Ergonomic Product Design in CAD: How to Design Handles, Grips, and Hand-Held Devices That Feel Right
Ergonomic product design is the difference between a tool people reach for and one that sits in the drawer. A hand-held device can be mechanically perfect and still fail because the grip is too fat, the trigger is in the wrong spot, or the weight sits in the wrong place. At eCadCam, much of our […]
3D Scanning for Custom Packaging and Foam Inserts: Designing Cases, Trays, and Cradles That Fit Your Product
If you have ever tried to design a foam insert, a shipping tray, or a protective case around a product using only a tape measure, you know how it ends: the cavity is too tight on one side, too loose on the other, and the product rattles or refuses to seat. 3D scanning for custom […]
3D Printed Molds and Casting Patterns: Silicone Molding, Vacuum Forming, and Urethane Casting Explained
Not every part we make on a 3D printer is the final product. A surprising share of our print jobs in Los Angeles are 3D printed molds and casting patterns: tooling that lets a customer pour, press, or form dozens of copies in materials a printer cannot produce directly. If you need silicone parts, urethane […]
Hollow vs. Solid Jewelry Design in CAD: How to Reduce Metal Weight and Casting Costs
One of the first questions we ask when a client brings us a bold ring, a chunky cuff, or an oversized pendant is simple: does this piece need to be solid? Hollow jewelry design in CAD is one of the most effective tools we have at eCadCam for reducing metal weight and casting costs. With […]
How Accurate Is Laser Cutting? Kerf, Tolerances, and Design Clearances Explained
“How accurate is laser cutting?” is one of the first questions we hear from engineers and designers about to send us a file. The short answer: a well-tuned CO2 or fiber laser can hold roughly ±0.1 mm (±0.004″) on thin sheet material. The longer answer depends on kerf, material thickness, heat, and how the part […]
Design for Assembly (DFA): How Reducing Part Count Cuts Manufacturing Costs and Assembly Time
Design for assembly (DFA) is one of the most effective ways to lower the real cost of a product, and one of the most overlooked. Most CAD projects that come through our Glendale studio already think about design for manufacturing. Far fewer think about what happens after the parts are made, when someone has to […]
On-Site 3D Scanning in Los Angeles: When We Bring the Scanner to You
Not everything fits in the back of a car. Industrial machinery bolted to a factory floor, a vehicle mid-restoration, a sculpture installed in a courtyard, a mold that cannot leave a production line for more than an hour: these are the jobs that bring customers to us asking about on-site 3D scanning in Los Angeles. […]
How Strong Are 3D Printed Parts? Strength by Technology, Infill, and Print Orientation
“How strong are 3D printed parts?” is one of the first questions we hear at our Glendale shop, usually right after someone asks about price. The answer is that 3D printed part strength is not one number. It depends on the printing technology, the material, how much of the part is solid inside, and which […]
Metal 3D Printing vs. Casting for Jewelry: Which Method Should You Choose?
One of the most common questions we hear from designers and small brands is whether they should 3D print jewelry directly in metal or go the traditional route of lost-wax casting. Metal 3D printing vs. casting for jewelry is a real decision now that direct metal printing (DMLS) has become accessible, but the right answer […]
Laser Engraving Leather Goods: Wallets, Bags, and Belts for Retail Brands
Laser engraving leather goods is one of the fastest ways for a retail brand to make wallets, bags, and belts look custom without adding much cost or lead time. Whether you’re launching a small accessories line, adding personalization to an existing collection, or branding merchandise for a store, laser engraving gives you crisp logos, monograms, […]