Hi, I'm Chris. I got my Mechanical Engineering degree from Cal Poly Engineering School where I also worked in material research. In 2016 I moved to Madison and have been working as a Design Engineer ever since. My career has afforded me the opportunity to work on all types of projects including spectroscopy, automation, nanofibers, mirrors and lenses, equipment racks, microscope objectives, hydraulics, bioreactor equipment, and too many pieces of assorted laboratory equipment to count. I often used this knowledge to assist friends and colleagues from other companies, who would also assist me in their areas of expertise. Common requests were design aid, assistance turning ideas into proper 3D models and CAD drawings, or running a few parts on my personal 3D printers. I began looking forward to this work. Directly helping people realize their ideas was the most fulfilling work I had done. After enough success, I decided to start my own business and commit to this full time.



3D Printing

I have been working with 3D printers since 2012. Let me say, 3D printers have come a LONG way since then in both capability of the machines and knowledge available to those operating them. I was there for the evolution of 3D printing from an interesting (and often frustrating) hobby to a viable and thriving industry. I have worked with an $89 mini printer, a six-figure StrataSYS machine, and everything in between. This method of manufacturing has opened the door to a whole new assortment of design possibilities. Multiple clients are currently pursuing patents based on parts designed around 3D printing as their manufacturing method. Parts that formerly required complex machining or intricate, multi-step molds can now be printed for a very reasonable cost. Watching this advancement in the industry and even better, being in a position to help with both the design and manufacture of these new breakthroughs, is everything I hoped for as an engineer.



Privacy

Working with clients who are developing new technologies or pursuing patents rightfully necessitates a level of privacy and data security. As such, I do not advertise my clients nor the parts that I make. All part and design data is transferred to and stored in a secure offline data storage system.

FAQ



What is Madison 3D parts?

Madison 3D Parts is your on call engineer and plastic parts shop. Our job is to get working parts in your hands quickly and for a fair price.

What services do you offer?

Madison 3D parts offers mechanical design work, 3D printing, and consulting on anything related to those fields.

Why choose Madison 3D Parts?

For small business turnaround times with a professional level of quality. We are no fluff, just printers and parts. Often times parts can be in your hands as soon as tomorrow and minimal overhead costs keep our prices low.

What are the capabilities of your 3D printers?

We primarily do resin printing. Resin printers are best at making small, detailed, relatively high toleranced parts. They can also make many parts at once. We also use filament printers which are better for large, extra durable, or highly chemical or weather resistant parts. Our largest printers are roughly 16" x 16" x 19".

When do I 3D print instead of mold?

If you are still designing or may modify the part, 3D printing allows changes without expensive and time consuming mold modifications. If your part is fully designed, I have found the cost break-point to be around 10,000 pieces for small parts with our prices.

Can you make my part in this material?

We use open source printers and programs so we are not bound by any one company's material list. Odds are we can print what you need.

What if you can't print my part?

While 3D printing has become quite versatile, it is not appropriate in all applications. Our goal is to get parts in your hands, even if someone else makes it. If the design is something we are unable to make, we will help get you started with one of our favorite local machine shops or molders.

What are your rates/prices?

I don't have exact rates because I prefer to approach each part or project individually. But let me say this: I am an engineer because I love this work. I'm here to solve problems and get you parts. If I could do this for free, I would. But we all need some money to live so with that in mind, I charge a reasonable rate.

How do the 3D printers work?

Filament printers work by melting a string of plastic and moving a small nozzle around to make a pattern. Once the pattern is complete, the nozzle moves up a fraction of a milimeter and does the next pattern. This continues for hundreds or sometimes thousands of layers until the part is built.

Resin printers still build in layers but the process is very different. A UV sensitive liquid plastic, or resin, is placed in a vat with a clear bottom. A metal plate is then moved incredibly close to the bottom of that vat. A high resoultion UV screen flashes the desired pattern for a few seconds which hardens the resin. The metal plate then moves up very slightly and the next image is flashed and repeat until the part is built.