SFDesign
SFDesign is a Perth-based Australian engineering, drafting, and 3D scanning firm serving mining, defence, and infrastructure clients with multidisciplinary design services, consignment staffing, and value-added resale of Markforged 3D printers, Smap3D software, and Dexter robotic arms.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2008
- HeadquartersBentley, Australia
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What SFDesign does
SFDesign PTY LTD is a Perth-headquartered, privately held Australian engineering and drafting services firm founded in 2008 by James Staples. The company provides multidisciplinary engineering (mechanical, structural, civil, and piping), advanced FEA analysis, 3D laser scanning and reverse engineering, and consignment staff augmentation services to mining, resources, defence, infrastructure, and heavy equipment clients across offices in Perth, Gold Coast, Adelaide, Melbourne, and Brisbane. Its core technology stack spans SolidWorks, Autodesk Inventor, Creo, and SolidEdge for CAD; Nei Nastran, Abaqus, and ANSYS for simulation; and terrestrial and metrology-grade 3D laser scanners (2mm accuracy at 120-300m, 200 microns at 3m) for point cloud capture and reverse engineering.
Beyond pure services, SFDesign operates as a multi-brand VAR in Australia, holding reseller rights for Markforged industrial 3D printers (Metal X metal printing and continuous carbon fibre composite systems), the Smap3D Plant Design software suite (P&ID, 3D Piping, Isometric, ScanToCAD, Steel modules integrating with SolidWorks and SolidEdge), and Haddington Dynamics Dexter 7-axis robotic arms (covering Australia and New Zealand). The firm also runs SFDesign Academy, providing certified training in additive manufacturing and Design for Additive Manufacturing (DfAM). Revenue mechanics combine professional services (project-based and consignment staffing, typically multi-year contracts), hardware resale (3D printers, robotic arms), software licensing (Smap3D), and training fees; pricing is uniformly quote-based with no public disclosure. The firm joined AMTIL in 2019 as an Additive Manufacturing HUB Member and has built a dedicated SFDesign Defence division with 35+ specialised staff for marine and land-based defence projects.
SFDesign firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- SFDesign
- Legal name
- SFDesign PTY LTD
- Website
- https://sfdesign.com.au
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2008
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- SFDesign is a Perth-based Australian engineering, drafting, and 3D scanning firm serving mining, defence, and infrastructure clients with multidisciplinary design services, consignment staffing, and value-added resale of Markforged 3D printers, Smap3D software, and Dexter robotic arms.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
SFDesign industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Engineering and Drafting Services
- NAICS
- Architectural, Engineering, and Related Services (5413), Industrial Design Services (541420)
- SIC
- Services-Engineering Services (8711)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Product Design & Mechanical Engineering Consulting (BPAHAIAJ)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Prototype Metrology, Inspection & Reverse Engineering (Prototype-Focused) (IMAAAFAN), Production Design & Detailed Engineering (3D CAD, Drawings, BOM, Nesting) (IMAJAGAK), Aerospace & Defense Additive Service Providers (qualified parts, traceability) (IMAAADAH)
Keywords
Where SFDesign is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Bentley
- HQ country
- Australia
- HQ region
- Oceania
Offices7 records
Markets served
SFDesign business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Supply Chain, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Operations
Revenue model
- Engineering & Drafting Services: Professional drafting and engineering services including mechanical, structural, civil, and piping design. Services include concept to fabrication drawings, shop detailing, engineering verification, and advanced FEA analysis.
- Consignment Staff Services: Placement of expert designers and draftspersons to work in client offices, providing scalable workforce solutions without full-time hiring commitments.
- Markforged 3D Printer Resale: Value Added Reseller of Markforged industrial 3D printers (Metal X and composite printers) and associated materials in Australia.
- Smap3D Software Resale: Australian reseller for Smap3D Plant Design software including P&ID, Piping, Isometric, ScanToCAD, and Steel modules for SolidWorks and SolidEdge.
- SFDesign Academy Training: Additive manufacturing and 3D printing training programs including 3D printing basics (1-day) and Design for Additive Manufacturing (3-day) courses.
- Haddington Robotics Resale: Australian Retailer for Dexter robotic arms, including DIY kits and assembled units, with 'Makecation' build assistance.
