From our floor to your CAD file.
Practical notes on CNC machining, tolerances, materials and DFM. Written by the engineers who cut the parts.
August 2026
8 articlesAluminum vs Stainless Steel for CNC Machining: Which Material Is Right for You
Aluminum vs stainless steel for CNC machining: a high-level guide to properties, machinability, and pricing to help you choose the right material for your part.
Jared Haw · 21 Aug 2026 What Are Realistic CNC Tolerances for Most Suppliers?
Most CNC suppliers default to ISO 2768 medium, roughly ±0.1mm to ±0.3mm. A breakdown of the standard, what shops actually hold, and what tighter tolerances cost.
Jared Haw · 19 Aug 2026 DFM For a Prototype: What Actually Matters?
How much DFM a prototype needs depends on whether the design is frozen. What to verify at proof of concept, EVT, DVT, and PVT.
Jared Haw · 13 Aug 2026 Prototype Machine Shop vs Mass Production Machine Shop
A prototype machine shop and a mass production machine shop differ in setup, machines, secondary processes, engineering support, and how they price parts.
Jared Haw · 12 Aug 2026 Do CNC Parts Need an MOQ?
What is an MOQ for CNC parts and should the MOQ always be one or are there reasons for it to be higher?
Jared Haw · 11 Aug 2026 3D Printed Carbon Fiber Molds: Which Process Actually Works
A comparison of SLA, SLS, and FDM/FFF for 3D printed carbon fiber molds, covering surface finish, resin choice, and where each process works best.
Jared Haw · 6 Aug 2026 Common Finishes for CNC Machined Aluminum 6061
A guide to the most common aluminum 6061 finishes used in CNC machining, including anodizing, bead blasting, chromate conversion, and more.
Jared Haw · 5 Aug 2026 Aluminum 6061 vs 7075: Which Material to Use for CNC Machined Parts
Aluminum 6061 vs 7075 for CNC machined parts: strength, machinability, price differences, and when to use each alloy
Jared Haw · 4 Aug 2026 July 2026
14 articlesOpusFab Instant Manufacturing Quote App Now Available for iPhone
OpusFab's instant manufacturing quote app is now available for iPhone, bringing instant quotes, DFM feedback, and part status tracking to mobile.
Jared Haw · 30 Jul 2026 What the New US Ban on Foreign-Made Humanoid Robots Means for American Hardware Companies
The FCC just banned new Chinese humanoid robots and power inverters from the US market. Here's what changed and what US robotics companies can do about it.
Jared Haw · 29 Jul 2026 Two Types of Instant Quote Manufacturing: Marketplaces vs Vertically Integrated
Instant quote manufacturing marketplaces do not own machines. Vertically integrated manufacturers do. Compare cost, lead time, quality and process range.
Jared Haw · 28 Jul 2026 Does an Instant Manufacturing Quote Actually Speed Up Development Timelines?
Manufacturing quote turnaround shapes every project milestone. See how an instant manufacturing quote changes the RFQ process, and where it still falls short.
Jared Haw · 23 Jul 2026 The Prototype Playbook: What It Actually Takes to Get From Prototype to Production
A breakdown of what it actually takes to go from prototype to production: the four numbers every product team should know, the EVT/DVT/PVT validation stages, common prototyping methods, and why DFM looks different at the prototype stage.
Jared Haw · 22 Jul 2026 CNC Machining vs. 3D Printing: When to Use Each for Prototypes
CNC machining vs. 3D printing for prototypes: learn how each process works, when to use each one, and the key differences in cost, speed, tolerances, and materials.
Jared Haw · 21 Jul 2026 Breaking Down CNC Parts Lead Time
CNC parts lead time depends on material procurement, programming, order volume, finishing, secondary processes, quality control, and shipping. Here is what each step adds to the timeline.
Jared Haw · 15 Jul 2026 Traditional RFQ vs Instant Quote: What Actually Changes Between the Two Processes
Traditional RFQ vs instant quote, a look at the traditional RFQ process and instant quoting, using the same part and assembly data, to see where the time actually goes and where instant quoting still falls short.
Jared Haw · 14 Jul 2026 Why Kickstarters Struggle to Go from Prototype to Production
Kickstarter to production involves real cost and manufacturing risks that most campaigns underestimate. This post covers what founders should plan for.
Jared Haw · 9 Jul 2026 Why Slow Manufacturing Quotes Delay Your Launch Schedule
A slow quote doesn't cost you just days. It cascades through your entire build schedule, costing weeks of lost time and launch delays.
Jared Haw · 8 Jul 2026 How Long Does a Product Quote Take, From Start to Finish?
How long does it really take to quote a product? A breakdown of RFQ, redesigns, DFM, and re-quoting for a 100-part assembly.
Jared Haw · 7 Jul 2026 Why Your CNC Quote Takes 3 Days
You send an email to a supplier. Then you wait. The delay happens because of everything that has to occur between your email and a part quote.
Jared Haw · 7 Jul 2026 The Hidden Costs of Re-Quoting Every Design Change
Design changes are constant. The real cost isn't the change itself, it's the quote. Every re-quote resets the clock, and slow quoting quietly adds weeks to your timeline.
Jared Haw · 2 Jul 2026 Design for Manufacturability (DFM): The Complete Overview
Design for Manufacturability explained: what changes between prototype and production stages, the rules for each process, and when DFM rules can be ignored.
Jared Haw · 1 Jul 2026 June 2026
3 articlesEVT vs. DVT vs. PVT: A Guide to Product Validation Builds
EVT, DVT, and PVT are the three validation stages every product goes through before it reaches full production. Understanding what each stage demands helps you move faster, avoid costly mistakes, and get to market on schedule.
Jared Haw · 25 Jun 2026 Where Are Your CNC Parts Actually Made? Why Country of Origin Transparency Matters
Many CNC quoting platforms will not tell you where your parts are machined. OpusFab manufactures in our own facility in China. Here is why we are upfront about it, and why it matters for your supply chain.
Jared Haw · 22 Jun 2026 Minimum Radius and Wall Thickness: The Two CNC Design Rules That Kill Most Parts
Sharp internal corners and paper-thin walls are the top reasons CNC parts fail in production. Learn the physics behind these limits, how to design around them, and how OpusFab's DFM checks catch them before you waste a machining cycle.
Jeremy Bogan · 4 Jun 2026 May 2026
2 articlesMachining Tolerance vs. Final Tolerance: The Most Expensive Mistake in Manufacturing
Learn the critical difference between machining tolerance and final tolerance. See how finishes like anodizing, powder coating, and plating affect dimensions-and how OpusFab's instant CNC quote prevents costly scrapped parts.
Jeremy Bogan · 31 May 2026 Why Traditional CNC Quoting Is Broken (and What Engineers Should Do Instead)
Tired of waiting days for a CNC quote? Discover how direct CNC manufacturing with instant quoting gets you from CAD file to machined parts in days, not weeks.
Jeremy Bogan · 15 May 2026 Put the theory to work on a real part.
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