Got great ideas, but no experience with 3D Printing or Woodworking? We’re here to help …
You’ve got a neat idea, but you don’t think of yourself as an artist or an engineer, and you don’t know how to get started … don’t panic! We can help you through each of the following steps, so Contact Us for a free estimate.
This phase of the process is about putting your ideas on paper and choosing colors and materials (there are many to choose from). We’ll meet with you to make it happen. If you’ve already got something sketched-out, so much the better.
The next step in realizing your idea is to create a 3D model … a virtual digital representation of the part to be printed. This is usually the most time-consuming part of the process, since every aspect of the part to be printed must be specified exactly. There are many free and low-cost applications for creating 3D models that we can recommend, or you can use our in-house modeling services which start at $150.
Once your 3D model has been created, it must be saved as an STL file, which is a computer file format widely used in 3D printing. We prepare your STL file for 3D printing by adding the scaffolding that provides support for your part during printing, and making any adjustments needed to ensure the best possible print quality.
Now we wait! Your project will enter our print queue and begin printing as soon as a printer is available. If you’re in a hurry, rush pricing is available. The time to complete a print depends on the size, material, and detail in your part, and could range from a few hours to several days. Material costs are based on the volume of your part, and start at 30¢ per milliliter.
Once printing completes, we go through several postprocessing steps to cleanup your part and ensure a good surface finish. Optional services include scaffolding removal, sanding, and painting, all depending on how much of the process you want to do yourself.
If you’re in the Albuquerque area, we’ll deliver your completed part in person at no charge.