Our work
What has comeout of the workshop
Three projects carried from modelling to the finished object: an assembly kit handed out as a run, a technical part fitted in an engine bay, fifty parts for an association.
CAPTAS-4 construction kit
A scale model of the CAPTAS-4 sonar system turned into a self-assembly construction kit, handed out at events. A project carried from end to end, from modelling to the packaged product.
The brief
Turn a towed-sonar scale model into something the public assembles themselves, handed out on a stand: parts that clip together without tools, instructions that work without us, a box that fits in a trade-show bag, and fifty identical units.
What we did
- Part modelled to make sure the finished product holds together
- Prototype produced, then approved with the client
- Detailed assembly instructions for the construction kit
- Bespoke packaging created for the kit
- Run of 50 units printed
- Two-colour parts
50
units
2
colours, printed
Materials and techniques : 3D modelling · FDM printing · Two-colour · Run of 50 · Packaging
Kit and packaging — Bespoke box and instructions 
Assembling the kit — Assembly guided by the instructions
Air box for a rally car
The brief
An intake part that has to survive a rally engine bay: over 90 °C right next to the block, constant vibration, hydrocarbons, and every gram counting. A one-off part, so no tooling and no folded sheet metal.
What we did
- PA-CF chosen to hold up in an engine environment
- Annealed after printing, to crystallise the thermoplastic
- Dimensionally stable in the heat right next to the block
- The carbon fibres limit deformation under load
- Unaffected by hydrocarbons
- Weight saved against a machined or sheet-metal solution
Materials and techniques : PA-CF · FDM printing · Annealing · Technical part · Motorsport
An intake air box fitted in the engine bay of a rally car, printed in carbon-fibre-filled polyamide, then annealed to crystallise the thermoplastic. Lighter than a machined or folded sheet-metal part, for an environment that forgives nothing.
PA-CF
carbon-fibre-filled polyamide
90 °C
and above, under the bonnet
Hive protection cones
A run of 50 openwork ASA cones, designed to protect hives from the Asian hornet. A geometry with bridges in every direction, which took several rounds of tuning before it came out clean.
The brief
Protect hives from the Asian hornet with fifty cones that stay outdoors all year. The openwork calls for bridges in every direction, which the printer has to come out clean; the outdoors calls for a material that fears neither UV nor rain.
What we did
- Openwork geometry with bridges in every direction
- Several rounds of print tuning to clear the defects
- Printed in ASA, UV and weather resistant for outdoor use
- Run of 50 parts
50
cones delivered
ASA
UV and weather resistant
Materials and techniques : ASA · FDM printing · Run of 50 · Outdoor use
Being printed — On the Creality K2 Plus
Our latest news
Follow on LinkedInAir box 3D printed in PA-CF for a rally engine — Read the post on LinkedIn
180 km/h, over 90 °C under the bonnet, vibration and gravel: the air box of a rally car, printed in carbon-fibre-reinforced polyamide.
FDM or SLA resin 3D printing: how to choose — Read the post on LinkedIn
How FDM printing works, how SLA resin works, and which one to choose: six criteria compared, from precision through to cost.
The Makia3D workshop grows: the Creality K2 Plus arrives — Read the post on LinkedIn
A 350 x 350 x 350 mm build volume, the CFS multi-colour system and an actively heated chamber: the K2 Plus widens what we can print in FDM.
50 ASA parts to protect beehives from the Asian hornet — Read the post on LinkedIn
A run of 50 ASA cones to protect beehives from the Asian hornet. A geometry bridging in every direction, achieved after several rounds of settings.
A CAPTAS-4 teaching kit in the service of science outreach — Read the post on LinkedIn
An educational, playful construction kit designed with Thales, to introduce younger audiences to the CAPTAS-4 and to naval technology.
400 years of the Marine nationale: back to the CAPTAS-4 kit — Read the post on LinkedIn
The CAPTAS-4 sonar turned into a kit to assemble, carried from modelling through to packaged product, for the 400 years of the Marine nationale.
Every project has its own quote
Tell us about the part, what it is for and how many you need: we answer within 24 working hours with a material, a price and a lead time.