Small Gages in Metal Parts Sourcing - Metal Cutting Corporation

Properties and Applications of Tungsten Wire

While the most familiar use of tungsten (incandescent light bulbs) continues to fade, the unique range of properties continue to make tungsten wire irreplaceable for a number of products and applications.

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How to Overcome Material Surface Imperfections [Video]

Any surface will have flaws under the right magnification. In this video we explain the inherent challenges with blanket requests and how to overcome them.

Precision CNC Metal Machining

Learn about the advantages of precision CNC machining in the manufacture of small, complex parts requiring tight tolerances, smooth finishes, and repeatability.

Machining vs. Cutting Metal Tube for Applications with Precision Metal Components

Metal Cutting’s methods for cutting metal tubing, such as thin wall steel tubing for medical devices, are unique compared with machining and laser metal cutting.

Swiss CNC Metal Machining of Medical Electrodes Made from MP35N®

Learn why precision CNC Swiss machining is used in the production of medical electrodes made from MP35N® for electrical signal delivery devices.

Precision Metal Cutting for 2-Axis Cutoff

Different precision metal cutting options vary in characteristics and appropriate applications, making the choice not quite so easy. This guide will help.

The Myths of Plastic vs Metal Tubing for Medical Devices [VIDEO]

Thousands of resin compounds have been developed to expand the design options for tubing in medical devices. Yet, there are number of myths. Learn why plastic may not be a better choice to metal tubing in medical applications.

Quality Control in the Manufacture of Metal Parts

Learn the vital components of an effective quality control program and its role in ensuring that metal parts meet their requirements for design and function.

Tungsten Uses Then and Now

In comparing common tungsten uses in and today, it is clear that tungsten remains one of the most widely used and beneficial of the refractory metals.

Swiss Machining of Custom Bushings for Medical Devices

Custom bushings that are Swiss machined for use in catheters and other medical devices allow the devices to function at a high RPM while resisting wear.

Swiss Small Parts Machining of Bone Screws and Anchors

Precision CNC Swiss machining is often used to produce bone screws and anchors with the features needed for a wide range of orthopedic and dental applications.

What Is Calibration Tolerance?

The key to calibration tolerance is understanding both what a device is capable of doing and the tolerance to which the device has been calibrated.

Minimizing the Effects of Heat on the Measurement of Metal Parts [VIDEO]

Learn why manufacturers, designers, and engineers need to keep metal expansion from heat in mind when they create part specifications and decide how precise the part’s dimensions need to be.

Precision Metal Grinding

Precision metal grinding is often the best way to remove small amounts of material and achieve the right finish or tight tolerance dimensions on part surfaces.

Optimizing for Manufacturability in Small Parts Sourcing

Learn how to optimize for manufacturability through a unified approach to product design and the creation of a thorough and detailed request for quote (RFQ).

4 Critical Steps to Overcoming Material Surface Imperfections

Specifying the magnification level and details of how a material surface must be examined helps to ensure that parts will pass inspection and meet your needs.

Quality Control in the Manufacture of Metal Parts [VIDEO]

Learn the vital components of an effective quality control program and its role in ensuring metal parts meet their requirements for design and function.

Deflection and Precision in Swiss Metal CNC Machining

Learn how the guide bushing and other features of modern CNC Swiss screw machines eliminate deflection to improve efficiency, consistency, and accuracy.

Automatic Lathe Cutting Pros & Cons

While an automatic lathe can do simple 2-axis cutoff of metal rods and tubes, it is designed for more complex, multi-step machining operations.

Swiss CNC Metal Machining of Pull Rings for Medical Devices

Pull rings for medical devices can be cut from 304 grade stainless steel tube or Swiss machined to provide specialty features and use other materials.

The Allure of Laser Cutting [VIDEO]

How does laser cutting compare with other precision metal cutting methods? Watch this video to learn some of the pros and cons of this metal cutting method.

Tungsten vs Gold: The Battle of the Biomaterials

For some medical device applications requiring biomaterials, tungsten and gold-plated tungsten wire may be suitable alternatives to precious metals such as gold.

