Engineers are hungry for knowledge about the latest technologies and are always looking to improve their skills. When companies, who are often experts in their fields, dedicate time and resources to sharing their knowledge, they are providing an incredible service to the engineering community, and at the same time building meaningful relationships and creating awareness for their work.

Unfortunately, these resources are often hard to find. In a series of blog posts, we will highlight companies that provide valuable knowledge to understand the state of the art of technology and we’re starting with the field of manufacturing. Some of these companies have already started leveraging Wevolver to provide their content to engineers beyond their existing following. However, we’ve looked at the industry as a whole to give you the most complete list.

Leading Blogs that Explore Digital Manufacturing 

For engineers interested in learning more about this field, we have identified ten great blogs from companies that specialise in a host of manufacturing technologies. 

1: 3D Hubs 

Established in 2013, 3D Hubs is a global leader in digital manufacturing, having produced parts for companies like NASA, ABB, and Audi. The 3D Hubs platform allows engineers to upload their custom designs, generate quotes, and begin production at the click of a button. 

Under its "Resources' section, the 3D Hubs platform provides information on cutting-edge digital manufacturing technologies such as 3D printing, computer numerical control (CNC) machining, injection moulding, and sheet metal fabrication. Engineers can learn about specific processes through informative videos, webinars, and articles covering company-specific news, industry trends, and more. Additionally, 3D Hubs provides several engineering guides (e-Books), offering useful tips for engineers looking to start a career in the field of digital manufacturing. 

2: Fictiv

Fictiv is a leading provider of on-demand digital manufacturing solutions including CNC machining, injection moulding, 3D printing, and urethane casting. Its list of clients includes NASA, IDEO, Panavision, Intuitive, Velodyne, and Ford. The company has its headquarters in San Francisco, US, as well as a distribution network in Guangzhou, China.

Under its "resources" section, Fictiv shares its wealth of knowledge via a blog offering engineering, company, and business information. The engineering blogs are "how-to" articles that contain sound technical advice and best-practice recommendations from Fictiv's team of design experts. Moreover, the business and company blogs explore current industry trends in design, manufacturing, and supply chain, as well as company-specific information for clients using the Fictiv platform.

3: Protolabs 

Protolabs provides rapid prototyping and on-demand manufacturing services, including CNC machining, injection moulding, 3D printing, and sheet metal fabrication to clients in several industries through 12 manufacturing facilities spread across the United States, Europe, and Japan. Notable Protolabs clients include Lockheed Martin, HP, Epson, and MIT.

Readers can find an in-depth blog under the "Resources" section of the company's website that covers various aspects of digital manufacturing including technical tips from Protolabs experts, manufacturing best practices, articles to learn more on the subject of materials science, industry news, and more. It also offers supply chain blogs highlighting the challenges of supplying 3D printed parts and the state of the industry.

4: Star Rapid 

Star Rapid provides digital manufacturing services including rapid prototyping, rapid tooling, production, injection moulding, CNC machining, vacuum casting, pressure die casting, and 3D printing. Star Rapid targets diverse industries, including medical, electronics, consumer products, and agriculture. It has produced parts for leading companies such as Nedap, Gate, Visionflex, and Biorep Technologies.

The company hosts a blog on its website that shares its wealth of knowledge on manufacturing and development with the engineering and tech communities. Key topics explored in the blog include rapid prototyping, 3D printing, rapid tooling, and low-volume production. Through several detailed articles, Star Rapid's editorial team simplifies difficult concepts and provides designing tips, new methodologies, and industry news to readers with varying levels of experience.

5: Sculpteo 
Sculpteo offers professional 3D printing services to businesses for manufacturing a wide range of 3D parts. Customers create their designs in CAD software, and Sculpteo's industrial 3D printers create prototypes and end-products and ship them to their locations from factories in the U.S. and France. Sculpteo has produced 3D printed parts for industry majors, including Autodesk, Bombardier, CNES, and Withings.

