Prototype STL Mechanical Design

My product is already in the detailed design stage and I now need the 3D data refined for prototype development. The existing concept model has to be turned into accurate, watertight .STL files that include every mechanical component—mounts, fasteners, toleranced joints—as well as the functional-testing features that will let me validate fit, strength and ease of assembly straight off the printer.

A solid grasp of DfAM principles for both FDM and SLA printing will be crucial, along with an eye for clean geometry that slices reliably. If you prefer SolidWorks, Fusion 360, NX, or another mainstream CAD platform, that’s fine so long as the final exports meet the print bureau’s specs (0.2 mm tolerance, ≤0.1 mm gap on mating parts).

Deliverables
• Native CAD files of each part and the full assembly
• Ready-to-print, watertight .STL files
• A short drawing pack or annotated PDF capturing critical dimensions and material notes

Turnaround is flexible over the next week, but I’d like interim snapshots so we can lock dimensions before final export. If you’ve taken products from screen to functional prototype before, I’d like to see a brief example of similar mechanical work.