The Sampling Plan In Quality Control [VIDEO]

As important as inspections are, 100% inspection requires time and cost without a guarantee of 100% compliance. See what a sampling plan is and how it solves this challenge.

Profile of a Line vs. Profile of a Surface

With profile of a line vs. profile of a surface, the former controls variation at specified cross sections while the latter controls the entire feature surface.

5 Things You Need to Know About OD/ID Concentricity

To avoid the challenges of verifying OD/ID concentricity, try to use other applicable GD&T symbols in place of concentricity in tubing drawings and designs.

Small Parts Machining in Today’s Swiss Machine Shop

The Swiss machine has evolved and improved since the original Swiss lathe was invented, making the modern method an important part of precision CNC machining.

How to Avoid Last-Minute Surface Finish Issues [VIDEO]

Surface finish requirements are just some of the details critical to completing an RFQ that will help you optimize for manufacturability.

Your Tight Tolerance Could be Seriously Affecting Part Cost [VIDEO]

It may be tempting to assume that a very tight tolerance should be your default choice. But, when they aren’t essential, it could increase your costs needlessly.

9 Tips for Avoiding Last-Minute Surface Finish Issues

Surface finish requirements are among the details that are critical to creating a complete RFQ that will help to optimize for manufacturability.

Top 5 Challenges in CNC Metal Machining [VIDEO]

While CNC machining can produce an array of complex, precision metal components, there are some challenges to the process you need to be aware of.

Flatness Tolerance in GD&T

Surface flatness is an indicator of all points along a surface lying in the same plane, with the highest and lowest points within the flatness tolerance range.

Steps to Ensuring Your Measured Results are In Spec [VIDEO]

Unfortunately, consistent results aren’t always guaranteed. Learn what you can do to ensure calibrated measuring yields accurate results.

Fascinating Facts About Eddy Current Testing [VIDEO]

Eddy current testing is an important method of nondestructive testing. See what you may not have known about the process.

Secrets to Choosing a New Contract Partner [VIDEO]

How do you qualify a new sourcing partner and ensure an efficient and problem free experience? Considering these points will help you make a decision you can feel confident about.

RFQ Tips That Will Help You Get Exactly What You Need [VIDEO]

With these RFQ tips, you can not only speed up the quote process, but also ensure you get the part you want and a cost estimate that is as accurate as possible.

Specialized Methods of Internal Grinding

High precision internal grinding methods such as ID grinding and honing are used to achieve smooth finishes and tight tolerances on bore, hole, and tube IDs.

Fundamentals of Double Disk Grinding

Double disk grinding provides dimensional accuracy for metal part applications that require tight tolerances, parallelism, flatness, and thickness control.

Applications for Precision Flat Lapping Services

Precision flat lapping and other lapping techniques can be used for small parts requiring tight control of surface finish, flatness, thickness, and parallelism.

The Complexities of Electrochemical Grinding

The electrochemical grinding process is a highly specialized method that combines surface grinding, chemistry, and fixturing, and has limited applications.

Fundamentals of OD Grinding

OD grinding is used to shape the external surface of objects between the centers and excels at removing circular defects and restoring or creating roundness.

Interesting Facts You Should Know About Tungsten [VIDEO]

Over time, we’ve developed a special appreciation for tungsten and what it can do. Learn some interesting facts you may not have known.

Fundamentals of Centerless Grinding [VIDEO]

The centerless grinding process is ideal for finishing small cylindrical metal parts that require a tight tolerance and high-volume production. Learn some of the fundamentals of this process.

What is lapping? [VIDEO]

What is lapping? In the right hands, this little-known process can produce parts with highly polished ends, tight length tolerances, and extraordinary flatness.

Electrochemical Cutting Pros & Cons

Electrochemical cutting (ECC) combines electrochemical erosion and grinding to produce a burr-free, shiny surface to a tight tolerance of ±0.005” (0.127 mm).

Cold Sawing Pros & Cons

Cold sawing can do high-speed, burr-free cutoff of rods, tubes, and extrusions, but it is not ideal for very short lengths, smalls ODs/IDs, or hard metals.

Access Your Free Guide to Swiss Screw FAQs

Do you know which cutting method is right for your precision application?

