Technical Blog
Read guidance on DfAM, qualification evidence, inspection planning, alloy selection, and bridge production strategy.
2026-09-18
After wasting $23,000 on the wrong manufacturing process for automotive components, I built a decision framework. Here's how to choose between CNC machining, stamping, and aluminum extrusions based on your actual volume, geometry, and timeline.
Read article →2026-09-16
A quality manager's account of rejecting forged steel flanges, aluminum forgings, and brass CNC turned parts—and the one supplier who got it right by admitting what they couldn't do.
Read article →2026-09-16
Buying Velo3D isn't a cutting upgrade—it's an aerospace-tier capital purchase. Here's what to verify, what gets left out of the pitch deck, and when outsourcing beats owning.
Read article →2026-09-16
A procurement manager's account of evaluating metal additive manufacturing systems for an aerospace program, and why the cheapest quote turned out to be the most expensive decision waiting to happen.
Read article →2026-09-16
A quality compliance manager's argument for honest limitations in metal additive manufacturing: where Velo3D fits, where it doesn't, and why the SpaceX/Anduril supplier signal isn't a shortcut.
Read article →2026-09-16
An admin buyer's checklist for vetting a Velo3D Sapphire metal 3D printer, XFAB laser welder, CNC machining Winnipeg, and the separate medical question of does CO2 laser help with under eye bags.
Read article →2026-09-16
An office administrator explains why small prototype orders deserve serious service. What Velo3D, SpaceX and Anduril supplier relationships taught her about process discipline — and why Hugo's laser tube cutting shop proves it.
Read article →2026-09-16
A transparent buyer comparison of the Velo3D Sapphire metal 3D printer and CNC machining for aerospace, covering geometry, qualification, cost, fabrication lasers, and CO2 laser search confusion.
Read article →2026-09-09
Searching for an additive vs subtractive manufacturing diagram won't tell you which process to buy. A cost controller explains when a Velo3D Sapphire 3D printer beats CNC, when a 150608 DNMG carbide insert still wins, and how to make the call.
Read article →2026-09-08
A manufacturing engineer compares the Velo3D Sapphire metal 3D printer with conventional CNC machining after nine years and $187K of documented mistakes—covering design freedom, cost, lead time, quality, and when each route wins.
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