CAD design and drafting for products and parts
Gjethe provides CAD design and drafting: 2D technical drawings, 3D part and assembly models, converting sketches, scans or old drawings into clean CAD files, design changes to existing models, and files prepared for 3D printing, CNC machining, laser cutting or a manufacturer. We work in Fusion 360, SolidWorks, Onshape, FreeCAD and AutoCAD. Certified engineering sign-off, where your project needs it, stays with a licensed engineer.
- Free first consultation
- Written quote for your project
- Flexible payment milestones
At a glance
- Outputs
- 2D drawings, 3D parts and assemblies
- Software
- Fusion 360, SolidWorks, Onshape, FreeCAD, AutoCAD
- Formats
- STEP, IGES, STL, DXF, DWG, PDF
- Uses
- 3D printing, CNC, laser cutting, manufacturing
Definition
What is cad design & drafting?
CAD (computer-aided design) is creating precise 2D drawings and 3D models of parts, products or spaces in software, so they can be reviewed, simulated and manufactured accurately.
Many product ideas stall between a sketch and something a workshop can make. Manufacturers need accurate models and drawings with dimensions, tolerances and materials. Clean CAD files also make it easier to get quotes from several suppliers, iterate quickly with 3D-printed prototypes and keep a record of every revision.
Who is it for?
Product inventors
Turn a sketch or prototype into files a manufacturer can quote.
Small manufacturers
Overflow drafting, drawing updates and digitising old paper drawings.
Hardware startups
Enclosures, brackets and parts for prototypes and small runs.
Workshops and fabricators
DXF files for laser and plasma cutting, and drawings for the shop floor.
What's included, and what you keep
What's included
- 3D modelling of parts from sketches or measurements
- Assemblies with constraints and motion checks
- 2D technical drawings with dimensions and tolerances
- Converting scans, photos or paper drawings to CAD
- Design for 3D printing
- Design for CNC machining or sheet metal
- DXF files for laser, plasma or waterjet cutting
- Enclosure design for electronics
- Revisions to existing CAD models
- Bills of materials
- Renders for presentations and listings
What you receive
Handed over at the end. Yours to keep.
- Native CAD files
- Neutral formats such as STEP and IGES
- STL or 3MF files for 3D printing
- DXF or DWG files for cutting
- PDF drawings for manufacturing
- A bill of materials where relevant
From sketch to manufacturable part
A drawing that looks right isn't always one that can be made affordably. Wall thicknesses, draft angles, hole sizes, bend radii and tolerances all depend on the process. We ask early how the part will be made, then model it with that process in mind, so suppliers don't send it back for changes.
For prototypes, we often design for 3D printing first and adjust the model for injection moulding or machining once the design is proven.
Which file does your supplier need?
| Process | Typical files |
|---|---|
| 3D printing | STL or 3MF, sometimes STEP |
| CNC machining | STEP plus a dimensioned PDF drawing |
| Laser, plasma or waterjet cutting | DXF or DWG, 1:1 scale |
| Sheet metal | STEP with flat pattern and a bend drawing |
| Injection moulding | STEP plus drawings; the toolmaker designs the mould |
What we don't sign off
Some projects need certified engineering: structural calculations for buildings, pressure vessels, safety-critical parts, or anything requiring a licensed engineer's stamp under local rules. We can produce the models and drawings, but the certification and responsibility for compliance stay with a licensed engineer you appoint. We'll tell you when we think a part needs that review.
Digitising old drawings
Many workshops still rely on paper drawings or scanned PDFs. Recreating them as proper CAD makes revisions easy, allows new suppliers to quote and keeps a single source of truth. We redraw from scans and measurements and flag anything ambiguous for you to confirm.
Renders and visuals
The same models can produce photorealistic renders for crowdfunding pages, investor decks or product listings before the first unit exists. For animated or marketing-grade renders, our 3D modelling and rendering service picks up from the CAD model.