A Guide to Outsourcing Medical Machining

It’s critical to choose a supplier you can envision working with for the long haul. Review these practical guidelines to make the right decision.

Download Your Free Guide to Resistance Welding Electrodes

Resistance Welding Electrode Materials: A White Paper

Learn how better materials for resistance welding electrodes speed up your welding operation. This white paper is designed to help you make a successful electrode materials choice.

Metal Tubing in the 21st Century: Who Needs it?

Metal tubing continues to play a critical role in medical device manufacturing, but with the array of available plastic materials it can be hard to determine which material is the right one.

Abrasive Cutting Pros & Cons

Thin-wheel abrasive cutting is an ideal method for high-volume 2-axis metal cutoff that requires precision, tight tolerances, no burrs, and a smooth end finish.

Waterjet Cutting Pros & Cons

Waterjet cutting is typically used to cut complex shapes from large, flat sheets of metal but may not be the best choice for 2-axis cutoff of small parts.

Seven Secrets to Choosing A New Contract Partner

Finding a supplier who can deliver quality and on-time service can be tough, especially when it comes to the medical device and other heavily regulated industries. This guide makes it simple.

Copper Tungsten Alloy: The Top of Mind Electrode Material for EDMing Carbides

For intricate geometries, sharp corners, unparalleled wear resistance, excellent cutting speeds and machinability, copper tungsten is the material of choice.

Tungsten vs Gold: Choosing a Biomedical Alternative

Learn how tungsten as an alternative to precious metals can help you achieve uncompromising quality and still keep your budget on track.

Tungsten Wire 101: Overview of a Uniquely Useful Material

Tungsten wire continues to be a product that has a large number of diverse applications, for many of which there is no known substitute. Find out why tungsten remains widely used.

Better Together: Non Defective Bonding of Resistance Spot Welding Electrodes

Proper electrode design and construction is essential to ensuring consistent weld quality, minimum electrode sticking, and maximum electrode life. Learn how electrode design can impact your prod line.

Find out how to optimize your RFQs for manufacturing success

Facts About Laser Printing of Metal

Laser printing of metal is popular for a number of applications, but can you‭ ‬use it for printing of metal for‭ ‬such large quantities of such small parts?

Wire EDM Cutting Pros and Cons

Wire EDM cutting advantages and disadvantages for 2-axis cutoff depend on factors including the material used, part parameters, and surface finish requirements.

Variables That Affect the Eddy Current Testing Procedure

With the eddy current testing ‬procedure, there are a number of variables that ‬have an effect on ECT, what it can find,‭ ‬and ‬what it cannot find.

5 Fascinating Facts About Eddy Current Testing

Eddy current testing is an important method of nondestructive testing that is often used to inspect for flaws in the surface or sub-surface of metal materials.

NIST Traceable Standards in Action

Learn some interesting facts about NIST traceable standards and their important role in QMS standards.

Metal Cutting Corporation Approved for ISO : Standards

Learn more about Metal Cutting’s certification in the ISO : standards and commitment to quality management practices.

Happy Birthday to Metal Cutting Corporation!

Celebrating 50 Years of Precision Manufacturing: Metal Cutting Corporation is genuinely thrilled to say we have just passed a significant milestone in our company history.

The Quandaries of Calibration Standards

Calibration standards for devices and equipment used in measuring, inspecting, and manufacturing of precision metal parts can pose some unique challenges.

Circular Runout vs. Total Runout

In circular runout vs. total runout, the first controls variation in circular features of a part while the other controls variation in the entire part surface. Learn the difference and how to measure them here.

Measuring the Perpendicularity of Small Metal Parts

When measuring the perpendicularity of small metal parts, consider the effects of a part’s diameter, length, straightness, and manufacturing method.

A Comparison of Honing and Lapping

While honing and lapping are both used to fine-tune the finish and dimensions of metal parts, the two processes differ in where and how they achieve results.

Cylindricity in GD&T

GD&T cylindricity is a three-dimensional tolerance feature used to indicate both roundness and straightness along the entire axial length of a cylindrical part.

The Sampling Plan in Quality Control

A statistically valid sampling plan in quality control provides a high level of confidence that if the sample is acceptable, the entire lot is acceptable.

