By Mike Moussa, PE — We’re based in Wichita Falls, Texas, in the heart of oil country. We’ve built custom parts for drilling operations, production facilities, and oilfield service companies. Here’s what 3D printing and rapid manufacturing can do for oil & gas. Common Oil & Gas Applications Custom Tool Adapters and Fittings When you […]
By Mike Moussa, PE — Most of our clients don’t start with a CAD file. They start with a sketch, a broken part, or just an idea. Here’s how we turn concepts into manufacturable designs. What We Actually Do Product design isn’t just making a pretty 3D model. It’s designing a part that: Works — […]
By Mike Moussa, PE — Urethane casting is the process most inventors and startups don’t know about. It fills the gap between 3D printing and injection molding, and it can save you thousands. What Is Urethane Casting? Urethane casting (also called polyurethane casting or vacuum casting) uses silicone molds to produce parts from liquid polyurethane […]
By Mike Moussa, PE — We do both CNC machining and 3D printing in our shop. Here’s how we decide which process to use for each project. The Fundamental Difference CNC machining starts with a block of material and removes everything that isn’t your part (subtractive). 3D printing starts with nothing and builds your part […]
By Mike Moussa, PE — 3D printing isn’t magic and it isn’t a fad. Here’s an honest look at when it genuinely helps small businesses and when traditional manufacturing is the better call. When 3D Printing Makes Sense for Your Business 1. Custom One-Off Parts Need a specific bracket, adapter, mount, or enclosure that doesn’t […]
By Mike Moussa, PE — You have a physical part but no drawings or CAD files. Here’s how we turn objects into digital models you can modify, manufacture, and archive. Why Reverse Engineering? Common scenarios we see every week: Legacy parts with no drawings — the original manufacturer is gone, the engineer retired, the files […]
By Mike Moussa, PE — We run both SLA and FDM printers daily. Here’s when each one makes sense, based on real projects — not marketing brochures. The Quick Answer Use FDM when you need strong, functional parts at the lowest cost. Use SLA when you need smooth surfaces, fine details, or tight tolerances. That […]
By Mike Moussa, PE — Here’s exactly what happens when you bring a sketch to a prototype shop. No mystery, no jargon, no surprises. What You Need to Get Started You don’t need a CAD model. You don’t need a patent. You don’t need a business plan. Here’s what actually helps: A sketch — hand-drawn […]
By Mike Moussa, PE — Yes, I run a prototype company, so I’m biased. But I’ve also been in this industry long enough to know the difference between shops that help inventors and shops that exploit them. Here’s what I’d look for if I were in your shoes. The Three Types of “Prototype Companies” 1. […]
By Mike Moussa, PE — mechanical engineer and founder of PartSnap. This is the advice I give every first-time inventor who calls our shop. First: Take a Breath Having an invention idea is exciting. But the worst thing you can do right now is rush to spend money. Before you call a patent attorney, before […]