Engineering-led design & advanced manufacturing

Complex Problems.
Practical Engineering.
Exceptional Results.

From an unusual mechanical challenge to a production-ready component, we combine CAD design, material knowledge and advanced additive manufacturing to develop solutions that work in the real world.

What we do

More than a print service.
Built around the problem.

Bring us a concept, a broken component, a drawing, or a difficult requirement. We help determine the design, process and material that make sense for the application.

01 / DESIGN

CAD Design & Engineering

Parametric modeling, mechanical components, assemblies, design refinement and practical engineering for real-world use.

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02 / DEVELOPMENT

Prototyping & Iteration

Translate concepts into physical prototypes, evaluate fit and function, and refine a design before committing to final production.

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03 / MANUFACTURING

Advanced Additive Manufacturing

In-house precision polymer FFF manufacturing, from detailed prototypes to functional components using engineering-grade materials.

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04 / MATERIALS

Material Selection

Evaluate strength, temperature, environment, appearance and manufacturability—not just what's easiest to print.

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05 / FABRICATION

Custom Parts & Assemblies

Specialty components, replacement parts, fixtures and assemblies—designed for the process that best fits the job.

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06 / PROBLEM SOLVING

Engineering Consultation

Not sure what to make—or whether additive manufacturing is the right approach? We can help evaluate the options.

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Beyond the machines in our shop

Designed for the right process.
Not limited to one process.

Our core production capability is precision polymer additive manufacturing. But a successful design may call for a different process. We can own the design and development process, validate prototypes in-house, and coordinate outside production when a specialist process is the right solution.

Specialist manufacturing may be sourced from external suppliers when required. Process suitability, supplier capability, lead time and final pricing are evaluated per project.

Engineering for the manufacturing process

Geometry is only part of the equation.

A part is only successful when its design, material and manufacturing method work together. We evaluate those decisions early—whether production happens in our workshop or at a specialist manufacturer.

Additive manufacturing

Building a part layer by layer enables intricate geometry, internal channels, consolidated assemblies and features that may be impractical to machine or mold. It also introduces process-specific considerations that must be designed around.

Subtractive manufacturing

CNC milling and turning remove material from stock. They can be the better choice for certain tolerances, surface finishes, material requirements and production quantities. We design with tool access, setups and machining constraints in mind.

Design for manufacture

For polymer FFF, we consider build orientation, layer bonding, load paths, wall geometry, tolerances and environmental exposure. For molding, sheet metal, thermoforming or specialist additive processes, we evaluate their own tooling and geometry constraints.

We can develop and validate a design in-house, then coordinate specialist production when another process or material is the better final answer.

How we think

Good engineering starts with the right questions.

We look at what a part needs to do, the environment it will face, the constraints around it and the most practical way to make it. Sometimes that means printing a prototype. Sometimes it means rethinking the design entirely.

The objective isn't the most complicated solution. It's the solution that meets the requirement.

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EX3D
About Exact 3D Design

Experience changes how you approach a problem.

Exact 3D Design is driven by decades of hands-on engineering, technical design and practical problem-solving. Our approach is rooted in understanding the application first, then using the right tools and processes to deliver a useful result.

We work with individuals and organizations that need thoughtful solutions, not simply another item produced from a file.

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Frequently asked questions

Useful answers before we begin.

From a first sketch to specialist manufacturing, here are answers to common project questions.

Do I need an existing CAD file or 3D model?

No. A sketch, photos, measurements, an existing part or a description of the problem may be enough to begin. We will identify what additional information is needed before design work starts.

What types of 3D printing do you offer?

Our primary in-house process is fused filament fabrication (FFF), sometimes called FDM, using a range of standard and engineering-grade polymers. Other additive processes, including SLS, MJF, SLA, PolyJet and metal printing, may be considered through specialist suppliers when appropriate.

Why do you call it FFF instead of FDM?

FDM (Fused Deposition Modeling) is a trademark of Stratasys. FFF (Fused Filament Fabrication) is the generic term for the same broad category of filament-extrusion additive manufacturing, and is the term we prefer. You will often hear both used informally.

Can you design parts for CNC machining, sheet metal or thermoforming?

Yes, we can discuss designing components with those processes in mind. We do not claim to operate every type of equipment in-house; specialist fabrication can be quoted or coordinated with outside manufacturers as appropriate.

Can you help select the right material?

Yes. We consider loading, temperature, exposure, appearance, durability and manufacturing method—not simply which filament is easiest to print. Explore our Materials Intelligence reference for a growing comparison of options. Explore Materials Intelligence ↗

Can you reverse engineer or replace an obsolete part?

Often, yes. An original component, photographs, dimensions and information about how the part functions are useful starting points. Suitability depends on the part’s function, operating conditions and available information.

What is the maximum size part you can make?

It depends on the selected process, geometry and whether a part can be divided into an assembly. We evaluate size limits for each project rather than publishing a single maximum that may not apply.

Do you provide finishing and post-processing?

Finishing and post-processing needs can be reviewed during quoting. Available options depend on the material, desired appearance, tolerances and production process.

Do you ship finished parts?

Shipping can be discussed as part of a project quotation. Packaging, destination and delivery requirements affect the available options and cost.

How do you protect my intellectual property?

We treat customer project information as confidential in our working process. If a formal nondisclosure agreement or specific handling requirements are needed, please raise them before sharing sensitive designs.

How long does a project take?

Lead time depends on design complexity, prototyping cycles, materials, quantity and whether outside manufacturing is required. We provide project-specific timing after reviewing the scope.

What is the difference between additive manufacturing and CNC machining?

Additive manufacturing creates parts by adding material, typically in successive layers. Subtractive processes such as CNC milling and turning remove material from a larger piece of stock. Additive can produce complex internal features and integrated geometries that are difficult or impossible to access with cutting tools; machining can offer advantages in particular materials, tolerances and surface finishes. We evaluate the tradeoffs for your application.

Can additive manufacturing replace injection molding?

Sometimes, especially for prototypes, customized parts, complex geometries and low-volume production. Injection molding is often more economical at higher volumes once tooling is justified. Each method has different geometry, tooling, material and cost constraints; the best choice depends on the project.

How do you design strong, functional 3D-printed parts?

We account for how the manufacturing process affects the finished component. For FFF, that includes build orientation, layer bonding, load direction, wall structure, material selection, tolerances and service conditions. The goal is to engineer around process limitations and use its strengths—not simply print a model and hope it performs.

Can EX3D manage manufacturing that takes place outside your shop?

Yes. We can develop the design, prototype and refine it, prepare appropriate production files and specifications, and help source and coordinate manufacturing through an outside supplier. Final supplier selection, cost, lead time and manufacturing requirements are confirmed for each project.

How do I request a quote?

Email bill@Exact3Design.com with a brief description, photos or drawings if available, quantity, intended use and any deadline. A dedicated online quoting portal is planned; it is not yet active.

Have something difficult to solve?

You don't need all the answers before you start the conversation.

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