CAD design for 3D printing
3D Design in Nottingham
Our designers turn your drawing, sketch, photos or broken part into an accurate 3D model, and you see exactly how it will look before anything is printed.
- Free, no-obligation quotes
- CAD from drawings or photos
- One-offs to small batches
- Parts sent across the UK
Design first
3D Printing and Design Service
Getting the design right is the most important part of any 3D print. Our CAD (computer-aided design) software lets us build an accurate 3D model of your part before it is printed, so problems can be spotted and fixed early.
You can see exactly what the finished part will look like, and small changes can be made at this stage so that it comes out the way you want.
We don’t use 3D scanners. Drawing the file ourselves has proved more accurate and more cost-effective for our customers.
The design process
How We Design Your Part
Your input matters most at the start. Or you can leave it to us.
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Share your idea
A drawing, a sketch, photos from several angles next to a ruler, or the part itself.
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We model it in CAD
Our designers draw the part with accurate dimensions, drawing on experience of many varied projects.
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You review it
We send you the model and make any changes you need. Nothing is printed until you approve it.
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We print it
The approved file goes to print in the material we have agreed with you.
What we design
3D Design for Every Kind of Project
New products and inventions
Bring us a new idea and we will turn it into a 3D model you can print, test and show to others.
Replacements and repairs
We recreate broken or obsolete parts in CAD, and can often improve on the original design.
Engineering and machinery parts
Brackets, housings, jigs and components designed to fit and to work under load.
Models and presentations
Scale models for architects, developers and investors, in fine detail.
Confidentiality
Protecting Your Design
A custom design can be personal, or commercially sensitive. If your design is patented or you want it kept private, we are happy to work under a non-disclosure agreement.
Your intellectual property is respected: we won’t reproduce your design for other customers unless you tell us we can. Just let us know your preference when you get in touch.
Many of the parts we design are for businesses developing new products, so confidentiality is routine for us. You can ask for an NDA at the quote stage, before you send any drawings or files.
See it in action
Watch a Part Being Designed
A short screen recording of one of our designers modelling a part in 3D CAD.
3D CAD design at 3D Printing Nottingham.
Questions
3D Design FAQs
What do you need from me to start a design?
Anything that shows the shape and size: a technical drawing, a sketch with measurements, photos from several angles next to a ruler, or the part itself.
Will I see the design before it is printed?
Yes, always. We send you the 3D model for approval and make any changes before printing begins.
Can you improve on an existing part?
Often, yes. Where the original was weak or awkward, we can strengthen or adjust the design and print it in a tougher material.
Will you sign a non-disclosure agreement?
Yes. We are happy to work under an NDA and we won’t reproduce your design for anyone else unless you agree.
How do I send you my file?
Attach it to the form on our contact page. Zip it first: the uploader rejects a bare .stl file but accepts a .zip folder with your STL or CAD file inside. Prefer the phone? Ring 0115 671 3705 on a weekday between 8am and 6pm.
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