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Mechanical

CAD Workflow

How to run a CAD-first design process without stalling the build.

1 min readUpdated Jul 15, 2026

CAD is not a drawing exercise; it is how you find interference and weight problems before you cut aluminium. A CAD-first team iterates in minutes instead of Saturdays.

ProcessLink to this section

  1. Sketch the mechanism on paper with real dimensions.
  2. Model the field constraint volume first (18" cube, scoring geometry).
  3. Import vendor models rather than remodelling extrusion.
  4. Assemble, then check clearance through the full range of motion.
  5. Export drawings with tolerances before manufacturing.