GD&T Tolerances in Parts Manufacturing

GD&T tolerances provide manufacturing guidance that must balance the need to make a part functional with the need to produce the part cost-effectively.

Circularity Tolerance in Small Metal Parts

Circularity tolerance based on diameter helps to control roundness and ensure that small precision metal parts fit properly, move smoothly, and wear evenly.

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Principles of Precision Surface Grinding Services

Surface grinding services utilize precision surface grinding methods to make cubic metal parts square and parallel or the ends of metal rods perpendicular.

Specialty Metals for Medical Device Applications

The creation of new specialty metals offers alternatives to stainless steel for components used in medical device applications.

Why Use a Surface Finish Chart?

A metal surface finish chart is a handy guide to standard surface finishes and characteristics such as measurement units, conversions, and typical Ra values.

8 Things to Know About ISO

Adherence to ISO standards by an organization tells customers that it is committed to implementing structured quality management practices.

Deburring in Mass Production of Small Metal Parts

For deburring of small metal parts, mass production requires the action of hand tools to be re-created by mechanical devices suited to high-volume applications.

Metal Finishing to Prevent Corrosion of Precision Parts

Find out if metal passivation is the right finishing option for your precision small metal parts or other application.

Barriers to Lights Out Operation in High Precision Machining

While automation plays a growing role in precision machining, lights out operation is still more a fantasy than a reality for most small part manufacturing.

Transitioning to Small Parts Machining in CNC Metal Cutting

Get an expert machinist’s perspective on how CNC metal cutting has evolved in the age of tight tolerance, micro-machining of small parts.

Top 5 Challenges in CNC Metal Machining Explained

Learn about the five major challenges to consider when choosing CNC machining services and a partner for the manufacture of complex and precise small parts.

The Technology of Autonomous Vehicles

Take a closer look at the technology behind autonomous vehicles and the implications both on the road and off.

8 Principles of Precision Centerless Grinding

Learn more about the principles of centerless grinding and how it can be used to achieve tight tolerance surface finishes on small cylindrical metal parts.

6 Things to Know About Titanium Tube

Learn why the characteristics of titanium tube make it a good choice for medical devices and other applications that require strength, light weight, and corrosion resistance.

Dimensional Issues in Metal Cut to Length

Metal Cutting utilizes lapping and machining as well as other techniques to achieve flatness vs. parallelism for metal cut to length.

The Human Factor in Metal Inspection

Metal Cutting Corporation uses visual and mechanical methods of metal inspection to help ensure that small parts meet customers’ manufacturing requirements.

5 Things to Consider When Heat Treating Metal

Consider the methods used for heat treating metals, as well as the effects, when specifying your requirements for the cut-off of small metal parts.

Heat Expansion of Metals and the Summertime Blues

Utilizing a controlled environment helps to minimize the effects of heat expansion and other temperature issues on the measurement of metal parts.

Small Gages in Metal Parts Sourcing

Small gages such as pin gages or pin plug gages are useful tools for inspecting IDs and making sure small diameter metal tubing meets specified tolerances.

Does Metal Cutting Do Metal Fabrication?

People often ask Metal Cutting Corporation if we do “metal fabrication” — and the truth is, the answer depends on how you define the term.

Choosing a Vendor for Cut Off Metal Parts

Follow these tips on how to choose a vendor for cut off metal parts and get the results you want for your precision manufacturing needs.

Did You Know Metal Cutting Is a Cut Off Company?

Our name might not give it away, but precision cut off of tight tolerance, small metal parts is at the core of our business. 

6 Reasons Why Your Plastic Medical Tubing Might Not Cut It

Learn some common myths about plastic and reasons why it may not be a better choice than metal tubing for medical device applications.

Polishing Metal Parts for 3D Printed Medical Devices

When polishing metal parts for 3D printed medical devices, the goal is to achieve the proper surface finishes while maintaining the device’s complex design details.

Tungsten Wire Refuses to Die in Automotive Lighting

Incandescent bulbs made with tungsten wire filaments continue to be used in automobile turn signals despite the parallel adoption of newer LED technology.

