Lucas Schneider

Lead CNC CAD & Vector Optimization Specialist

cnc-tool • Freelance

Jul 2026 - Present • 1 mo

Specialized CNC CAD Designer and Vector Graphics Engineer focused on converting complex artwork, technical sketches, and custom sign concepts into machine-ready vector files for CNC routers, laser cutters, plasma cutters, and waterjets. KEY RESPONSIBILITIES & EXPERTISE: • Machine-Calibrated Vector Design: Engineer precision DXF, SVG, EPS, and AI files customized for specific CNC machines (AltMill, Shapeoko, X-Carve, Boss Laser, and industrial gantry systems). • Toolpath & Bit Geometry Clearance: Perform detailed internal clearance calculations for O-Flute bits (1/4", 1/8", 1/16"), V-bits, and end mills to ensure crisp typography corners, pocket clearance, and zero bit-collision during CAM toolpathing. • Multi-Layer Assembly & Wall Tolerance: Structure multi-layered 2D and 2.5D visual cutouts, ensuring strict wall-thickness tolerances across materials like HDU Corafoam, hardwood, aluminum, acrylic, and sheet metal. • Node Optimization & Path Closure: Clean up raw raster imagery and CAD exports by removing redundant nodes and closing open-loop paths to eliminate machining errors in VCarve Pro, Fusion 360, LightBurn, and AutoCAD. Consistently deliver high-precision DXF packages to sign makers, woodworkers, and metal fabricators worldwide, ensuring smooth feeds, zero material blowout, and fast production turnarounds.

Mechanical Product Design Engineer

Apex • Freelance

May 2026 - Present • 3 mos

Utilized SolidWorks to engineer complex mechanical components, multi-part assemblies, and functional consumer products from conceptual napkins sketches or physical design criteria. Developed fully parametric 3D CAD models prioritizing design-for-manufacturing (DFM) guidelines to ensure optimized production paths. Executed thorough global interference detection protocols, tolerance stack-up evaluations, and kinematic motion analyses within the assembly environment to systematically eliminate mechanical clearance conflicts prior to real-world manufacturing tooling. Appointed correct physical material properties, mass density settings, and architectural structural configurations to components. Generated comprehensive manufacturing documentation packages, including native SLDPRT/SLDASM files, high-fidelity photorealistic engineering presentations, and clean orthographic 2D technical drawing blueprints accompanied by an accurate Bill of Materials (BOM) for seamless machine shop execution.

Reverse Engineering & CAD Specialist

Reverse Aesthetics • Lavoratore autonomo

Apr 2026 - Present • 4 mos

Headed the reverse engineering pipeline focused on converting raw, uneditable 3D scan meshes and noisy point cloud data into production-grade parametric models. Handled highly dense, fragmented STL polygon wireframes, repairing structural mesh geometry defects, missing polygon facets, and scan surface noise. Established master reference datums, coordinate planes, and geometric symmetry lines to accurately trace real-world physical object data into digital spaces. Developed pristine, solid parametric features inside 3D CAD modeling software to guarantee tight engineering tolerances for mechanical components. Delivered fully manifold, manufacturing-ready STEP, STP, and IGES master solid files. The engineered models were successfully deployed by clients for rapid prototype injection molding, complex physical component casting simulations, and precise automated CNC machine milling toolpath generation with an exceptionally high success rate.