet metal fabrication, a flat sheet of metal is cut or formed according to a blueprint, usually a DXF or CAD file.
Additive manufacturing – also known as 3D printing – refers to a process in which material is added atop itself to create a part. It is able to produce highly complex shapes that would otherwise be impossible with traditional (subtractive) manufacturing methods, generates less waste, and can be faster and less expensive, especially when producing small batches of complex parts. Creating simple parts, however, can be slower than subtractive manufacturing, and the range of available materials is generally smaller.
Stereolithography (SLA). Also known as resin 3D printing, SLA uses UV lasers as a light source to selectively cure a polymer resin and create a finished part.
Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM). Also known as fused filament fabrication (FFF), FDM builds parts layer by layer, selectively depositing melted material in a predetermined path. It uses thermoplastic polymers that come in filaments to form the final physical objects.
Selective Laser Sintering (SLS). In SLS 3D printing, a laser selectively sinters the particles of a polymer powder, fusing them together and building a part, layer by layer.
Multi Jet Fusion (MJF). As HP’s proprietary 3D printing technology, MJF can consistently and quickly deliver parts with high tensile strength, fine feature resolution, and well-defined mechanical properties
In metal forming, metal is shaped into a desired form by applying force through mechanical or thermal methods. The process can be either hot or cold, depending on the metal and the desired shape. Parts created with metal forming typically feature good strength and durability. Also, there is typically less material waste created than with other forms of manufacturing.
Forging. Metal is heated, then shaped by applying compressive force to it.
Extrusion. Metal is forced through a die to create a desired shape or profile.
Drawing. Metal is pulled through a die to create a desired shape or profile.
Bending. Metal is bent to a desired shape via an applied force.
Casting is a manufacturing process in which a liquid material, such as metal, plastic, or ceramic, is poured into a mold and allowed to solidify into a desired shape. It is used to create parts that feature high degrees of accuracy and repeatability. Casting is also a cost-effective choice in large-batch production.
Injection molding. A manufacturing process used to produce parts by injecting molten material – often plastic – into a mold. The material is then cooled and solidified, and the finished part is ejected from the mold.
Die casting. In die casting, molten metal is forced into a mold cavity under high pressure. Die casting is used to produce complex shapes with high accuracy and repeatability.
Design for manufacturing or manufacturability (DFM) refers to an engineering method of creating a part or tool with a design-first focus, enabling a final product that is more effective and cheaper to produce. Hubs’ automatic DFM analysis enables engineers and designers to create, iterate, simplify, and optimize parts before they are made, making the entire manufacturing process more efficient. By designing parts that are easier to manufacture, production time and costs can be reduced, as can the risk of error and defects in final parts.
Minimize components. Typically, the fewer components a part has, the lower the assembly time, risk or error, and overall cost.
Availability. Parts that can be manufactured with available production methods and equipment – and that feature relatively simple designs – are easier and cheaper to produce.
Materials and components. Parts that use standard materials and components can help reduce costs, simplify supply chain management, and ensure that replacement parts are easily available.
Part orientation. Consider the orientation of the part during production. This can help minimize the need for supports or other additional features that can increase overall production time and cost.
Avoid undercuts. Undercuts are features that prevent a part from being easily removed from a mold or fixture. Avoiding undercuts can help reduce production time and costs, and improve the overall quality of a final part.
Striking a balance between quality and cost is key in manufacturing parts meant for production. Here are several cost-related factors to consider:
Materials. The cost of raw materials used in the manufacturing process depends on the type of material used, its availability, and the quantity required.
Tooling. Including cost of machinery, molds, and other specialized tools used in the manufacturing process.
Production volume. In general, the greater the volume of parts you produce, the lower the cost per part. This is especially true of injection molding, which offers significant economies of scale for larger order volumes.
Lead times. Parts produced quickly for time-sensitive projects often incur a higher cost than those with longer lead times.
Get an instant quote to compare pricing and lead times for your production parts.
To create a part meant for production, upload a CAD file to receive a free quote and comprehensive DFM analysis.
You can learn more about manufacturing parts for production on our Knowledge Base, or contact sales@hubs.com for personalized advice about your project.
Parts for production are most commonly created with subtractive manufacturing, additive manufacturing, metal forming, and casting.
The benefits of subtractive manufacturing include accuracy, precision, and a wide range of material options. It also allows engineers to work with materials at low temperatures, reducing the risk of loss of mechanical strength in parts.
The benefits of casting include the ability to create complex parts that feature high accuracy and repeatability. It is also a cost-effective solution for large-batch production.
The benefits of metal forming include the ability to create parts that are high in strength and durability. It is also a cost-effective choice for large-batch production.