Sculpteo's website blog covers technical articles, free downloadable resources, and industry trends on additive manufacturing topics. The information on the blog is suitable for professionals (e.g., engineers and industrial designers) and hobbyists alike. The blog explores developing trends in 3D printing and design as well as tutorials and 3D software reviews/recommendations.

6: Xometry 

Xometry provides additive manufacturing solutions, e.g., CNC machining, plastic 3D printing, urethane casting, injection moulding, and sheet metal fabrication via an extensive network of partners across the U.S., Europe, and Asia. The company produces 3D parts for a wide range of industries, including aerospace, automotive, medical, and supply chain. Some notable clients include BMW, General Electric, NASA, Dell Technologies, and Bosch.

Under the "Resources" section of its website, Xometry runs “The First Shift Blog” offering in-depth information on additive manufacturing, machining, case studies, manufacturability tips, explainer videos, news, and more. Design engineers using the Xometry platform can also find information regarding product updates in this section.

7: Rapid Direct 

Rapid Direct is a China-based manufacturer providing CNC machining, sheet metal fabrication, 3D printing, and injection moulding capabilities with engineering support. The company offers the full range of digital manufacturing services from prototype to production, covering ID/MD design, prototyping, structural optimisation, and mass production. Top clients that have utilised their services include NASA, HP, BMW, and Toyota.

Rapid Direct's blog contains informational articles, tips, and guides for learning more about the additive manufacturing industry in China. The blog explores some recurring and complex challenges facing design, rapid prototyping and production. Other information includes best practices, industry trends, and company news relevant to professionals and hobbyists that use the Rapid Direct Platform.

8: Shapeways 

Shapeways provides 3D printing services for various materials, including metals and plastics. As a full-service platform, Shapeways offers support for every phase of design, production, and scaling. Its clients can upload novel designs, make modifications, and create prototypes, as well as refine existing product models. Shapeways has served Fortune 500 clients such as Google, Disney, and Target.

Shapeways Blog is a resource section on its website, providing industry news on 3D printing. Here, engineers can learn more about existing and emerging applications for 3D printing, 3D printing materials, and additive manufacturing technologies. It also offers company-specific information to readers using its services.

9: Materialise 

Materialise is a Belgian company that provides software and 3D printing solutions with a thriving software developer community and one of the most extensive 3D printing facilities in the world. Materialise produces 3D printed parts of varying complexities for a host of industries such as arts/design, medical, automotive, and consumer goods. The company's manufacturing segment offers rapid prototyping, additive manufacturing, design/engineering, and consultancy/training.

The Materialise website runs a blog that offers informational articles on 3D manufacturing, medical, and software efforts in the industry. The Materialise blog offers sound content on 3D printing materials, applications (industrial, consumer, and healthcare), software, manufacturing tips, and industry trends.

10: Treatstock

Treatstock is a digital manufacturing platform that provides online tools for CNC machining and 3D printing. Other manufacturing services offered include injection moulding, laser cutting, and 3D scanning. Treatstock allows its clients to upload CAD files and render custom designs on its platform as well as outsource their projects to vetted designers and manufacturers.

Tretstock’s online tools are utilised by top clients such as Autodesk, All3DP, Onshape, and Thingiverse, and 3DPrint.com. The Treatstock Blog provides the latest news and information concerning additive manufacturing, including 3D printing applications, challenges and limitations of 3D print technology, industry trends, high-tech events, etc.

Wevolver: Knowledge for Engineers

At Wevolver, we believe in the positive impact technology can make, and we want to help engineers innovate by providing access to knowledge. Fortunately, nowadays, technology companies are starting to realise the value of sharing information with their customers and users. As we mentioned in the introduction, these company blogs are often hard to find. 

Though as a publishing platform for technology developers, we have seen thousands of companies, we might have missed some that you think could provide sound knowledge for engineers and should be on this list or the Wevolver platform. Let us know!