3D printing & engineering services

3D printing, design, reverse engineering & prototyping.

Professional 3D printing and practical engineering support from an initial problem or concept through design, finite element analysis (FEA), prototyping and repeat production.

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Capabilities

Professional 3D printing
Reverse engineering
CAD & product design
Finite Element Analysis (FEA)
Rapid prototyping
Design for additive manufacturing
Replacement / obsolete parts
Batch manufacturing

Reverse engineering

Recreate a part when the drawing no longer exists.

Where a suitable original component is available, we can measure and recreate the geometry as a new CAD model. This is useful for broken, obsolete, discontinued, difficult-to-source or expensive-to-replace parts.

The replacement does not need to be a blind copy. If the original design has a known weakness, fit issue or manufacturing limitation, we can assess whether a sensible modification can be incorporated.

CAD & product design

Turn sketches, dimensions and ideas into manufacturable geometry.

We develop 3D CAD models around the intended function of the part, rather than simply creating a shape that looks right on screen.

Material, clearances, wall thickness, loading direction, assembly and manufacturing process are considered as part of the design.

Finite Element Analysis (FEA)

Assess how a design is likely to respond to load before manufacture.

Where appropriate, finite element analysis can be used to assess stress, deformation and load paths within a design. This helps identify highly stressed areas and supports decisions around geometry, wall thickness, material and reinforcement before a part is manufactured.

FEA is carried out using defined loading, restraint and material assumptions, with the results used as engineering design support and to guide practical design improvements.

3D printing & rapid prototyping

Turn the design into a physical, functional part.

Our 3D printing service is used for prototypes, one-off functional components and custom parts. A physical print makes it possible to check dimensions, fit, ergonomics, interfaces and real-world function before settling on the final design.

Iterations can be made quickly, with changes fed directly back into the CAD model before final manufacture.

Batch 3D printing

Repeat production without conventional tooling costs.

3D printing is well suited to specialist parts, replacement components and batch production where mould tooling or conventional production methods would be difficult to justify.

Once a design has been proven, repeat batches can be 3D printed consistently as required.

Design for additive manufacturing

Design around the process instead of fighting it.

Part strength, orientation, layer direction, geometry, wall thickness and material all influence how a component performs. Designs are developed with the manufacturing process in mind from the outset.

Material is selected according to the intended use, environment and required characteristics rather than simply by colour or appearance.

Replacement & obsolete parts

When the useful product outlives one small component.

A broken bracket, spacer, cover, clip or interface can make an otherwise serviceable product unusable. Where technically appropriate, a new component can often be designed to keep the original equipment working.

Send photographs and approximate dimensions first. If the project looks viable, we can advise what is needed next.

Getting started

You do not need a finished CAD file.

A useful first enquiry is simply enough information for us to understand the problem and the scale of the part.

Send the basics

Photographs, rough dimensions, a sketch or an existing CAD file. If available, the existing part can also be supplied for assessment — even if it is broken, damaged or worn.

We review it

We assess whether the project is practical and identify what further information is required.

Design & prototype

The geometry is developed and, where useful, a prototype is produced for fit and function checks.

Final manufacture

The agreed part is 3D printed or otherwise manufactured as a one-off or in the quantity required.

Project enquiry

Have a part, problem or idea to discuss?

Send what you have. We can usually tell from a few photographs and dimensions whether it is worth taking the next step.

Discuss your project