CNC Machining Guide
Processes, materials, tolerances and cost for milled and turned parts.
Pillar guide · ~11 min read
Resources
DFM Manufacturing: Design for Manufacturing Hub
Design for Manufacturing (DFM) is the practice of designing parts for consistent, economical production. This hub collects SR's DFM guides, checklists and process comparisons for engineers, procurement managers.
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What this DFM manufacturing hub covers
This hub is a working library for DFM manufacturing: how to choose a process, set tolerances that match function, and run a design review before tooling or production release. It is written for engineers, procurement managers and founders sourcing custom parts, with automotive examples first.
Sheet Metal Fabrication Guide
Cutting, bending and welding sheet metal, with design rules and cost drivers.
Pillar guide · ~11 min read
Metal Stamping Guide
Progressive, transfer and deep-draw stamping, and when volume makes it pay off.
Pillar guide · ~11 min read
Glossary
Plain definitions for process, material and tolerance terms.
Terms · abbreviations
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Start here: recommended DFM pages
If you are new to DFM manufacturing, read these pages in order. Each one answers a question buyers ask before releasing a design for quotation.
CNC Machining Guide
Processes, materials, tolerances and cost for milled and turned parts.
Sheet Metal Fabrication Guide
Cutting, bending and welding sheet metal, with design rules and cost drivers.
Metal Stamping Guide
Progressive, transfer and deep-draw stamping, and when volume makes it pay off.
Aluminum Extrusion Guide
Extrusion profiles, cutting, machining and finishing for frames and housings.
Design for Manufacturing (DFM) Guide
Design choices that lower machining, forming and assembly cost before the first quote.
Buyer's Guide: Sourcing Custom Parts
How to write an RFQ, compare suppliers and manage an order from prototype to production.
Die Casting Guide
High-pressure die casting in aluminum and zinc: tooling, porosity and secondary machining.
Investment Casting Guide
Lost-wax casting for complex steel and stainless shapes near net size.
Forging Guide
Open and closed die forging, grain flow, and when forging beats casting or machining.
Metal Injection Molding (MIM) Guide
Metal injection molding for small, complex steel parts in higher volumes.
PCB & Electronics Manufacturing Guide
PCB assembly and electronics manufacturing, and what to include in a build package.
Metal Finishing Guide
Anodizing, plating, powder coat and heat treatment, with the specs that affect fit.
Materials Selection Guide
Choosing alloys and plastics by strength, weight, machinability and cost.
What Is Die Casting?
The basics of die casting, the alloys used and typical part types.
What Is Sheet Metal Fabrication? Process Steps
The steps from flat pattern to finished bent part, in order.
What Is 80/20 T-Slot Aluminum Extrusion? Series and Sizes
Series and sizes of T-slot aluminum extrusion and when to use each.
What Is CNC Machining? Processes, Materials, Applications
What CNC machining is, the main processes and the materials it cuts.
What Is Metal Stamping? Progressive vs Transfer Dies
Progressive and transfer dies compared, and the parts each one suits.
What Is Investment Casting?
What investment casting is and the parts it makes well.
What Is Roll Forming?
How continuous roll forming shapes long profiles from coil.
PCB Assembly Process Step by Step (SMT & Through-Hole)
SMT and through-hole assembly, step by step.
How Aluminum Extrusions Are Made
From billet to die to cut length: how aluminum extrusions are made.
How to Connect 80/20 Aluminum Extrusions
Fasteners and brackets for joining T-slot aluminum extrusions.
What Is Steelwork? Types and Uses
Common steel types, forms and uses in fabricated and machined parts.
What Is Metal Injection Molding (MIM)?
What metal injection molding is and the part sizes it suits.
What Is Heat Treatment? Annealing, Hardening, Tempering
Annealing, hardening and tempering, and how each changes part properties.
Not sure which guide applies?
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Tools and downloads
Browse DFM manufacturing topics
Topics are grouped by the decision you are making. Start with the group that matches your current design stage.
Keep reading
DFM tools and downloads
Use these tools alongside the guides. They are written to be filled in during design development, not after drawings are released.
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Send drawings, material, tolerances and volume. SR collects quotes from a vetted supplier network and manages quality and inspection through delivery.
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