We use our smarts versus brute expensive technological force to maximize model output for every hour we spend on your project. We deliver unsurpassed value and quality per dollar spent compared to the other service bureaus out there. It's all about focusing work on the areas that count the most for high impact while cutting out unnecessay time wasted on unnoticed areas. This allows us to price very competitively and over deliver on quality.

Personal Attention

We work closely with all of our clients to deliver high-quality models that accurately reflect your vision. From concept to completion, we make the transition seamless, so you can focus on creating. Our business model is built on personal attention, great service, exceptional methods and materials, and affordable prices. We’re always just a phone call away.

Superior Craftsmanship

The Solid-Ideas team is made up of engineers and craftsmen from Apple Computer, 3M, Northrop, Rand, Caterpillar and Mori Seiki. We use the latest technology and best methods in our state-of-the-art facilities to bring your ideas to life.

Fast and Affordable

Our experts optimize your project by matching the right materials with the best pricing. We work around the clock to get you your models when you need them. We maintain a low overhead by running a tight ship, and we pass that savings to you!

Engineering Check Model

We highly recommend a check model to illustrate complex engineering issues. These models integrate all disciplines to provide a clear, overall picture of how multiple systems interact. Our check models are a proven way to discover and resolve problems before manufacturing.

Marketing Model

Prove your design and concept so clients and investors fully understand and appreciate what you are working on. Create several copies and samples of your product for demonstrative use.

Sales Display

Let us create a cutaway model of your product, or change the scale as a means of highlighting unique key features. Lightweight copies of your product are excellent sales tools for day-to-day use, tradeshows, and seminars.

Demonstration Model

Have product parts available for tradeshows and engineering evaluations before completion of production. Demonstration models beautifully depict how your idea works. Great for tradeshows, displays, demonstration booths, and more.

Proofing Model

Using customer supplied CAD information, Solid-Ideas can proof final designs and verify information prior to expensive retooling production. Test your design in its conceptual stage when changes are most affordable, and proportion and weak areas are more easily identifiable.

Photo Model

Advertise new products before they are available by photographing a model.

Courtroom Litigation Model

Use a model of your evidence as a visual aid during your next case.

Awards Model

Models are often used as awards for VIPs and for significant presentations.

Short Run Production

We offer several techniques that allow limited production runs at a reasonable cost. This is a perfect solution when your project does not warrant the cost of high-end production tooling.

Human Factors

We make it possible for you to conduct quality ergonomic studies through accurate representation models.

Even More Uses For 3D Printing

3D printing can be affordably used for tons of creative and manufacturing needs. We help clients create 3D molds, site models, massing models, tooling, art, new product development and much more.

Smart Technology

It's not just about having the latest technologies. It's knowing how to use them to produce the highest quality at the lowest cost.

Color / Monochrome 3D Printing

This is the only technology that produces a full-color 24-bit prototype and is recognized as the fastest model-making method, up to 5-10 times faster than competitive technologies. Fine model detail is built by incrementally layering and bonding successive cross-sections of a fine powder plaster. Accuracy is very fine at 650 DPI with layers as thin as .0035'' (the typical thickness of a sheet of paper).

The benefit of this process is that the parts can then be infiltrated (hardened) with a wide variety of materials to give the part different material properties such as hard and durable, waterproof, oil proof, flexible, high temp chemical, electroplated, and more.

3D Digital Scanning

We do High Resolution 3D Digitizing at your site or at our Rohnert Park Studio. Using the digital scanned file, we can then create digital enlargements out of foam, wood, metal, or plastic using our CNC Milling. We can also create reductions using our 3D Printer.

Laser Cutting

Our large format CO2 laser cutting service emits a precision beam allowing for high tolerances to be maintained while cutting and engraving a wide range of materials. The laser has a maximum cutting area of 51” x 34”.

5 Axis CNC Router

Machine complex 5 axis parts/tooling in wood, foam, aluminum, etc. in a 5’ x 10' x 3' work envelope.  Expect: great for larger models and tooling.

