Guide / Awareness
From Idea to Physical Object — How Design & Fabrication Works
You have an idea. You don't have CAD skills, a printer, or a workshop. That's the entire reason design and fabrication services exist — to take a concept all the way to a finished part you can hold.
01 / CAD & Design
What is CAD & design?
CAD — computer-aided design — is the process of turning a concept into a precise 3D file that a machine can build. We take whatever you have (a sketch, a verbal description, a competitor's product, a hand-drawn diagram) and translate it into parametric, manufacturable geometry.
The output is an STL or STEP file ready for printing, machining, or further development. You don't need to know any software — you just need to know what the part has to do.
02 / Fabrication
What is fabrication?
Fabrication is the full pipeline: design, print, finish, and deliver — handled as a single project. Where a basic print service starts from your existing file, fabrication starts from your idea and ends with a part in your hand.
It's the right choice when the design itself is the unknown, when the project needs iteration, or when you want one partner accountable for the whole result.
03 / Who uses this
Five people who walk through our door
Product designers prototyping
Iterating physical proof-of-concept models before committing to tooling.
Engineers needing functional parts
Brackets, housings, jigs, and end-use components that need to survive real loads.
Artists & creators
You have the idea, the reference, the sketch — we translate it into a printable file.
Businesses needing custom tooling
Production jigs, fixtures, and assembly aids built around your existing workflow.
Architects needing scale models
Massing models, presentation pieces, and detailed competition entries.
04 / Process
Our process
01
Brief
We capture intent, constraints, environment, and budget. Sketches and reference photos welcome.
02
Concept
Initial direction, geometry options, and material recommendation — before any heavy CAD work begins.
03
Design
Parametric CAD in Fusion, SolidWorks, or Rhino. You receive STEP files and renders for sign-off.
04
Prototype
A first physical print to validate fit, function, and finish. Revisions are normal and expected.
05
Production
Final run in the approved material and finish. Delivered ready to use.
05 / Capability
What's possible
Materials
Commodity to engineering polymers — PLA, PETG, ABS, ASA, TPU, PA-CF, PC.
Tolerances
±0.2mm typical on FDM. Tighter tolerances available with post-machining.
Finishes
As-printed, sanded, primed, painted, vapour-smoothed, or assembled to spec.
Sizes
From thumbnail-scale detail parts to single-piece prints over a metre long via LFAM.
06 / FAQ
Common questions
I don't have a CAD file — can you still help?
Yes. Most of our design briefs start as a sketch, a photo, or a verbal description. The design service exists precisely for this case.
What's the difference between design and fabrication?
Design produces a printable file. Fabrication is the end-to-end service: design, print, finish, and deliver as one project.
Do I own the CAD files you create?
Yes. Once the project is paid in full you receive the STEP and source files and full commercial rights.
How long does a typical design project take?
Simple parts: 3–5 business days from brief to first prototype. Multi-part assemblies: 2–4 weeks depending on revision cycles.
Need something designed?
Start with a brief. We'll turn your concept into a printable, manufacturable CAD file.
Design serviceNeed end-to-end fabrication?
Concept to finished part, handled as one project. One brief, one quote, one delivery.
Fabrication service