Concept to Creation for
Marketing & Sales Models
--How we get it done--
Our 4 Stage Process
If you have managed projects, you know that a consistent and repeatable process can lead to success, here is our process.
The Stages
Scope of Work & Approval
We will examine the customer's 3D design or concept for feasibility and to ensure it aligns with our capabilities. If known, the customer will share the key objectives, deliverables, budget, and deadlines.
The result is a scope of work including printing method(s), materials, final finishes, as well as any other necessary services such as 3D modeling or scanning. The scope of work is then used to determine estimates for production that are aligned with the project budget and timeline.
3D Design & Print Settings Testing
Printable files are a requirement at this stage and depending on the scope of work, the customer will provide them, we will model them, or we will repair existing non-printable files provided. Once the print files are ready, we will begin to dial in print settings to optimize machine performance.
At the completion of this stage, you will have the opportunity to approve any proofs or changes that arise during this stage and to revisit the budget and timeline with us.
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Pre-Production & Production
During the pre-production and production stage, many factors are considered in determining the number of machines to allocate to the project. Each machine is verified as a viable fit for the material, print settings, and geometry of the part prior to full allocation to the project.
A quality control plan is implemented to ensure the 3D prints are produced to the agreed upon expectations, and to allow for early implementation of changes if necessary. Machines allocation is increased or decreased to allow us to meet deadlines with certainty.
3D Print Finishing & Fulfillment
If print finishing such as smoothing, painting, dying, assembly, or support removal is included in the scope of work, we will schedule these services to meet fulfillment dates. We maximize print finishing success by putting forethought into prior stages of modeling and print setting testing.
Once the parts are ready for shipping, we offer various cariers such as UPS, FedEx, and USPS, but also courier to Atlanta local locations and also offer pick up service.
Scope of Work & Approval
During this phase we gather information from you, the customer, that enables us to develop the scope of work for the project. Consultations are common in this stage, via phone calls, video conferences, or in-person meetings. Once a scope of work is approved, we put together an estimate and timeline.
Info from you
- CAD files, drawings, sketches, images, and/or descriptions
- Timeline and deadlines
- Goals for the project
- Intended use of the model or items
- Target audience for the model or items
- Additional stakeholders
- Is a budget already determined
With that info, we
- Validate the project's feasibility
- Review finish and quality options available for the project
- Suggest ideas from our experience to benefit the project
- Provide a cost range and timeline estimate
3D Design & Print Setting Testing
Once the project budget and timeline are approved, we will develop a proof for approval and the necessary files for production.
The amount of work at this stage will vary depending on the usability of the files and assets that you have gathered to start. The more work, the higher the cost of the project in terms of billable modeling hours. You can handle as much of the work that is necessary for your project, however, that introduces a greater risk for added work later in the project that might negate the savings. For instance, without the knowledge of all our equipment sizing and capabilities you might not employ the best strategy for splitting a model into pieces leading to more print hours and a higher print cost.
At the completion of this stage you will have the opportunity to approve any proofs or changes that arise during this stage and to revisit the budget and timeline with us.
Potential work items at this stage
- Validate "printability" of files
- Repair print files that are not printable
- Convert files not intended for 3D printing into printable file(s) in the proper scale of the final model/parts (examples would be manufacturing STEP files, architectural models intended for 3D viewing on screen, 3D digital assets made for film/video/gaming)
- Scale the file(s) to the appropriate size for the model
- Remodel portions of the file(s) that wouldn’t successfully print at scale
- Remove unnecessary parts of the model such as inner components of items that would not be visible in the final model and minor items like nuts/bolts that do not need to be represented
- Split the model up into appropriate printable sections with a strategy for assembling the parts back together
- Solidify open cavities and/or hollow them with appropriate wall thicknesses
- Thicken 2D planes
- Suggest design modifications when we see opportunities to optimize printability, reduce print times, reduce cost, etc
- Suggest design modifications when we see opportunities to optimize printability, reduce print times, reduce cost, etc
- Scan the physical object(s) that need to be printed
Pre-Production & Production
The Pre-Production stage of Production is often neglected in the timeline planning, but this stage is critical for success. We have developed best practices for handling this stage quickly and effectively.
Pre-Production
- Lay out a strategy for 3D printing the files involved in the project
- Print settings are dialed in to meet or exceed expectations of the final finish of the part
- Print settings are dialed in for speed in printing to ensure we meet deadlines
- Machines are dialed in to the specific print jobs to ensure we have equipment that is calibrated to meet or exceed quality expectations
- Calculate the number of machines needed to complete the work on time
Production
- Start enough machines to complete the work on time
- Monitor the quality control pass/fail rate and adjust the number of machines needed accordingly to complete the job on time
- Move quality control passed parts on to post processing and 3D print finishing / fulfillment
- Monitor the timeline
3D Print Finishing & Fulfillment
3D Print Finishing
- Marketing models often require assembly, which can happen before or after painting and smoothing depending on the color of the parts and the look of the model
- Epoxy, friction welding, or super glue arecommon adhesives or processes for assembling parts
- Marketing models also typically need to be smoothed and painted which involves: 1) rough sanding, 2) clear coat, 3) wet sanding, 4) primer coat, 5) repeat steps 3-4 as necessary, 6) painting, and 7) final coat
Fulfillment
- We offer the following fulfillment services: UPS/FedEx/USPS/Courier (Atlanta only)/Delta Dash/Hold for Pick Up/LTL
- We can ship complete or in batches as the work completes
- We can package and ship directly to several different addresses
- We can ship “blind” as if your shipment came from the customer or entity
- In some cases, we can offer retail packaging, stickers, and labels
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