Software

• Rhino
• SolidWorks
• Sketchup Pro
• AutoCAD
• 3D StudioMAX

Model Making and Custom Fabrication

Pricing depends on level of detail, materials, and accuracy needed. We've succesfully completed many varieties of projects and understand how best to maximize your buget dollar. We'll write up a free line item quote for your project quickly so everything is as clear as possible. We want to work with you and within your budget. We pride ourselves on 'over-delivering'.

• $60 to $90 per hour

3D Printing (Color and Monochrome)

For just 3D Printing, pricing is a combination of how much material is used and how many hours it takes the printer to build your object. Typical jobs are $500 for small models to $3000 for large models.

• $7 per cubic inch of material used to build your model
• $70 per hour to build your model ($35 per hour for first-time customers)

CAD Modeling, File Fixing, Rendering & Animation

• $90 per hour

We operate in a five thousand square foot studio in the San Francisco Bay Area. We have succesfully produced hundreds of projects and look forward to working on yours. We are known for our sophisticated and creative methods, advanced equipment, variety of skill sets, and strict privacy of client projects. We’re continually working with new techniques and materials to raise the level of what is possible.

Oscar Sarlandt, Managing Partner and Engineer

Solid-Ideas was founded with the mission of providing outstanding service in rapid prototyping and product development to a variety of clients. Oscar brings with him 20 years of manufacturing engineering experience, including 3 years as an industrial engineer for 3M corporation. Oscar has been responsible for manufacturing transportation equipment at the military and commercial aircraft levels. He has designed and developed industrial pumps, compressors and solar turbines. He has honed his prototyping skills at a diverse roster of production companies including Northrop, Bombardier, Ingersoll Rand, Caterpillar, and 3M.

 

Personnel

Solid-Ideas was co-founded by an engineer and an artist, making us uniquely qualified for those difficult “right brain / left brain” jobs. Whether your project involves architecture, industrial design, topography, marketing or art, Solid-Ideas experts know the ins and outs of each industry. Our model makers have been building scale models and prototypes for over a decade, and we understand that the primary purpose of a model is to facilitate communication. With our extensive experience developing product concepts and creating rapid prototypes from CAD files, you get tangible results that are ready for patenting, marketing, and engineering.

MODEL MAKER

Rohnert Park, California

Solid-Ideas is seeking a mid to senior level model maker to build models for our architectual and industrial design clients. You need to have at least 2 to 4 years experience with traditional model making methods in a professional model shop or college. We are looking for people who understand how to work ‘smart’ and get the most visual impact from a model while staying within budget and on time. Our studio is creative and growing. We need passionate model makers to help us get to the next level.

JOB QUALIFICATIONS

• Excellent hand skills and experience constructing traditional models and prototypes
• Knowledge of model making tools, processes and techniques (wood, foam, plexi, etc.)
• Creating terrain, scaled trees, and landscape techniques
• Can view a CAD model on computer screen as 'directions' for assembling parts into the final physical model
• Skill with gluing (wet welding) plexi parts together, and other forms of gluing
• Finishing techniques (high quality spray painting, hand texture detailing, color mixing)
• Knowledge of materials and supplies from model supply shops
• Strong work ethic, self-motivated, highly organized, and good interpersonal skills
• Able to work evenings and weekends during busy periods and under stressful deadlines
• Experience with architecture, engineering, industrial design, fine art, or graphic design a plus
• Experience with electronics a plus
• Skill with Studio Max, Rhino, Sketchup a plus

COMPENSATION: $15.00 to $20.00 an hour based on experience, skill set, and work samples. This is a trial contract to determine salary for a full-time position.

Principals only. Recruiters, please don't contact us. Please, no phone calls about this job!

HOW TO APPLY:

Send us a brief email telling us why you are the right person, your past experience, your specific skills, some references, and include images of your best work or a link to your online portfolio. Please apply only if you are a US citizen, have a valid green card or a work visa. Send your email to: keith@solid-ideas.com.

SOLID-IDEAS TERMS AND CONDITIONS

Last updated: June 2013

The following are terms of a legal agreement between you and Solid-Ideas LLC and its affiliates (collectively, “Solid-Ideas”, “we”, “us” or “our”). These terms and conditions govern your use of the services we offer. By using our services, you acknowledge to have read, understood and agree to be bound by these “Terms and Conditions” and to comply with all applicable laws and regulations.

