3D design for printing — no CAD file required

Table of Contents

1. What is 3D design service?
2. 3D design with us vs. the alternatives
3. When do you need 3D design?
4. The design process — from sketch to print file
5. NDA, confidentiality and encrypted file transfer
6. Cases from the workshop
7. What does 3D design cost?
8. FAQ

3D design service is the answer when you have an idea, a sketch, or a worn-out spare part — but no CAD file. This is the situation we encounter most often: the customer knows exactly what they want, but has no way to draw it themselves. At Maker Factory in Varde, we offer 3D design as an integrated part of our print service — we design the file and print it, so you receive a finished part, not just a drawing. It is faster than hiring an external engineer, cheaper than waiting to find the right CAD software, and you do not have to learn a complex program just to get a single part made. Read more about our 3D design service and our general 3D print service in Denmark.

What is 3D design service?

3D design service means we model your idea as a digital 3D file — typically in STEP or STL format — which is then sent directly to the 3D printer. This is a professional CAD task (Computer-Aided Design) that normally requires specialised software and experience with print-optimised geometries. We work in Autodesk Fusion 360 — industry-standard software used by engineers and product developers worldwide.

We know the specific requirements for designs intended for 3D printing:

• Support structures — minimised to reduce cost and post-processing time.
• Wall thicknesses — dimensioned for the chosen material and print orientation.
• Tolerances — adjusted so the part fits its counterparts on the first try.
• Orientation on the print bed — critical for strength and surface quality.

3D design service with us vs. the alternatives

When you have a part that needs to be designed and printed, you have three realistic options. Here are the differences as we see them after advising customers through that decision since 2013:

When do you need 3D design for 3D printing?

1. No existing CAD file

The most common scenario: you know what you want, but have never had a file. It could be a bracket that fits a specific machine, a holder for a piece of equipment or a sensor, or a part you have sketched on paper or described in words. You send us a sketch, a photo, or a description — we model it and send a preview for approval before we print. Most simple designs are ready for review within 1–2 business days.

2. Reverse engineering of an existing part

Do you have a physical part you want to copy or improve — a spare part no longer available from the manufacturer, a component requiring modification, or a part you want to scale — we measure it and build a digital copy. We use manual measurement and 3D scanning depending on the complexity of the part. This is standard for spare part tasks for machines no longer supported by the manufacturer.

3. Optimising an existing design for 3D printing

If you already have a STEP or STL file from an engineer, but the file was designed for CNC milling or injection moulding, it is rarely optimal for 3D printing. We adapt the geometry (reduce unnecessary supports), wall thicknesses (optimised for the chosen FDM or SLA material) and tolerances (adjusted so the part fits precisely on the first attempt). This saves print time and significantly reduces failed prints.

The design process — from sketch to finished print file

We work in four clear steps:

1. Initial dialogue (10–15 min) — what will the part be used for, which tolerances are critical, and what are the material requirements? Ensures we draw the right thing from the start.
2. Modelling in Autodesk Fusion 360 — we build the 3D file and send a preview render to you for approval. If you have your own .f3d file, we open it directly and edit from there.
3. Revision — two rounds of revisions are included in the standard price. Corrections are implemented and sent for renewed approval.
4. Print and delivery — approved file goes directly into production. Combined design + print is typically delivered within 5–7 business days.

According to TCT Magazine, the combination of in-house design and printing is one of the primary reasons SMEs choose 3D print services — access to design expertise is at least as important as the printer itself.

NDA, confidentiality and encrypted file transfer

Many of the design tasks we handle are confidential. It could be a product under development, a spare part for a proprietary machine, or a design not yet patented. We treat all design files and technical information as confidential by default — but we are also happy to sign a formal NDA (Non-Disclosure Agreement) before we start.

• Your files are never shared — STL, STEP and other design files are never passed on to third parties.
• No portfolio exposure — we do not display your part in our portfolio without your explicit permission.
• NDA on request — we sign a confidentiality agreement before starting, at no extra cost.
• You own the file — all rights to the designed part belong to you as the customer.