- Laser Scanning Services: Terrestrial and metrology 3D scanning with point cloud conversion and reverse engineering services.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Other | Multi-year contract | Professional Services - Drafting & Engineering |
| Other | Multi-year contract | Consignment Staff Services |
| Other | Multi-year contract | Markforged 3D Printers |
| Other | Multi-year contract | SFDesign Academy Training |
Go-to-market motion3 records
Distribution channels6 records
Marketing channels7 records
SFDesign product offering
Product offeringCore offering
SFDesign provides multidisciplinary engineering, drafting, and design services (mechanical, structural, civil, piping) for mining, defence, infrastructure, oil and gas, and manufacturing clients, from concept through fabrication and installation drawings. The company also performs 3D laser scanning (terrestrial and metrology), reverse engineering, advanced FEA analysis, consignment designer placement, and serves as the Australian Value Added Reseller for Markforged industrial 3D printers, Smap3D Plant Design software, and Haddington Dynamics Dexter robotic arms.
Product overview
SFDesign is a Perth and Melbourne-based engineering and drafting company providing a comprehensive suite of design solutions. The company operates as both a service provider and software reseller. Core services include drafting and design (mechanical, structural, civil, piping), laser scanning (terrestrial, metrology, reverse engineering), engineering (FEA, fatigue, dynamic, CFD analysis), and consignment staff augmentation. As an Australian reseller, SFDesign distributes Markforged industrial 3D printers (metal and composite) and the Smap3D Plant Design software suite for SolidWorks and SolidEdge (P&ID, 3D Piping, Isometrics, ScanToCAD, Steel modules). The Smap3D products form an integrated process chain for plant design. Additional offerings include the Dexter robotic arm from Haddington Dynamics and SFDesign Academy for additive manufacturing training.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Smap3D: Integrated software solution for 2D/3D plant and piping design - SFDesign is the Australian reseller for Smap3D Plant Design
- SFDesign Academy
- Markforged Australia
- Haddington Dynamics Australia
- SFDesign Defence
Products and services
- Drafting and Design Services Complete Perth and Gold Coast drafting service taking projects from concept through to fabrication and installation drawings, serving mining, resources, construction, and other industries. Includes shop detailing expertise and scalable designer resources.
- 3D Laser Scanning Services
- Engineering Services
- Consignment Designers Service
- Defence Engineering Services
- Markforged 3D Printers (VAR Distribution)
- Smap3D Plant Design Software (VAR Distribution)
- Dexter Robotic Arm (Retail Distribution)
- SFDesign Academy Training
Quantifiable outcome
- Stanley Black Decker reduced manufacturing costs with 92% and reduced time to market with 95% using additive manufacturing technology
- +3 more outcomes
Companies that use SFDesign
Customer profileNamed customers6 records
Segments8 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
SFDesign technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration3 records
Feature10 records
SFDesign partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Eight partnerships are on record, tiered core.
- Smap3DcoreSFDesign is the Australian reseller for Smap3D Plant Design software. Smap3D is an integrated software solution for 2D/3D plant and piping design including P&ID, Piping, Isometric, ScanToCAD, and Steel modules that work with SolidWorks and SolidEdge.
- MarkforgedcoreSFDesign is a leading Australian Value Added Reseller of Markforged 3D printers including Metal X (metal printing) and industrial composite printers. Markforged is the market leading provider of industrial 3D printers for metals and continuous carbon fibre composites.
- Haddington DynamicscoreSFDesign is the Australian Retailer for Dexter robotic arms. Dexter is a 7-axis, 3D-printed reconfigurable robot with haptic technology, sold as DIY kits or assembled units.
- AMTIL (Australian Manufacturing Technology Institute)coreSFDesign is a member of AMTIL, the peak national body representing manufacturing technology suppliers. Membership provides access to the Additive Manufacturing Network, exclusive industry news, marketing exposure, government representation, and networking opportunities.
- SolidWorks (Dassault Systèmes)coreSFDesign is a certified SolidWorks reseller and training expert. Employees are recognized as certified parametric software professionals.
- Autodesk (Inventor)coreSFDesign utilizes Autodesk Inventor for CAD design work. Staff have extensive experience with third-party libraries and APIs.
- Nei Nastran, Abaqus, ANSYScoreSFDesign utilizes advanced FEA software including Nei Nastran, Abaqus, and ANSYS for structural analysis, dynamic analysis, and computational fluid dynamics.
- ISOGEN / ALIAS (Intergraph)coreSmap3D Isometric uses ISOGEN from market leading ALIAS (Intergraph) as the basis software for generating pipeline isometric drawings.
