Does colored titanium fade?
Designing precision titanium parts often requires balancing strength with aesthetics, but anodizing introduces variables that affect fit and function. With extensive experience anodizing titanium for medical, aerospace, and high-performance applications, small process details determine design success. Yes, titanium can be anodized for precision parts. The anodic oxide layer adds only 0.0001–0.0005 mm thickness, achieves durable […]
Is Inconel Right for Your Part Design?
Designing with Inconel often leads to costly surprises if you don’t understand its unique machining challenges. With over 15 years machining experience across aerospace and medical applications, we’ve seen designs that looked perfect but failed due to Inconel’s demanding requirements. Inconel is right for your part if you need temperatures above 1200°F, exceptional corrosion resistance, […]
Is bronze stronger than steel?
Choosing between bronze and steel isn’t just about raw strength numbers — it’s about understanding where each material excels in real-world applications. With years of machining experience across aerospace, medical, and industrial components, we’ve seen how the right material choice can dramatically impact both performance and cost. No, bronze is not stronger than steel. Most […]
What is special about surgical steel?
https://okdor.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/surgical-steel.mp4 Hey there! If you’ve ever wondered about the superhero of the steel world that stands strong in the face of corrosion and wear, let me introduce you to surgical steel. This blog post is all about the wonders of this material and its pivotal role in custom part manufacturing. So, buckle up as we […]
Heat-Resistant Plastics: Applications, Types, and Selection Guide
Choosing heat-resistant plastics for CNC components means balancing temperature limits with cost and machinability. With decades of experience machining high-temp plastics for aerospace and automotive applications, small material decisions dramatically impact both performance and production efficiency. Answer Section: Heat-resistant plastics range from 135°C (PC) to 400°C (PI). PEEK (250°C), PTFE (260°C), and PEI (200°C) offer […]
How Do I Choose the Right Steel for My CNC Part?
Steel selection affects both part performance and machining cost. With years of experience machining components for aerospace and medical applications, small material choices can dramatically impact your project’s success and budget. Start with 1018 carbon steel for general brackets and housings, upgrade to 4140 for high-strength applications, or choose 304/316 stainless when corrosion resistance is […]
Which Stainless Steel Is Right for My Project?
Choosing the right stainless steel grade for your CNC project isn’t just about corrosion resistance—it’s about balancing performance, cost, and manufacturability without derailing your timeline or budget. After machining thousands of stainless steel parts across aerospace, medical, and industrial applications, we’ve seen how the wrong grade selection can double part costs or create unexpected production […]
When Corrosion-Resistant Metals Make Your Part Worse?
Corrosion-resistant metals aren’t always better for CNC parts. After machining thousands of stainless, titanium, and aluminum components, expensive alloys often create more problems than they solve. Corrosion-resistant metals make parts worse when you over-spec for the environment (316L in mild conditions), choose soft alloys for load-bearing applications (316L for bearings), or select materials that gall […]
How To Choose Self-Lubricated Plastics for My Design?
Selecting self-lubricated plastics requires balancing performance, cost, and manufacturability. With 15+ years machining precision components across aerospace, medical, and audio sectors, material choice directly impacts both part reliability and production costs. Choose self-lubricated plastics based on motion type, operating temperature, mating materials, and load conditions. PTFE-filled grades work best for dry running against steel, while […]
Can UHMW Replace Delrin in My Design?
You’ve designed a part for Delrin, but material costs are climbing or your supplier is having availability issues. With years of experience machining both materials for precision prototypes and production runs, we’ve seen many engineers successfully make this switch – but only when they understand the critical performance and manufacturing trade-offs. UHMW can replace Delrin […]
