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MFG-01
Manufacturing Process Index

How products get made.

Manufacturing processes transform raw materials into functional parts, assemblies, and finished products. Explore subtractive, formative, casting, fabrication, cutting, joining, and additive production methods used throughout modern industry.

V-01 Material Compatibility Match the process to material behavior.
V-02 Production Volume Balance tooling against quantity.
V-03 Dimensional Requirements Consider tolerance and surface finish.
V-04 Part Complexity Evaluate geometry and feature access.
01 / Process Directory

Core manufacturing processes.

Individual manufacturing methods differ in tooling, material compatibility, achievable geometry, dimensional control, cycle time, and production economics. Use this index to move directly into each production method.

P-01 CNC Machining Subtractive Metal / Plastic → P-02 Injection Molding Molding Thermoplastics → P-03 Die Casting Casting Nonferrous Metal → P-04 Metal Stamping Forming Sheet Metal → P-05 Laser Cutting Thermal Cutting Metal / Polymer → P-06 Waterjet Cutting Abrasive Cutting Multi-Material → P-07 Sheet Metal Fabrication Fabrication Sheet Metal → P-08 Plastic Fabrication Fabrication Plastic → P-09 Extrusion Continuous Forming Metal / Plastic → P-10 Forging Forming Metal → P-11 Welding & Fabrication Joining Metal → P-12 3D Printing Additive Multi-Material →
02 / Process Families

Different methods solve different production problems.

Manufacturing processes can be grouped by how they remove, shape, join, deposit, or transform material. Understanding these families helps narrow the process-selection decision before individual suppliers are considered.

FAM-01

Subtractive Manufacturing

Material is removed from a solid workpiece through machining, milling, turning, drilling, grinding, or related methods.

CNC Machining → FAM-02

Molding

Material is introduced into a mold cavity and formed into a repeatable geometry, commonly for plastic component production.

Injection Molding → FAM-03

Casting

Molten material is introduced into a mold or die and solidifies into a near-net-shape component.

Die Casting → FAM-04

Forming

Material is plastically deformed rather than removed, allowing sheet, bar, or billet material to take a new geometry.

Metal Stamping → FAM-05

Fabrication & Joining

Separate materials or components are cut, formed, assembled, and joined to create finished structures and assemblies.

Welding & Fabrication → FAM-06

Additive Manufacturing

Components are produced by depositing material layer by layer directly from digital geometry.

3D Printing →
03 / Process Selection

What determines the right process?

Process selection is usually a compromise between technical requirements and production economics. The same component may be manufacturable using several methods, but not every method will be appropriate at the required quantity or tolerance.

01 Material Material strength, melting temperature, machinability, ductility, thermal behavior, and chemical resistance can eliminate or favor specific production methods.
02 Quantity Processes with expensive tooling may become economical at higher production volumes, while machining and additive manufacturing can be practical for smaller runs.
03 Geometry Internal cavities, deep features, thin walls, undercuts, long profiles, and complex surfaces may favor one manufacturing method over another.
04 Tolerance Dimensional accuracy and repeatability vary significantly between machining, molding, casting, forming, fabrication, and additive methods.
05 Surface Finish Some methods create finished surfaces directly, while others commonly require machining, polishing, grinding, coating, or other secondary work.
06 Tooling Cost Mold, die, fixture, programming, and setup requirements influence the economics of both initial production and future design changes.
04 / General Comparison

Production characteristics by process.

These general relationships provide a starting point for research. Actual capabilities depend on material, equipment, supplier expertise, component geometry, tolerances, tooling, and production requirements.

Process Typical Materials Prototype Use Volume Production Tooling Requirement
CNC Machining Metals / Plastics Strong Low–Medium Low
Injection Molding Thermoplastics Limited High High
Die Casting Nonferrous Metals Limited High High
Metal Stamping Sheet Metals Moderate High Medium–High
Laser Cutting Metals / Polymers Strong Medium Low
3D Printing Polymer / Metal / Resin Strong Low–Medium Very Low
05 / Continue Research

Process selection does not happen in isolation.

Material selection, supplier capability, industrial equipment, production volume, and sourcing strategy all influence how a manufacturing process performs in a real production environment.

Material Research

Manufacturing Materials

Compare metals, plastics, rubber, ceramics, and composites used across modern production methods.

Production Systems

Industrial Equipment

Explore machinery, automation, material handling, fluid control, heating, and production systems.

Procurement

Supplier Sourcing

Research supplier qualification, contract manufacturing, RFQs, and production outsourcing strategy.

Process Principle

The best manufacturing process is not simply the one capable of making the part. It is the process that satisfies geometry, material, quality, quantity, and cost together.