FAQ

You do! We provide you with everything that belongs to your project upon completion of our scope of work.

CAD stands for Computer-Aided Design. This refers to a variety of different software packages available to designers, where they can create 3D models of their designs.

We generally provide all the design files associated with your project that we have used in throughout the design phase. If there is something specific that is required, we will do our best to accommodate your needs.

A prototype refers to a preliminary physical representation of a design. In general, your design either starts on paper or in CAD software. Once a design has reached a point of testing viability it can be made through a variety of different processes. Some of the most common ones are, 3D Printing, CNC Machining, and Casting.

We do all our CAD designing in Solidworks. We use a few other programs in order to do certain tasks as well if we find that Solidworks is not able to accomplish what we need.

3D printing is available in a few different technologies. The most common ones used today are FDM (Fused Deposition Modeling), SLA (Stereolithography), and SLS (Selective Laser Sintering). Each of these technologies has its pros and cons so understanding your design is crucial in choosing which technology to use.

Yes, some of the scanners we use can capture color texture in the form of a separate texture map file that can be applied to your model after post-processing. Please see our gallery images for some examples of before and after files with texture, maps applied.

This is often the biggest misconception in understanding what a scanner can do. In short, a scanner can only capture what it can see, so how much of your object is captured is solely dependent on your object’s geometry and how well you can position the scanner in order to capture its shape. There will almost always be cases where the scanner simply can’t reach an area and, in these instances, there will be no data captured. This data can later be digitally reconstructed using other means.

Scan data in general is only editable in very basic ways. If you want a fully editable Parasolid model you will require Kemperle Industries Reverse Engineering services. With these services, we can take scan data and create fully editable models in CAD software.

Almost anything however there are certain cases where some surface types and colors can cause issues. Deep blacks, shiny chrome, and transparent parts are some of the most difficult to capture, and in certain cases require a dulling spray to be used for the scanner to capture the surface.

Depending on the scanner used you can achieve an accuracy as low as .0009” giving you the ability to capture even the smallest details accurately.

The standard file received is either an STL or OBJ file. In the case of an OBJ file if requested a texture map file can be provided as well.

In almost all cases the original is fully preserved. There are a small set of circumstances where there may be internal geometry on a part that is otherwise not accessible, requiring the part to be segmented in order to gain access to the inside.

It will be digitally accurate to the original, but what process is chosen afterward to create the new part will determine if the new part matches the old physically.

There is no definitive answer to this. Usually, a combination of both methods is used to recreate parts. Scanning an original allows you to have a very accurate digital representation of the part which you can then use to recreate a new one. Sometimes the scanner can’t capture everything, and you may need to manually measure a feature.

Generally, parts that are reverse engineered are as accurate as their originals with the added benefit of having new CAD data that can be further manipulated and its specifications changed to suit the new applications.

Reverse Engineering generally works in one of two ways or a combination of both. The most common method is using a 3D scanner to capture the object’s shape digitally. This data can then be used as a reference point for creating new CAD data. The other method is to take very precise measurements of the object using a variety of different tools, which can then be translated into CAD data. Many times, a combination of both methods is used.

Yes, in most cases that is the main goal of  Reverse Engineering. It’s so a designer can capture the original design intent and build upon and further improve its design.

This depends on the rubber used to make the mold itself. Some rubbers are more archival than others and will have a longer shelf life due to this. The process of casting and removing the castings also takes its toll on the mold over time and there is a point in which the mold will no longer be adequate for use.

This depends on the materials selected for the mold, as well as the material used for casting. There is no definitive number but we make sure to choose the right molding materials prior to the start of your project based on the amount of castings you are looking to do, as well as any future casting projections.

In most cases the answer is yes. However, there are times where the geometry being molded is so challenging that removing the mold can cause damage to the original. We try to avoid this as often as possible, but if it’s not possible you will be notified prior to any molding.

In general no, this is a very difficult task to do without affecting the master objects shape. There are however certain circumstances where very minor things can be fixed due to damage or other unforeseen circumstances.

Most molds are reusable several times as that is their primary purpose. However, depending on the rubber used to make the mold some will have a shorter shelf life and wear out faster than others. It’s important to know what your required longevity and durability are when designing a mold.

There are a few different mold types. Some of the most popular are Matrix (or Jacket), Fiberglass, Injection, and Vacuum.

Yes, certain inspection can be done onsite this just depends on the requirements and environmental conditions.

No part inspection is not an intrusive process and does not affect the original part.

This depends on what information you require. In general, the original CAD data is used to check that the premanufactured part is within the original specified tolerances. The CAD data however is not required if the area of the part you are looking to inspect has verified tolerances to which we can reference.

There is no set interval for this, but good practice is to inspect a healthy pre-production sample size, and once you have entered the manufacturing stage to setup a reoccurring inspection interval in order to maintain consistency throughout the life cycle of the part.

This depends on the geometry of the part and how complex of an inspection is required. In general, the more features and surfaces that require inspection the longer the process can take. Inspection can happen in as little as one day for small sample sizes or a week and more for much larger ones.

No part requires inspection, however inspecting your parts is a good practice and one that can save you a lot of money in the long run should there be any issues.

Our projects tend to be mostly our own however we can certainly integrate ourselves into your already existing project should there be a specific task you want us to handle.

While most of our production runs tend to be much shorter than traditional ones, we can accommodate longer runs should the need arise.

Yes, we design parts for injection molding all the time. We work with several different facilities, so we cover a wide range of capabilities.

Yes, we have used 3D printers to do production runs of parts. This will depend on your part and its physical requirements but it’s certainly something we can accommodate.

We tend to stay in our zone however in many cases we can offer transitional assistance should you require more traditional manufacturing needs.

While we generally don’t put a number on this our service is more catered to smaller numbers. Anywhere from 1-1000 is the general zone we work in. Were flexible though so depending on the circumstances we can accommodate your needs if there greater than that.

IoT stands for internet of things. This is a category of smart devices that you generally find in homes or certain business. These devices are considered smart because they are connected to the internet allowing you to do a variety of different things with them. It includes devices such as Lights, Doorbells, Cameras, Robot Vacuums, Irrigation, TV’s and Digital Assistants.

NVR stands for Network Video Recorder. This is a device that connects to your network and records all the activity from the cameras that are plugged into it. This is a key component of standalone security systems as all your cameras are attached to the NVR and the NVR records everything your cameras see.

POE stands for power over ethernet. This term is used when a device is POE enabled. Devices that are powered by POE do not require a separate power supply in order to run them. They simple plug into a network switch or POE adapter which provide the power over a network cable. This allows for much easier and simpler wiring and installation.

In general, most homes can be wired for networking, however the ease of retrofitting depends on the type of structure the desired work is being done too. The best time to do wiring is during initial framing and construction. When all the walls are exposed, we can come in and layout all the wiring and network jacks to your exact specifications.

Yes, we build custom computers all the time. If you have a specific set of requirements and specifications, we can design around that. Otherwise just tell us what you need the computer for, and we can handle the rest.

Yes, we have worked with many smart home, and IoT devices. Things like lights, locks, cameras, and digital assistants all fall under this category.