Precision Metal Tubing for Automotive Safety Systems

Precision metal tubing plays an important role in the airbags that are part of automotive safety systems.

The Manufacture and Tooling of Metal Parts for Fuel Injection Systems

Learn about the important role of machining and tooling in the manufacture of metal parts for today’s fuel injection systems.

The Role of Precision Tubing in Liquid Dispensing Systems: Part 3 of 3

See which tubing characteristics matter in high-pressure applications for liquid dispensing systems.

The Role of Precision Tubing in Liquid Dispensing Systems: Part 2 of 3

The characteristics of the precision tubing used in liquid dispensing systems can significantly affect the fluid dispensing process and testing accuracy.

The Role of Precision Tubing in Liquid Dispensing Systems: Part 1

Precision tubing plays a vital role in helping to ensure the accuracy of liquid dispensing systems used in many biotechnology and laboratory environments.

Utilizing a Vacuum Atmosphere in Electronic Device Manufacturing

The process of creating a vacuum atmosphere, either repeatedly or in one-time production, is an important part of electronic component manufacturing.

Sealing the Package: Potting and the Flat Ribbon in Switches and Relays

Learn how potting can be used to create a tightly sealed package for electronic switching devices, such as the flat ribbon in semiconductors.

Problems with the Glass to Metal Seal in Electronics

Learn how to prevent and detect surface flaws in the glass to metal seals used in the manufacture of a wide range of electronic products.

Metal Cutting Service Is Getting Faster

Learn how Metal Cutting Corporation is enhancing operations and speeding delivery on standard metal cutting services.

Where a Metal Probe Probes for the Perfect Material

Learn why a small diameter metal probe requires choosing a material that is strong enough to maintain the probe’s shape, straightness, and direction.

The Cure for Some Common Electrode Bonding Problems

Learn how the right electrode material, design, and construction can help to prevent bonding problems in resistance spot welding electrodes.

A Recipe for Perfect Electrode Infiltration

Learn why infiltration, density, and other properties of an alloy such as copper tungsten are important to  the quality of spot welding electrodes.

Choosing the Right Material for Spot Welding Electrodes

Explore the advantages of pure tungsten and pure molybdenum as alternative materials for use in spot welding electrodes.

Resistance Spot Welding Is Still Spot On

Take a look at how resistance spot welding compares with laser, ultrasonic, and other newer welding methods.

Top Applications for Gold-Plated Tungsten Wire

Gold-plated tungsten wire is useful in filtration, printing, copying, and other applications, and as an alternative to precious metals in some medical devices.

A Closer Look at Utilizing Tungsten Wire for Probes

The straightness properties of tungsten wire make it valuable for small diameter tungsten probes used in semiconductor wafer testing and neural activity testing.

Utilizing Tungsten Wire in Applications for General Industry

With its unique properties, tungsten wire is used in a wide range of industry applications, from tungsten filament wire bulbs to tungsten thermocouples.

Utilizing Tungsten Wire in Medical Device Applications

The properties of tungsten wire are valued in the medical device industry, for use in electrocautery, electrosurgery, neural probes, and other applications.

How to Utilize Tungsten in an Automotive Application

Learn the advantages of copper tungsten electrodes for resistance spot welding of wire harnesses in battery electric vehicles (BEVs).

The Inside Dope on Dopants and Wire Recrystallization

Dopants raise the recrystallization temperature of tungsten wire and other wires, giving non-sag properties to tungsten light bulb filaments and other products.

5 Interesting Facts About Tungsten

Tungsten, also known as wolfram or volfram, has a high melting point and other interesting properties that are useful in many industries and products.

How Do Tolerances Really Stack Up?

When designing a part, remember that different tolerances may require different processes, and not all processes can produce results to the same tolerance.

How to Avoid the Issues of Non-Standard Material Size

In material sourcing for the production of precision parts, avoiding non-standard material sizes can help to control costs and optimize for manufacturability.

5 Things You Should Be Including in Your Request for Cutting Quote

There are 5 key areas that should never be left blank when filling out your request for cutting quote. Do you know what they are?