The benefits of additive manufacturing include the ability to create complex geometries and customized parts quickly and efficiently.
Manufacturing parts for production requires investment in equipment and materials, however, there are ways to reduce your costs, such as using Hubs’ DFM analysis to optimize your design for cost-efficient production. Keep in mind that for many manufacturing methods, such as injection molding, the cost per part declines as the order volume increases.
You can lower the costs of manufacturing parts for production by optimizing manufacturing processes, reducing waste, streamlining supply chain and logistics, and using efficient technologies.
Passivation is a chemical process used to enhance the corrosion resistance and durability of a metal. Find out how it works and when it’s a worthwhile addition to your custom parts.
Read articleLearn about the differences between Type II and Type III anodizing, their benefits, typical applications, and how to choose the ideal surface finish for your part.
Read articleWant to learn more about die casting? In this article, we’ll take a look at the process, its history and current uses, advantages, design guidelines, and more.
Read articleIn this article, we’ll take a look at several of the technologies and materials used to manufacture parts for production, their benefits, things to consider, and more.
Read articleWant to learn more about black oxide coating? In this article, we’ll take a look at black oxide as a surface finish, its history, common applications, and more
Read articleWant to learn more about chemically resistant parts? Find out about common chemical-resistant materials, their advantages, disadvantages, and industrial applications.
Read articlePolylactic acid, also known as PLA, is a thermoplastic material commonly used in additive manufacturing. It is one of the most commonly used materials in 3D printing, and can be used to create a wide range of parts, packaging, and prototypes for the medical, food, cosmetics, and textile industries, among others.
Read articleWhat is Delrin and why is it unique among the many manufacturing materials available? Delrin, or POM-H (homopolymer acetal), is used in CNC machining, 3D printing and injection molding to create durable, precise components. This article explores Delrin’s properties and how to get the most out of the material.
Read articleHow do you add logos, lettering, serial numbers and other customized designs to your custom parts? Part marking is a cost-effective way to give parts those extra identifying and/or cosmetic details. Learn the common part marking techniques on the market today, including laser engraving and silk screening.
Read articleWhat is powder coating and in what cases should you select it as a finish for CNC-machined metal parts? This article covers the details of the powder coating process, as well as when to choose it for the best performance and quality.
Read articleWhat’s the best material for machining your parts? Check out this side-by-side comparison of the strength, price and application for CNC plastics and metals (in a handy, printable poster).
Read articleWhat is anodizing? Anodizing is key to finishing parts made from aluminum and other metals. Learn how anodizing works and why it is an important part of CNC machining and manufacturing.
Read articlePassivation is a chemical process used to enhance the corrosion resistance and durability of a metal. Find out how it works and when it’s a worthwhile addition to your custom parts.
Read articleLearn about the differences between Type II and Type III anodizing, their benefits, typical applications, and how to choose the ideal surface finish for your part.
Read articleWant to learn more about die casting? In this article, we’ll take a look at the process, its history and current uses, advantages, design guidelines, and more.
Read articleIn this article, we’ll take a look at several of the technologies and materials used to manufacture parts for production, their benefits, things to consider, and more.
Read articleWant to learn more about black oxide coating? In this article, we’ll take a look at black oxide as a surface finish, its history, common applications, and more
Read articleWant to learn more about chemically resistant parts? Find out about common chemical-resistant materials, their advantages, disadvantages, and industrial applications.
Read articlePolylactic acid, also known as PLA, is a thermoplastic material commonly used in additive manufacturing. It is one of the most commonly used materials in 3D printing, and can be used to create a wide range of parts, packaging, and prototypes for the medical, food, cosmetics, and textile industries, among others.
Read articleWhat is Delrin and why is it unique among the many manufacturing materials available? Delrin, or POM-H (homopolymer acetal), is used in CNC machining, 3D printing and injection molding to create durable, precise components. This article explores Delrin’s properties and how to get the most out of the material.
Read articleHow do you add logos, lettering, serial numbers and other customized designs to your custom parts? Part marking is a cost-effective way to give parts those extra identifying and/or cosmetic details. Learn the common part marking techniques on the market today, including laser engraving and silk screening.
Read articleWhat is powder coating and in what cases should you select it as a finish for CNC-machined metal parts? This article covers the details of the powder coating process, as well as when to choose it for the best performance and quality.
Read articleWhat’s the best material for machining your parts? Check out this side-by-side comparison of the strength, price and application for CNC plastics and metals (in a handy, printable poster).
Read articleWhat is anodizing? Anodizing is key to finishing parts made from aluminum and other metals. Learn how anodizing works and why it is an important part of CNC machining and manufacturing.
Read articleShow more
Show less