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A stack of shiny, metallic steel tubes, with varying sizes visible in cross-section, neatly organized in a warehouse setting, illuminated by soft light and showing signs of die casting defects.

Stainless Steel Types: How Is it Stainless?

Intro Understanding the differences between different metal options is the first step in picking the right metal for your upcoming project. A part made out of stainless steel supposedly prevents stains and rust, but is this true? This guide will explain how stainless steel can…

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Large rolls of cold rolled steel coils in a spacious industrial warehouse with a brightly colored floor and an overhead crane.

Cold Rolled Steel vs Hot Rolled Steel: What Is the Difference?

Intro Navigating the world of fabrication and manufacturing can be complex, with the choice of materials significantly impacting the performance and longevity of your parts. Among all of the options on the market, hot rolled and cold rolled steel are two of the most commonly…

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Close-up of a large, shiny Delrin coil in a factory setting, showing intricate texture and reflective surface, indicative of industrial processing.

Galvanneal vs Galvanized Steel

Intro A lot of parts’ success depends on what material is used for the part. Making a car engine out of plastic? Not the best idea. Even within the world of metals, there are so many options to pick between. In this quick guide, we’ll…

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A CNC machine in operation, milling a white Delrin part with a precision drill bit, surrounded by metal clamps and shavings, under cool blue lighting.

Delrin Is a Great Prototyping Option 

Intro A lot of people strictly use metal or 3D-printed plastic for their prototypes, but they’re completely overlooking a very strong contender: Delrin. Delrin is one of the best plastics to make machined prototypes out of, and we’re going to tell you why. This beginner…

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Close-up view of stacked 7075 aluminum profiles with intricate shapes, focusing on their detailed cross-section in a warehouse setting.

6061 vs 7075 Aluminum: Which Is Better?

If you aren’t sure what the difference between 6061 and 7075 aluminum is, you came to the right place. Picking the wrong alloy out of these two might mean that your project can’t physically be machined. In this guide, we’ll explain why that’s the case…

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What is PAA + BR127 Primer?

Intro When you design a manufactured part, the priorities are often to make it long-lasting, strong, and prepared for outdoor use. This has led to a whole host of different finishing steps and material selections to achieve the perfect characteristics. One of the finishing options…

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The Different Types of Steel and Why They Matter

Intro If you’re in the market for a fabricated part that uses steel, there are a few things you need to understand. For starters, there are different types of steels, and they’re very different from one another. In this guide, we’ll explain the different types…

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All About Metal Finishes

Intro The finish of your part can completely change its function, aesthetics, and feasibility. There are even OSHA and federal requirements that might force you to use a certain finish. In other cases, a finish can help your part be more durable and reduce your…

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Rapid Axis

All About Aluminum: Grades, Uses, and Qualities

Intro As an engineer, you probably understand how important material selection is. Our team noticed that there’s a lot of confusion when it comes to aluminum alloys. In this guide, we’ll put together a quick cheat sheet to tell you all about aluminum — we’ll…

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Rapid Axis

What Is Anodizing (and Should You Choose it)?

Intro There are a number of different manufacturing methods and steps that are used by any fabricator. As you’re designing a part, you want to make sure you get the most out of your design. For many, that means turning to anodization.  If you’re not…

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