Designing Waterproof Products in CAD: IP Ratings, Gaskets, and O-Ring Seals Explained
Waterproof product design is one of those things that looks simple on a render and gets hard the moment a prototype goes into a bucket of water. Outdoor electronics, marine gear, handheld tools, lighting, and wearables all need housings that keep water and dust out while still opening for assembly, charging, and service. At eCadCam […]
3D Body Scanning: How Full-Body and Head Scans Work for Busts, Figurines, and Costume Fitting
3D body scanning turns a person into an accurate digital model in minutes, and it is a service we handle regularly at our Glendale studio. Customers come to us for custom busts and figurines, costume and prop fitting for film and TV, wearable product development, and personalized gifts. If you have wondered how a full-body […]
Threads in 3D Printed Parts: Printed Threads, Tapped Holes, and Heat-Set Inserts Compared
Sooner or later, almost every functional part needs a screw. Enclosures need lids, brackets need to bolt onto frames, and fixtures need knobs that can be tightened again and again. The question we hear constantly at our Glendale shop is simple: what is the best way to add threads to 3D printed parts? The answer […]
Ring Sizing for Custom Rings: How to Get the Fit Right Before Jewelry CAD and Casting
Getting the ring size right is the one detail that can make or break a custom ring. A beautiful design that spins, pinches, or won’t slide over the knuckle ends up in a drawer or back at the bench for resizing. Because we model every custom ring in jewelry CAD before it is printed in […]
What Materials Can’t Be Laser Cut? PVC, Vinyl, Polycarbonate, and Safer Alternatives
Laser cutting is fast, precise, and works on a huge range of materials, which is why customers are often surprised when we turn a file down because of what it’s made of. The truth is that some materials can’t be laser cut safely or cleanly. A few release toxic, corrosive fumes; others melt, catch fire, […]
Industrial Design vs. Mechanical Engineering: Which Does Your Product Design Project Need?
When people come to us with a new product idea, one of the first questions we help them answer is whether they need industrial design, mechanical engineering, or both. The terms get used interchangeably, but in product design they describe two different jobs. Understanding the difference between industrial design vs. mechanical engineering helps you budget […]
3D Scanning for Theme Parks and Themed Entertainment: Replicating Rockwork, Sculpture, and Show Props
Southern California is home to theme parks, themed restaurants, immersive attractions, museum exhibits, and retail experiences that depend on sculpted, one-of-a-kind pieces. When one of those pieces cracks, fades, or needs to be duplicated at a new location, 3D scanning for theme parks and themed entertainment is often the fastest way to capture it accurately. […]
3D Printing vs. CNC Machining: Which Is Right for Your Part?
Should your part be 3D printed or CNC machined? It is one of the most common questions we hear at our Glendale shop, and the honest answer is that it depends on quantity, material, geometry, and how the part will be used. Both 3D printing and CNC machining can turn a CAD file into a […]
Custom Jewelry from a Sketch or Photo: What to Send Your Jewelry CAD Designer
Many of the best pieces we make start as a napkin sketch, a screenshot saved from Instagram, or a photo of a grandmother’s ring. Turning custom jewelry from a sketch or photo into a finished, wearable piece is exactly what jewelry CAD is for, but the quality of what you send at the start has […]
Laser Photo Engraving: How to Turn Photos Into Engraved Wood, Stone, and Acrylic Keepsakes
Laser photo engraving turns a favorite picture into something you can hold: a family portrait on a slab of black granite, a pet photo on a maple cutting board, a wedding shot inside a block of clear acrylic. It is one of the most common requests we get at our Glendale shop, and it is […]