3DEROX - Projects
GM 3rd Gen F-Body Parts (Camaro, Firebird)
The project that started it all. While working on restoring his 1988 Trans Am GTA, Matt encountered a number of parts that were no longer available from GM, and didn't exist anywhere in the aftermarket. Parts like the up-stops for the driver and passenger windows, various plastic pieces that held the window glass to the metal channel, and other parts across the car. They were all plastic, relatively small, and seemed like they could be reverse-engineered.
On a whim, Matt picked up his first 3D Printer. Always having an interest in 3D Modeling and Design (mainly from a gaming standpoint), he decided to make the parts himself. With many attempts, careful measurements, and a limitless supply of patience, he successfully replicated all the parts necessary to complete the portions of the project car that were at a standstill waiting on parts that didn't exist. They did once more, with the Front Up Stops being the very first part completed.
As it turns out, many other people with 3rd Generation GM F-Bodies had the same issue finding these parts, and there was a market for reselling them. 3DeRox was born.
Reel Player Tackle
Rodney Ingram, the designer behind the fishing bobber at the heart of Reel Player Tackle, had a poor first experience with a designer attempting to bring his creation to life. Rodney had built a prototype of his fishing bobber, with drawings, designs, and ideas, and taken it to someone for help getting to the 3D Design phase. The designer took months, and in the end, failed to deliver anything tangible, delaying Rodney and his vision.
Matt previously worked with Rodney's brother, and was referred to him as someone who knew something about 3D Printing and design. The two ended up working together, through various design stages of the fishing bobber, and produced numerous 3D Printed prototypes. Through their collaboration, Rodney was able to file a patent on the new bobber design. Having tested the design, and done market research, they embarked on the final step - getting the parts Injection Molded for mass production. The 3D Drawings created through the process were used both for the Patent and the Injection Mold creation.
By the end of September, 2024 - Reel Player Tackle's Bobby B Fishing Bobber will have hit mass production.
New Sound Acoustics
Noel Rosa, the luthier behind New Sound Acoustics, was looking to make all of his guitar bodies in-house at the Catapult Makerspace. For many of his parts, he was forced to wait weeks for outside vendors to cut out his guitar necks, or guitar bodies, or bridges. He already had the drawings for his guitars in 2D, but needed them converted to 3D for use with a CNC Machine, so that he could start cutting the material himself.
Being a fellow member of the Catapult Makerspace, eventually he and Matt worked together on the drawings. The two successfully turned all of his existing drawings into 3D - a combined total of 23 different variations of guitar bodies and bridges, across 4 unique guitar models. Things went well enough that the pair also converted Noel's newly designed Guitar Case into a 3D Model as well, for future CNC and production when things are in full-swing with the guitars.
As of August, 2024, the first guitar bodies are being cut via CNC in-house at Catapult
Other Projects
3DeRox can handle many different ideas, from something as small as replicating a unique, old piece of cabinet molding, to a fully custom arcade cabinet design, or anything in between. Matt enjoys the challenges of 3D designing things, and bringing ideas to life.
