How Accurate Is 3D Scanning? Accuracy, Resolution, and Tolerances Explained
“How accurate is 3D scanning?” is usually the first question we hear before a client trusts a scanner with a precision part. The short answer: professional 3D scanning can capture geometry to within 0.02–0.1 mm depending on the technology, which is tighter than most manufacturing processes can hold. The longer answer depends on the scanner, […]
Metal 3D Printing with DMLS: How It Works, What It Costs, and When It’s Worth It
Metal 3D printing has quietly moved from aerospace labs into everyday product development, and Direct Metal Laser Sintering (DMLS) is the technology making it happen. Instead of machining a part from a solid billet or paying for casting tooling, DMLS builds fully dense metal parts layer by layer directly from a CAD file. At our […]
How to Replicate Heirloom Jewelry: 3D Scanning, CAD, and Lost-Wax Casting Explained
A wedding band passed down three generations, a pendant from a grandparent, a brooch only one sibling can inherit — heirloom jewelry carries meaning that no store-bought piece can match. The good news is that it’s now possible to replicate heirloom jewelry with remarkable accuracy. At our Glendale studio, we combine 3D scanning, jewelry CAD, […]
Laser Cutting Wood and Plywood: Material Choices, Kerf, and Finishing Tips
Laser cutting wood and plywood is one of the most versatile services we offer in Los Angeles. From signage and architectural models to packaging inserts, décor, puzzles, and furniture components, wood takes beautifully to the laser. But the type of wood, its thickness, and how you design the file all affect the final result. Here […]
How to Prepare Artwork for Laser Engraving and Cutting: File Types, Vector vs. Raster, and Design Tips
Preparing artwork for laser engraving is the single biggest factor in whether your finished piece looks crisp and professional or fuzzy and uneven. At our Glendale shop, we run jobs on wood, acrylic, metal, leather, and glass every week, and most of the problems we fix before a job hits the machine come down to […]
SolidWorks vs. Fusion 360 vs. AutoCAD: Which CAD Software Is Right for Your Product Design Project?
Choosing the right CAD software is one of the first decisions in any product design project, and it is one of the most common questions we hear from clients at our Glendale studio. SolidWorks, Fusion 360, and AutoCAD are three of the most widely used platforms, but they were built for very different jobs. Pick […]
3D Scan to 3D Print: How to Turn a Real Object Into an Accurate Replica
Can you 3D scan an object and print a copy of it? It’s one of the questions we hear most often at our Glendale studio, and the answer is yes — with the right process. Going from 3D scan to 3D print is how broken parts get replaced, discontinued components come back to life, and […]
PLA vs. ABS vs. PETG vs. Nylon: How to Choose the Right 3D Printing Material
Choosing the right 3D printing material is just as important as choosing the right printer. Two parts made from the same file can behave completely differently depending on whether they were printed in PLA, ABS, PETG, nylon, or resin. After more than two decades of running prints for engineers, designers, and small manufacturers here in […]
How Much Does Custom Jewelry Design Cost? CAD, Wax Printing, and Casting Prices Explained
If you’re pricing out a custom ring, pendant, or bracelet, custom jewelry design cost is usually the first number you want pinned down. The short answer: most custom jewelry design projects run $100–$600 for the CAD design work, roughly $30–$150 for the 3D-printed wax or resin model, and casting costs that depend mostly on the […]
CAD File Formats for Manufacturing: STEP, IGES, STL, DXF, and When to Use Each
CAD file formats for manufacturing confuse a lot of first-time product developers. You finish a design, a vendor asks for “a STEP file,” another asks for an STL, and a laser shop wants a DXF. Sending the wrong format can mean delays, lost detail, or parts made incorrectly. Our product design team in Los Angeles […]