Payments

Payment in full is usually required to begin any order. Payment arrangements may be made for high dollar jobs, always requiring payment for 50% of total job cost up front and final payment due at time of service/product delivery.

Payment Methods

For ACH debits to your checking/savings account, you understand that because these are electronic transactions, these funds may be withdrawn from your account immediately. In the case of an ACH Transaction being rejected for Non Sufficient Funds (NSF) you understand that Solid-Ideas may at its discretion attempt to process the charge again within 30 days, and agree to an additional $34.00 charge for each attempt returned NSF which will be initiated as a separate transaction from the authorized payment. You acknowledge that the origination of ACH transactions to your account must comply with the provisions of U.S. law. You certify that you are an authorized user of submitted credit card/bank account and will not dispute the transaction with your bank or credit card company; so long as the transaction corresponds to the terms indicated by the invoice and in this agreement.

Shipping

We use Fedex, UPS, and Freight Service to deliver models to our clients. While we do our best to package models for safe transport, Solid-Ideas is not liable for any loss, damage, breakage, or cost caused during delivery. Solid-Ideas is also not liable for any delay in shipping. Title and risk of loss is transferred upon delivery to the chosen carrier for shipment.

Order Cancellation

If you cancel your order after it goes into production, any payment made to us is forfeited.

Returns and Repairs

Due to our services and products being custom one-of-a-kind deliverables, we do not offer refunds. You understand the nature of 3D printing and model making and that breakage, color shifting, and surface finish irregularities can occur. Therefore, our models and services are delivered 'as-is'. If you determine the product or service is faulty within 5 days of receiving the item and believe you are entitled to a replacement part or model repair, please contact us. Do not return the model unless we require you to do so. It is Solid-Ideas discretion if any repairs or replacement parts will be done at our cost.

Product / Service Warranty

Solid-Ideas makes no warranty. To the fullest extent permitted by law, Solid-Ideas hereby expressly disclaims any representations or warranties of any kind, expressed or implied, including without limitation warranties of fitness for any particular purpose, or non-infringment.

Disclaimer or Liability / Indemification

These Terms and Conditions set out the full extent of our obligations and liabilities in respect of Solid-Ideas services. Except as set out below, there are no warranties, conditions or other terms that are binding on us regarding the supply of services except as expressly stated in these terms and conditions. Any warranty, condition or other term arising out of or in connection with the Services or the delivered models which might otherwise be implied into or incorporated into these terms and conditions by statute, common law, laws applicable in the country where you ordered the services or otherwise (including without limitation any implied term as to quality, fitness for purpose, reasonable care and skill) is hereby expressly excluded.

Solid-Ideas, LLC and its officers, directors, employees, subsidiaries, affiliates, and representatives will not be responsible, or liable, for any damages of any kind including, without limitation, personal injury, loss of contracts, loss of data, lost business or profits, direct, indirect, incidental, consequential, compensatory, exemplary, special or punitive damages that may result from your use of our product or services. Except to the extent permitted by law, Solid-Ideas, LLC also disclaims all liability -howsoever arising- in connection with any loss, damage, and/or financial expense arising from its models/products.

Solid-Ideas, LLC shall have no liability to you for delay or failure to carry out its obligations to any customer due to delays, inaccuracies, errors in, or for any actions taken in reliance thereon or occasioned thereby, or for reasons beyond Solid-Ideas, LLC’s control, including without limitation, acts of God, war or terrorism, natural disasters, changes in or compliance with laws, regulations or governmental policies, and/or shortages of supplies and services. Solid-Ideas, LLC may extend delivery of an order so affected without liability to the customer, except for the return of any payment made by the customer to Solid-Ideas, with respect to any undelivered portion of the order so canceled.

Applicable Law

These Terms and Conditions shall be governed by the laws of California, USA, without regard to the conflicts of law principles thereof that would apply the law of any jurisdiction other than California, USA. Any and all disputes arising from these Terms and Conditions, including disputes relating to the validity thereof, and any disputes related to the use of the Solid-Ideas Services or Website or relating to the models ordered and delivered, shall be brought in the federal and state courts located San Francisco, California, USA.