Stay ahead with technical guides, industry trends, and manufacturing best practices written by our engineering team. Valuable insights for engineers, procurement specialists, and OEMs seeking precision metal parts solutions.

How to vet a Chinese metal parts manufacturer before ordering

Sourcing metal parts from China can save 30 to 50 percent on unit cost, or cost you six months of delay and a container of scrap. This guide covers five...

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How to calculate landed cost for imported metal parts

Landed cost is the total cost of getting a finished part from the supplier's dock to your warehouse, including unit price, freight, customs duty, insurance,...

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Metal parts PPAP submission checklist for buyers

Metal parts PPAP submission checklist for buyers When you source custom metal parts from a supplier in China or anywhere overseas, you need proof that the...

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When to choose MIM over CNC machining for small metal parts

When to choose MIM over CNC machining for small metal parts I have spent enough time in quoting meetings to know that the question "should we MIM this or...

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How to Reduce Features That Force 5 Axis Machining

A part that needs a 5-axis cycle can cost two to four times more than the same geometry split across simpler 3-axis operations. Learn how to reduce features...

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How to reduce lead time in custom metal parts procurement

Most custom metal parts arrive late because of slow decisions, not slow machines. Send a clean drawing, use stock material where you can, plan PPAP early,...

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