Encrypted file transfer

Beyond the legal confidentiality standard, the technical infrastructure behind our file transfers is secured to the latest international standards. Files you send via our contact form and upload page are protected with AES 256-bit encryption at rest (the same standard used by banks and defence organisations globally) and encryption in transit, so no one can intercept them along the way. The platform is built on Amazon Web Services (AWS) with documented security mechanisms and continuous monitoring. Secure file transfer is standard at Maker Factory, not an add-on service.

Cases from the workshop

Case 1 — Spare part for an older packaging machine
A small food producer had a broken plastic holder in a 12-year-old packaging machine. The manufacturer had closed down, no spare part to be found. We received a photo and the measurements from a calliper. The part was modelled in Fusion 360 in 4 hours, printed in PA6-CF, and the machine was running again the next afternoon. Total cost: 1,350 DKK. The alternative — having the part milled in aluminium by a CNC supplier — would have cost approximately 4,800 DKK and two weeks of waiting.

Case 2 — Sensor bracket for an automation project
An automation company needed 8 identical brackets to hold an inductive sensor at a precise angle towards a conveyor belt. The customer had a rough sketch on paper and the measurements of the sensor. We modelled the bracket, sent a preview for approval, and delivered the 8 PA6-CF brackets within 5 business days. Total cost: 2,100 DKK including design and print. NDA signed before commencement.

Case 3 — Optimisation of an existing STEP file
A product developer had a STEP file drawn by their mechanical engineer, but the file was designed for injection moulding. When we tried to slice it, it required 40% support and would have taken 28 hours to print. We redesigned the geometry for printing (reorientation, removal of unnecessary overhangs, adjustment of tolerances): 8 hours of print time, 12% support, and the part fitted precisely on the first attempt. Optimisation price: 450 DKK.

What does 3D design service cost at Maker Factory?

Indicative prices for the most common design tasks:

For comparison: a freelance CAD engineer in Denmark typically charges 600–900 DKK per hour. A simple part that takes 2 hours to draw costs 1,200–1,800 DKK in design fees alone — and you still do not have a printer. With us, design and print is one combined delivery at one fixed price.

Describe the task — we will send a fixed price within 24 hours.

Frequently asked questions about 3D design service

Can you create 3D designs without me sending a file?

Yes. A sketch, a photo of an existing part, a drawing, or a description is enough for us to get started. We ask about the critical dimensions and requirements in a short dialogue before modelling begins.

Do you sign NDAs?

Yes. We are happy to sign a non-disclosure agreement (NDA) before we see your files or design — at no extra cost. Contact us and we will send a standard agreement within one business day.

What is the lead time for 3D design?

Simple designs are typically ready for preview approval within 1–2 business days. More complex tasks are agreed upon individually. Combined design + print is typically delivered within 5–7 business days.

What does 3D design cost at Maker Factory?

Simple designs start from 500 DKK including two rounds of revisions. We always provide a fixed price before we start — no hourly rate surprises. Design + print is invoiced together.

What file formats do you work with?

We model in Autodesk Fusion 360 and deliver as standard: STL (ready for 3D printing), STEP (editable in most CAD programmes), F3D (native Fusion 360 file) and OBJ (for visualisation). If you send us an existing file — whether it is .f3d, .step, .stl, SolidWorks or Rhino — we open it directly and work from there.

Can you optimise an existing CAD file for 3D printing?

Yes. Files designed for CNC milling or injection moulding are rarely directly optimal for 3D printing. We review the file and adjust geometry, wall thicknesses and tolerances. The price is agreed after a short file review — typically 300–500 DKK for simple optimisations.

What happens if the result is not as expected?

Two rounds of revisions are included in the standard price. If after both rounds we have not hit the mark, we go through the process and find the error — we do not deliver a part you are not satisfied with.