Scale indicators5 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
SFDesign competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Materialise: Materialise combines industrial 3D printing services with Magics software and medical/industrial design across Europe and globally. Directly comparable to SFDesign's combination of additive manufacturing services, software resale (Smap3D), and industrial design services.
- Protolabs: Protolabs operates a global on-demand digital manufacturing platform spanning CNC, injection molding, sheet metal, and industrial 3D printing with embedded design and engineering services. Highly comparable to SFDesign's combination of 3D printing service bureau work, mechanical design, and rapid prototyping for mining, defence, and industrial customers.
- Xometry: Xometry is an on-demand marketplace for CNC, sheet metal, and 3D printing services with embedded quoting and design tooling. Compares to SFDesign's industrial 3D printing service, laser scanning, and design offering for enterprise customers in mining and manufacturing.
- GoEngineer: GoEngineer is a large SolidWorks, Markforged, and Stratasys VAR delivering software resale, training, and engineering services across the western US. Its hybrid software/AM VAR plus technical services model closely mirrors SFDesign's Smap3D and Markforged distribution with design services in Australia.
- Hawk Ridge Systems: Hawk Ridge Systems is a North American SolidWorks/Stratasys VAR that pairs CAD/CAM/PLM software resale with engineering services, training, and 3D printing distribution. Closest business model analog to SFDesign's combination of SolidWorks/SolidEdge/Smap3D software resale plus Markforged hardware plus consignment design services.
Broad incumbents
- Worley: Worley is the largest Australian-listed engineering and project delivery firm for energy, mining, and resources. Comparable to SFDesign in customer base (mining/resources) and core services (mechanical/structural/piping design) but at vastly greater scale and enterprise reach.
- Aurecon: Aurecon is a large Australian-headquartered engineering, advisory, and asset management consultancy serving mining, defence, infrastructure, and industrial clients. Overlaps with SFDesign's mechanical, structural, civil, and piping engineering work but at substantially greater scale and breadth.
- 3D Systems: 3D Systems is a global incumbent in metal and polymer 3D printing systems, on-demand manufacturing services, and design software. SFDesign competes in the same end-customer workflows (printing, scanning, design) from the Australian channel and services side.
- Desktop Metal: Desktop Metal is a leading provider of metal additive manufacturing systems competing directly with Markforged in the segment that SFDesign resells in Australia. Relevant as an upstream OEM whose products and pricing shape SFDesign's VAR competitive position.
- Stratasys: Stratasys is a global incumbent in industrial polymer and additive manufacturing systems and services. Comparable to SFDesign in the AM technology layer, though Stratasys operates as the OEM/vendor side while SFDesign is the local Australian VAR and services partner.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
SFDesign social profiles
Digital presenceSFDesign financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
SFDesign leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles1 record
SFDesign funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
SFDesign M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about SFDesign
What does SFDesign do?
SFDesign provides multidisciplinary engineering, drafting, and design services (mechanical, structural, civil, piping) for mining, defence, infrastructure, oil and gas, and manufacturing clients, from concept through fabrication and installation drawings. The company also performs 3D laser scanning (terrestrial and metrology), reverse engineering, advanced FEA analysis, consignment designer placement, and serves as the Australian Value Added Reseller for Markforged industrial 3D printers, Smap3D Plant Design software, and Haddington Dynamics Dexter robotic arms.
Is SFDesign a public or private company?
SFDesign is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was SFDesign founded?
SFDesign was founded in 2008. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is SFDesign based?
SFDesign is headquartered in Bentley, Australia, in the Oceania region.
How does SFDesign make money?
Seven revenue lines are on record. Engineering & Drafting Services are the primary driver. The others are consignment Staff Services, markforged 3D Printer Resale, smap3D Software Resale, SFDesign Academy Training, haddington Robotics Resale and laser Scanning Services.
Who are SFDesign's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Materialise, Protolabs, Xometry, GoEngineer and Hawk Ridge Systems. Broad incumbents are Worley, Aurecon, 3D Systems, Desktop Metal and Stratasys.
Does SFDesign have an API?
No public API is recorded for SFDesign.
What industry is SFDesign in?
SFDesign's product category is Engineering and Drafting Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is BPAHAIAJ, Product Design & Mechanical Engineering Consulting, with a secondary code of IMAAAFAN, Prototype Metrology, Inspection & Reverse Engineering (Prototype-Focused). Its NAICS code is 5413 and its SIC code is 8711.