What helps us start
- Sketches, photos or existing drawings
- Key dimensions and how parts fit together
- The manufacturing process and material
- Quantities: prototype, small batch or production
- Standards or tolerances your supplier requires
- The CAD software or formats you need back
Electronics enclosures
Hardware projects often need an enclosure around a circuit board: mounting points, openings for connectors and buttons, space for cables and airflow, and a way to open it for service. We model the enclosure around the board's dimensions or its CAD export, check clearances, and design for 3D printing first, then for moulding or machining when quantities justify it.
How cad design & drafting works, step by step
Every step has a clear output you can review. Timing is agreed in your quote.
- 1
Brief
Function, dimensions, process, material and quantities.
- 2
Concept model
A first 3D model to confirm form and fit.
- 3
Detail
Features, tolerances and manufacturing details added.
- 4
Drawings
Dimensioned 2D drawings and bills of materials.
- 5
Review
Two rounds of revisions on models and drawings.
- 6
Export
Native and neutral files for your suppliers.
Tools, and what shapes your quote
Pricing is based on your project and agreed in your quote. These are the things that move it.
| Factor | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Number of parts | Assemblies with many parts need more modelling and checking. |
| Complexity | Organic shapes and complex features take longer than simple parts. |
| Input quality | Clear dimensions are faster than measuring from photos. |
| Drawing requirements | Full tolerancing and multiple views add drafting time. |
| Manufacturing process | Designing for moulding or sheet metal needs specific detailing. |
| Renders | Marketing-quality renders add work. |
| Area | Tools |
|---|---|
| 3D CAD | Fusion 360, SolidWorks, Onshape, FreeCAD |
| 2D drafting | AutoCAD, DraftSight, LibreCAD |
| 3D printing | PrusaSlicer, Cura, Bambu Studio |
| Rendering | KeyShot, Blender, Fusion 360 rendering |
Common mistakes to avoid
What we see go wrong most often, and how a good project avoids it.
Designing without the process in mind
A part that can't be made affordably goes back for redesign.
Missing tolerances
Without tolerances, suppliers guess, and parts may not fit.
Only sending STL files
STL is fine for printing but poor for machining or changes; keep STEP and native files.
No revision control
Mixing old and new versions leads to wrong parts being made.
Frequently asked questions
Which CAD software do you use?
Fusion 360, SolidWorks, Onshape and FreeCAD for 3D, and AutoCAD or similar tools for 2D. We deliver in the formats you need.
Can you turn my sketch into a 3D model?
Yes. Send sketches, photos and key dimensions, and we'll model it and confirm anything unclear.
Can you prepare files for 3D printing?
Yes, including wall thickness, tolerances for fitting parts and orientation advice.
Do you provide certified engineering?
No. Where certification or a licensed engineer's stamp is required, that review stays with a licensed engineer you appoint.
Can you convert old paper drawings?
Yes. We redraw from scans and measurements and flag anything ambiguous.
Do you do architectural CAD?
Our focus is products and parts. For simple layouts we can help; buildings requiring permits need a licensed architect.
Will I own the files?
Yes. Once paid, the models and drawings are yours, in native and neutral formats.
Can you also make photorealistic renders?
Yes, from the same models, for websites, crowdfunding pages and presentations.
How is CAD work priced?
It is quoted on the number and complexity of parts, the drawings required and the input you can provide.
Can you design an enclosure for our circuit board?
Yes. Send the board dimensions or its CAD export and we'll design an enclosure around it, with openings, mounts and clearances checked.
Can you work from a physical part we send photos of?
Yes, with careful measurements. For complex shapes, a 3D scan gives a more accurate starting point.
Can you modify an existing STEP file?
Yes. We import neutral files, rebuild features where needed and make the changes you require.
Do you prepare drawings to ISO or ASME conventions?
We follow the drawing conventions your manufacturer expects, including ISO or ASME styles for dimensions and tolerances.
Related services
CAD Design & Drafting by industry
Get your design ready to make.
Tell us what you need. You get an honest assessment, a clear plan and a written quote. The first consultation is always free.
- What happens next
- 1You tell us what you need
- 2We aim to reply within 24 hours with questions
- 3You get a written quote for your project