u/Fantastic_Brain5274

Hey everyone, I’ve been using cad for a few years, but as people have started asking me to design parts for them (specifically custom automotive parts with curvature/complex surfaces) I have really only ever designed parametric parts. I’m realizing I am not currently equipped to design the parts they need. I use onshape, and I’ve heard fusion360 could be better, but I also just don’t know if either software is good for this kind of work. I’m a college student and have limited budget currently, but I guess I’m wondering how to get better and what software you all recommend! Thanks.

Hey everyone, I’ve been using cad for a few years, but as people have started asking me to design parts for them (specifically custom automotive parts with curvature/complex surfaces) I have really only ever designed parametric parts. I’m realizing I am not currently equipped to design the parts they need. I use onshape, and I’ve heard fusion360 could be better, but I also just don’t know if either software is good for this kind of work. I’m a college student and have limited budget currently, but I guess I’m wondering how to get better and what software you all recommend! Thanks.

Hey everyone, I’ve been using cad for a few years, but as people have started asking me to design parts for them (specifically custom automotive parts with curvature/complex surfaces) I have really only ever designed parametric parts. I’m realizing I am not currently equipped to design the parts they need. I use onshape, and I’ve heard fusion360 could be better, but I also just don’t know if either software is good for this kind of work. I’m a college student and have limited budget currently, but I guess I’m wondering how to get better and what software you all recommend! Thanks.

Hey everyone, I’m looking to get some advice. To give some background, I’m a computer engineering student in college, and over the past couple months people have started asking me to design and 3d print parts from them, specifically in the automotive space. Things like old OEM parts that are no longer manufactured, custom racing/spoiler parts, and things like brackets for mounting lighting. I’ve been doing the work for no charge (or occasionally a little bit of money) to build up a portfolio, practice my skills and understand what people need. Now that I’ve built some proof and skills, I know more about some pain points I could potentially help solve, and have a bit of a better idea of what problems I might run into doing this as a business. I’ve been using 3d printers for almost 12 years now and always wanted to do something in the space with them, but this feels uncertain!

What I need help figuring out is - General direction/trajectory I should take from here (IF ANYTHING).

This business is labor intensive and I have a hunch that most clients would not pay enough for this to scale very nicely. Let’s say I have to commute to their shop, measure everything and/or scan their part, design it for several hours, print/prototype a few iterations, and then hand off the file/part to them. For a relatively simple bracket, I don’t think anybody is going to pay what it actually costs to do that. If you think I’m wrong though, let me know!

I have a couple ideas on what I could do overtime to make this scale a little better though.

First thing is outsourcing the CAD overseas, I think that’s kind of a gamble and could be costly if it doesn’t go as planned for a job, but it’s an idea.

Second would be to try and cut out the commute from some jobs by just doing it through submitted photos and measurements and then mailing parts/email digital files over, but this could introduce problems with measurement errors and poor communication.

I’ve thought about offering an “IT service” option/package where I install and train staff on a printer and charge a retainer fee for maintenance and a set amount of design hours included with the retainer fee, because most shops just don’t seem to have the time to learn new equipment like this/afford a full time designer. But I don’t know if anyone would actually pay for that kind of package.

I’ve also thought of software solutions I could offer down the line, making it easier for shop owners (or even hobbyists) to make 3D files using ai/intuitive design tools, but that’s just more speculation.

So overall, I have sort of verified a demand but I’m just unsure how/if I should pursue it further! Thank you for taking the time to read this, I know it’s a long post, all feedback is appreciated!

Hey everyone, I’m looking to get some advice. To give some background, I’m a computer engineering student in college, and over the past couple months people have started asking me to design and 3d print parts from them, specifically in the automotive space. Things like old OEM parts that are no longer manufactured, custom racing/spoiler parts, and things like brackets for mounting lighting. I’ve been doing the work for no charge (or occasionally a little bit of money) to build up a portfolio, practice my skills and understand what people need. Now that I’ve built some proof and skills, I know more about some pain points I could potentially help solve, and have a bit of a better idea of what problems I might run into doing this as a business. I’ve been using 3d printers for almost 12 years now and always wanted to do something in the space with them, but this feels uncertain!

What I need help figuring out is - General direction/trajectory I should take from here (IF ANYTHING).

This business is labor intensive and I have a hunch that most clients would not pay enough for this to scale very nicely. Let’s say I have to commute to their shop, measure everything and/or scan their part, design it for several hours, print/prototype a few iterations, and then hand off the file/part to them. For a relatively simple bracket, I don’t think anybody is going to pay what it actually costs to do that. If you think I’m wrong though, let me know!

I have a couple ideas on what I could do overtime to make this scale a little better though.

First thing is outsourcing the CAD overseas, I think that’s kind of a gamble and could be costly if it doesn’t go as planned for a job, but it’s an idea.

Second would be to try and cut out the commute from some jobs by just doing it through submitted photos and measurements and then mailing parts/email digital files over, but this could introduce problems with measurement errors and poor communication.

I’ve thought about offering an “IT service” option/package where I install and train staff on a printer and charge a retainer fee for maintenance and a set amount of design hours included with the retainer fee, because most shops just don’t seem to have the time to learn new equipment like this/afford a full time designer. But I don’t know if anyone would actually pay for that kind of package.

I’ve also thought of software solutions I could offer down the line, making it easier for shop owners (or even hobbyists) to make 3D files using ai/intuitive design tools, but that’s just more speculation.

So overall, I have sort of verified a demand but I’m just unsure how/if I should pursue it further! Thank you for taking the time to read this, I know it’s a long post, all feedback is appreciated!