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When finishing is underspecified, the factory decides. This guide covers 10 industrial metal finishing processes, anodizing, electroplating, passivation, and more, with standards, thickness ranges, and a 12-process comparison table.

MIG and TIG welding serve different needs - and specifying the wrong process when ordering custom fabricated parts has direct cost and quality consequences. This guide breaks down the core differences: how each process works, which is stronger, which materials demand which method, and what the cost premium for TIG welding actually looks like in practice.

Discover how raw metal transforms into high-precision, functional parts through cutting, bending, welding, and finishing, a complete step-by-step guide to the metal fabrication process.

Automotive CNC machining covers engine blocks to EV battery enclosures. This guide breaks down tolerances, materials, IATF 16949 requirements and how to source parts from verified Chinese factories.

Learn how custom manufacturing creates precision, high-tolerance products using advanced methods like CNC machining and 3D printing—plus when industries choose it over mass production.

Not all small metal parts are made the same way. See which process delivers precision, speed, or scalability.

Xometry isn't your only option. We compared 7 manufacturing platforms, pricing models, supplier networks, NDA protection, using data from each company's own site.

China’s CNC machining industry sets the global benchmark for precision and efficiency. Explore the top 10 factories of 2025. Each verified, certified, and trusted by leading OEMs worldwide.

From same-day prototypes to 40-day production runs — plan your CNC milling schedule with accurate lead times across every stage of the process.