The automotive industry combines requirements rarely found together elsewhere: high production volumes, tight tolerances, a wide variety of materials, and constant cost pressure. But behind the high-speed assembly lines lies an equally important reality: one-off parts, prototypes, and custom components that never follow a production-run logic.
It's a question we hear often: when manufacturing a cylindrical part, is it better to go with CNC turning or 3D printing? The answer depends on several factors — the required material, tolerances, production volume, and available budget. Here's how to make the right choice.
Industrial 3D printing has evolved considerably in recent years.
But not all 3D printing companies are created equal. Here's what to consider before choosing a partner for your projects.
“We need stainless” — but which one? That generic term hides dozens of grades with very different properties: corrosion resistance, machinability, mechanical strength, cost.
“Why does this part cost $40 from one supplier and $65 from another, for the same drawing?” This is a question we're asked often. The answer is rarely a single variable — the price of a machined part is the sum of several factors, some of which aren't visible on the technical drawing.
Aluminum is probably the most widely machined material in the world after steel. Lightweight, easy to machine, corrosion-resistant — it checks nearly every box.
Machining lead time is one of the most misunderstood topics in the client-shop relationship. It's often perceived as an arbitrary variable — a number the supplier states based on their workload or goodwill.
In the aerospace industry, there is no margin for error. An out-of-tolerance part means a line stoppage — or worse.
This isn't just a saying. It's the daily reality of aerospace production teams.









