A composite is a heterogeneous mixture of two or more distinct materials brought together to overcome the individual limitations of each material and make a stronger product overall. The final properties of the composite ultimately depend on the physical and chemical properties of the ma

By Izzy de la Guardia, Application Engineer, Fast Radius While the global pandemic has revealed many vulnerabilities in our supply chain, it has also bred innovation. In particular, 3D printing has enabled professionals and hobbyists alike to channel their fears into action with unprecede

Bridge tooling, sometimes called rapid tooling, is the process of quickly fabricating the tools needed for production so that manufacturers can jumpstart production even before the final tools are ready. Permanent production tooling needs to stand up to repeated use, which is typicall

In our latest Fast Minute video, we share how you can use generative design to optimize the shape of your 3D-printed parts. Transcript: Generative design is the latest buzzword in engineering, but it’s more than just a fad. Let’s get into what generative design is and how it w

Urethane casting is a versatile manufacturing process that consistently yields flexible or rigid plastic parts at production-level quality, but without the expenses associated with injection molding. For this reason, urethane casting tends to have two primary uses: prototyping and low-vo

Mold flow analysis refers to the process of using software to simulate an injection molding production cycle. Using the physical characteristics of a specific manufacturing material, the software is able to predict how the mold will be filled during the injection process. Mold flow an

In the world of manufacturing, “complex geometries” refers to parts with three-dimensional designs with features such as undercuts, hollow spaces, or intricate internal structures. Complex geometries can mirror rounder, more organic structures, which historically has made them extremely

“Rapid prototyping” (RP) refers to the quick fabrication of physical products using Computer Aided Design (CAD) during the design phase of the product life cycle. It can be used throughout the design process, from concept creation to final testing. Effective rapid prototyping helps engin

Choosing a material is one of the most important decisions an engineer or product designer can make. The material of a part will have a direct impact on its mechanical and chemical properties. For example, using a blend of acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) and polycarbonate (PC) will

Countries around the world will eventually transition from COVID-19 response to recovery, but the effects of this outbreak are immediately felt and likely long-lasting. Beyond the economic impacts, the planet is experiencing rapid short-term changes, such as a reduction in global greenho

By John Nanry, Co-founder and General Manager, Fast Radius Manufacturing leaders are wrestling with the urgency of the current emergency situation. We’re experiencing a volatility in supply and demand that none of us have seen in our lifetimes, and the COVID-19 pandemic will continue to a

After a metal part has been created, it’s common practice to treat the exterior with a finish to meet visual or performance requirements. Finishing processes can provide a number of benefits, from increased part durability and tarnish resistance to higher electrical resistance or torque

When designing a part, it’s important to understand critical differences between comparable materials. For instance, mistakenly using a thermoplastic instead of a thermoset to create a product that’s meant to withstand high temperatures would have disastrous results.  The terms “

Surface finishing is the final step of CNC machining. Finishing can be used to remove aesthetic flaws, improve a product’s appearance, provide additional strength and resistance, adjust electrical conductivity, and much more. With all of the surface finishing options available, how ca

There are a number of benefits to manufacturing parts using injection molding services, principal among them the ability to create high-volume production runs with high degrees of accuracy and precision. However, given that there are more than 85,000 different types of plastic injection

The manufacturing of parts often requires a mold that can be filled with the casting material. These molds are created with a master pattern, which is essentially a replica of the final product — though usually slightly larger than the intended size of the final object to account for a c

Tooling, or machine tooling, is the backbone of every manufacturing and molding process. Tooling refers to building the different types of components and machinery needed for production, like molds, jigs, and fixtures. Effective tooling ensures that manufactured products function properl

This mask is designed to be printed on a filament extrusion, personal-grade 3D printer. From this page, you can download a package containing an STL file and information about the mask, including how we made and assembled it. This mask itself is not a filter. There is a place in the m

Advances in digital design Digital design and simulation tools have changed the way engineers and designers work. Over the last several decades, these tools have become faster and more feature-rich as computational power has become cheaper and more accessible. Large problems that ran

We take holidays seriously here at Fast Radius. We’re also committed to our mission to make new things possible.  This December we embarked on a mission to bring our festive spirit and additive manufacturing expertise together to create our take on a holiday classic: the nutcracker.