Leads & bookings
Describe a physical part so you can get it made
You will have a one-page part brief with measurements, tolerances and a sketch, ready to give to a maker or a design tool.
Before you start
- A simple part you need, such as a bracket, clip or holder
- A ruler or callipers
- The item it must fit
Why a brief comes first
Design tools can turn words into shapes, but they cannot know your real measurements or what the part must carry. A clear brief is what makes the result usable.
Step 1: Measure everything that matters
- Measure the item the part must fit, twice.
- Note any holes, edges or gaps.
- Write the load or weight it must carry.
- Note the material and how it will be made, such as 3D printing.
Step 2: Write the brief
Prompt you can copy
Help me write a one-page brief for a simple part. Purpose: [what it does]. Measurements: [sizes in millimetres]. Must carry: [weight]. Material and method: [for example plastic, 3D printed]. List any missing measurements I should take, and any safety risks. Do not guess dimensions.
Step 3: Check before you make it
- Compare every measurement in the design with your own.
- Make a cheap test version first.
- Do not use a home-made part where failure could hurt someone, such as for load-bearing, electrical or medical use.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Guessing a measurement
- Skipping a test version
- Using an untested part where safety matters
- Describing the shape but not the job
Final checklist
- I measured twice
- My brief has sizes and the load
- I made a cheap test first
- The part is not safety-critical