A Complete Guide to the Cutting Quote That Will Totally Change Your Pricing

A fully complete RFQ tells a story about the buyer, the company, and the end product and its use — information we can use to provide the right quote (and the right price).

A Case Study in Precision Cutoff vs. Stamping

Learn how precision cut off and stamping compare in achieving distortion-free flatness, a sharp edge, and the precise exterior diameter needed for a spacing ring.

7 Steps to Ensuring Your Measured Results Are In Spec

Learn 7 simple rules to help ensure that calibrated measuring yields accurate and consistent results for your small parts manufacturing.

Small Diameter Tubing: How to Pick The Best ID Inspection Method

For measuring and inspecting the ID of small parts tubing, pin gages or optical measurement systems help ensure that small tubing will meet specifications.

How Multiple Tolerances Can Create Conflict

When a single part has multiple tolerances that conflict, the tighter, more challenging tolerance must guide production and ultimately drives the part’s cost.

Avoiding the Risks of Standard to Metric Tolerance Chart Conversion

With a metric tolerance chart, you need to account for the upper and lower tolerance spec limits when converting between standard and metric measurements.

Your Tight Tolerance Could Be Seriously Affecting Part Cost

Learn about the role that tight tolerance plays in optimizing for manufacturability, and how to specify tolerances to ensure part quality and control costs.

Key Parameters for Choosing a 2-Axis Precision Cutting Method

Learn the key parameters for choosing a method of 2-axis precision cut off of metal parts based on part type, material type, and part dimensions.

The Allure of Laser Cutting

While laser cutting can produce a small kerf and tight tolerances, other precision cutting methods may be preferable for 2-axis cutoff of small metal parts.

Metal Shearing Process Pros & Cons

The metal shearing process can be quick and inexpensive for cutting some simply shaped parts, but it has disadvantages including burrs and end deformation.

Resistance Welding Electrodes for Your Application

Get answers to common questions about dissimilar metals regarding high and low conductivity electrodes and friction stir in the construction of an electrode.

Electrode Properties in Resistance Spot Welding: Why They Matter

Choosing the right resistance spot welding electrode for an application depends on understanding critical properties of the different electrode materials.

Resistance Spot Welding Electrodes: Understanding the Variables

Learn about the variables to consider when choosing the best resistance welding electrode material for specific resistance spot welding applications.

Choosing the Right Resistance Welding Electrodes for Hybrid Vehicle Battery Packs

When choosing a resistance welding electrode for any application, a thorough understanding of material properties helps to avoid production line issues.

Optimizing the Life of Resistance Welding Electrodes

Learn how best practices as well as material and design considerations have an impact on the life and effectiveness of resistance spot welding electrodes.

The Right Electrode Material for Your Resistance Welding Application

Learn why resistance welding electrodes require a material with the right combination of thermal conduction, electrical resistivity, and reactivity.

12 Industry Trends Shaping Contract Manufacturing: Additive Machining

Learn how additive manufacturing (AM) — one of today’s fastest growing technological innovations — is changing the face of contract manufacturing everywhere.

12 Industry Trends That Are Shaping Contract Manufacturing: Part 3

Industry Trend No. 3: Rising labor costs overseas are one factor in the move away from outsourcing and toward reshoring of some businesses and factories.

12 Industry Trends That Are Shaping Contract Manufacturing: Part 2

Industry Trend No. 2: Manufacturing globalization and regionalization provide opportunities for partnership, innovation, competitive advantage, and growth.

12 Industry Trends That Are Shaping Contract Manufacturing: Part 1

Industry Trend No. 1: Increased exporting and global trade has a positive impact on revenue, growth, and competitiveness, while expanding a manufacturer’s customer base.

Why Copper Tungsten? | Manufacturability

Learn how the properties of copper tungsten reduce or eliminate the challenges posed by those materials when they are used in their pure forms.

Why Copper Tungsten? | EDM Performance

For EDM electrodes, copper tungsten offers excellent electrical conductivity, DC arcing resistance, thermal conductivity, and wear resistance.

Improved Wear Resistance with Copper Tungsten Electrodes

Copper tungsten electrodes combine the thermal resistivity of tungsten with copper’s resistance to DC arcing, making them a smart choice for EDM of carbides.

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