Engineering
The platform behind every print
The storefront is the part you see. Behind it is a platform we design and build in-house: 3D model analysis that runs in your browser, custom extensions to our commerce backend, and automation that takes an order from upload to build plate. This page covers what is running in production today and what we're building next.
Storefront and model analysis
Real-time analysis and pricing for customer 3D models, built on Next.js, Web Workers and React Three Fiber.
In-browser model analysis
LiveUploaded STL, OBJ and Lychee files are analyzed on the customer's own device in Web Workers: SHA-256 fingerprinting, geometry parsing, volume and bounding-box measurement, automatic orientation (PCA alignment and base-face detection), support-need detection and voxelization. Customers get a price before a single byte is uploaded.
Off-thread preview rendering
LiveEach model gets a 1024×1024 preview rendered with OffscreenCanvas and a shared WebGL renderer, streamed back progressively so large batches stay responsive.
Instant quoting against the live catalog
LiveMeasured dimensions are matched to print variants and regional pricing from our commerce backend, so quotes always reflect current products and promotions.
Secure direct-to-storage uploads
LiveModel files go straight from the browser to Cloudflare R2 using short-lived presigned URLs. Files are never public.
Print bundles in the cart
LiveEach model carries its finishing options (sanding, washing, base paint, manual supports) as linked line items that stay in sync as quantities change.
Commerce backend extensions
Custom modules, workflows and admin tools built on the open-source Medusa commerce platform.
Custom-print order viewer
LiveAn admin extension that shows staff every uploaded model on an order (dimensions, volume, estimated print time, chosen variant and preview) with one-click secure download.
Signed model downloads
LiveAdmin-only API routes issue short-lived signed links to customer models and previews in R2, keeping customer files private end to end.
Order confirmation workflow
LiveA single workflow sends the customer a branded confirmation email and pushes an instant alert to the production team the moment an order lands.
Branded transactional email
LiveA custom notification provider sends our own React Email templates for order confirmations, password resets and admin invites.
Print-variant data on the Store API
LiveMiddleware exposes the variant metadata the storefront needs to match an uploaded model to the right print product and price.
Promotion quantity rules
LiveAn admin extension adds "buy at least N" conditions to promotions, a rule the standard admin doesn't offer.
Print-workflow automation
Tooling that turns a queue of orders into full, verified build plates with as little hands-on time as possible.
Multi-order plate packing
In developmentCombines parts from different customer orders onto a single build plate to maximize machine utilization and order throughput.
Large-model decomposition and pre-print verification
In developmentSplits models that exceed a printer's build volume into printable sections, then verifies each section before it reaches a printer.
Automated print-failure detection
PlannedCamera-based monitoring on the print farm that flags failed prints early, so a job is re-queued in minutes instead of discovered hours later.
Production support planning
PlannedBrings the island detection and minimal-scar support placement from our research program into the production line, so every order is supported automatically.
How we build with AI
AI-assisted engineering
We build with AI coding agents, primarily Anthropic's Claude Code, across the storefront, commerce backend and geometry code. Agents plan, implement and test changes; every change is reviewed and approved by a person and must pass lint, tests and a production build before it ships. This lets a small team ship like a much larger one.
AI in our products
EngiNova applies generative 3D and mesh-processing models to kitbashing and miniature creation, with print constraints built into the pipeline. It is in development with a beta waitlist open.
Where our AI compute goes
EngiNova model experimentation and evaluation against our printability metrics, and agent-driven development of the print-workflow tooling above.
See where this is heading
Our research program and EngiNova show the next layer: generative 3D that is print-ready by design.
Your Ideas, Made Real.
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