Design
CAD design and prototyping: from idea to part
COOLASER, a laser workshop in Italy, in Gaeta (LT), offers CAD design and prototyping: from an idea, a sketch, a photo or a sample to the CAD drawing and the part, in metal, wood, acrylic (Plexiglas) or leather. For private customers, craftspeople, professionals and companies, from the prototype to a small batch; quotes are requested through the form dedicated to design.
Who CAD design is for
CAD design is the computer-aided technical drawing of a part, with shapes and dimensions ready for production. It is useful for:
- people who have an idea or a sketch but no technical drawing;
- people who need to remake a broken, worn or unobtainable part from the sample;
- craftspeople and professionals who want to check a part before ordering a batch;
- companies looking for a prototype to test, assemble or present.
CAD design: from idea to drawing
COOLASER's CAD design turns the customer's starting point into a drawing ready for the workshop's processes:
- idea: a description of what the part is for, with the known dimensions;
- sketch: even hand-drawn, with the main dimensions;
- photo: of the part or of the place where it will be fitted, with a size reference;
- sample: an existing part to reproduce or modify.
The drawing is conceived from the start for the laser cutting, bending, welding and marking that will produce it. It is developed with parametric CAD software, in which dimensions and variants can be changed without redrawing the part, and delivered in the format the customer needs.
Prototyping: from drawing to part
Prototyping is the production of the first parts of a project, to check their shape, dimensions and fit before the batch. At the COOLASER workshop the prototype is made with the same processes as production: metal laser cutting, laser cutting of wood and acrylic, bending, laser welding, finishing, engraving and marking. The workshop has four laser sources: COâ‚‚, diode, fibre (including MOPA) and UV.
Prototype materials
- Metal: 304 and 316 stainless steel sheet and aluminium sheet, to be cut, bent and welded.
- Wood: solid wood, plywood and MDF.
- Acrylic: Plexiglas (PMMA) and other acrylic sheet, with the polished edge of laser cutting.
- Leather: shapes, inserts and accessories.
From prototype to small batch
A successful prototype is repeated in small batches through subcontract production, in one-off or repeat batches, even with different variable data on each piece. For those who already have the drawing, the subcontract laser service starts directly from the file.
Service details
The table summarises starting points, accepted files, lead times and delivery for CAD design.
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Starting point | idea, sketch, photo or sample |
| Sample | shipped to the workshop or, on request, handed in at the workshop |
| Accepted files | DXF, DWG, SVG, AI, EPS, PDF, STL, STEP, OBJ, 3MF, PNG, JPG, WEBP, HEIC, GIF, DOC, XLS, ZIP; up to 10 files, 20 MB each and 30 MB in total |
| Drawing delivered | in the format the customer needs |
| Design price | on quote, based on the work |
| Lead times | standard, urgent or by a set date |
| Delivery of the piece | shipping throughout Italy and abroad, or, on request, collection from the workshop |
How it works
CAD design is requested and developed in four steps.
- Request. The idea, sketch, photos or sample details are sent with the design request.
- CAD drawing. The workshop prepares the drawing of the piece.
- Prototype. The first piece is made from the drawing.
- Batch and delivery. The prototype can become a small batch; the piece arrives with shipping throughout Italy and abroad (outside the European Union, any duties and customs charges are paid by the recipient), or, on request, is collected from the workshop.
Why design and produce in the same workshop
At the COOLASER workshop, design and production are under the same roof.
- Whoever draws the piece knows the processes that will make it.
- From drawing to prototype and batch, the supplier stays the same.
- Metal, wood, acrylic (Plexiglas) and leather are worked in the same workshop.
Frequently asked questions
Can a piece be made starting from just an idea?
Yes: for CAD design an idea, a sketch, a photo or a sample is enough. The workshop derives the drawing and makes the piece in metal, wood, acrylic or leather.
Can a piece be remade from a sample?
Yes, the CAD drawing is derived from a sample and a new piece is made, when the shape can be achieved with the workshop's processes. The sample is shipped to the workshop or, on request, handed in at the workshop.
What materials are prototypes made in?
Prototypes are made in metal, wood, acrylic and leather, with laser cutting, bending, welding, finishing and marking. The same processes are then used for the small batch.
Can a small batch be produced after the prototype?
Yes: the successful prototype is repeated in small batches, one-off or repeat, through subcontract production. Each piece can carry different variable data, such as numbers or names.
In what format is the CAD drawing delivered?
The CAD drawing is delivered in the format the customer needs, for production at the workshop or for another supplier. The format is stated in the design request.
How much does CAD design cost?
The cost of the design is set with the quote, based on the piece to be drawn. The request is sent with the form dedicated to design.
Design
For private individuals, craftspeople, professionals and companies, from prototype to small batch; the quote is requested with the form dedicated to design.