Precision CAD Generator V2

Generate precision CAD components (STEP/STL/IGES) from natural language or parameters using Build123d parametric modeling. This Actor exposes an MCP (Model Context Protocol) server that AI assistants like Claude can use to create CAD files.

Quick Start

1. Connect via MCP

Add this Actor as an MCP server in your Claude Desktop config:

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "precision-cad": {
      "url": "https://actors.apify.com/YOUR_ACTOR_ID/runs/last/mcp",
      "headers": {
        "Authorization": "Bearer YOUR_APIFY_TOKEN"
      }
    }
  }
}

Or use the Apify Standby URL:

https://YOUR_USERNAME--precision-cad-generator-v2.apify.actor/mcp

2. Ask Claude to Create CAD Parts

Once connected, you can ask Claude:

• "Create a mounting bracket 100x60mm with 4 M5 holes at the corners"
• "Generate a circular flange diameter 120mm with 6 bolt holes"
• "Make a stepped shaft: 30mm diameter for 40mm, then 20mm for 60mm"
• "Create a hexagonal nut M10"

Claude will use the MCP tools to generate your CAD files.

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Available MCP Tools

Core CAD Generation

Tool	Description
generate_cad_component	Generate parametric CAD from structured parameters
generate_cad_from_description	Generate CAD from natural language using AI (Gemini)
execute_build123d_code	Execute custom Build123d Python code

Validation & Export

Tool	Description
validate_for_manufacturing	Check manufacturability for CNC, FDM, SLA, etc.
export_component	Export to additional formats (STEP, STL, IGES, 3MF)
get_component_info	Get geometry details (volume, weight, dimensions)

Rendering

Tool	Description
upgrade_to_gpu_render	Photorealistic GPU rendering via RunPod
render_with_blender	High-quality Cycles/EEVEE rendering

Utilities

Tool	Description
list_materials	List available materials with properties
batch_generate	Generate multiple variants efficiently
get_build123d_reference	Get API reference and code examples

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Tool Details

generate_cad_component

Generate a parametric CAD component with precise control.

Parameters:

• component_type: bracket, plate, arm, tube, mount, enclosure, custom
• base_geometry: Type and dimensions
• features: Holes, fillets, chamfers, pockets, slots
• material: Material for weight calculation
• output_formats: step, stl, iges
• render_views: iso, top, front, back, left, right

Example:

{
  "component_type": "bracket",
  "base_geometry": {
    "type": "l_bracket",
    "dimensions": {"width": 50, "height": 40, "thickness": 3}
  },
  "features": [
    {"type": "hole", "diameter": 5, "positions": [[10, 0], [40, 0]]}
  ],
  "material": "aluminum_6061",
  "output_formats": ["step", "stl"]
}

Supported Base Geometries:

• box - Rectangular block
• cylinder - Cylinder
• sphere - Sphere
• cone - Cone
• torus - Torus/O-ring
• tube - Hollow cylinder
• l_bracket - L-shaped bracket
• t_bracket - T-shaped bracket
• u_channel - U-channel

Supported Features:

• hole - Simple through hole
• counterbore - Counterbore hole (socket head)
• countersink - Countersink hole (flat head)
• slot - Elongated slot
• pocket - Rectangular pocket
• fillet - Rounded edges
• chamfer - Beveled edges
• boss - Raised cylindrical boss

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generate_cad_from_description

Generate CAD from natural language using Gemini AI with automatic error recovery.

Parameters:

• description: Natural language description of the part
• material: Material (default: pla)
• output_formats: Export formats

Examples:

"Create a pyramid with square base 50mm and height 60mm"
"Create a phone case 150x75x10mm with 2mm walls and rounded corners"
"Create a hollow tube, outer diameter 30mm, inner 24mm, length 50mm"
"Create a mounting bracket with 4 holes for M5 screws"
"Circular flange 120mm diameter, 10mm thick, with 6 M8 bolt holes on 90mm PCD"

New in V2 - Supported Shapes:

• Basic: Box, Cylinder, Sphere, Cone
• Advanced: Torus, Wedge, Tube, Helix
• 2D Profiles: Circle, Rectangle, Ellipse, Polygon, Trapezoid, Slot
• Operations: Extrude, Revolve, Loft, Sweep, Shell, Mirror, Fillet, Chamfer
• Patterns: CircularPattern, LinearPattern, RectangularPattern

---

execute_build123d_code

Execute custom Build123d Python code for advanced shapes.

Example - Pyramid:

from build123d import *

with BuildPart() as result:
    with BuildSketch():
        RegularPolygon(radius=25, side_count=4)
    extrude(amount=40, taper=45)

Example - Revolve (Turned Part):

from build123d import *

with BuildPart() as result:
    with BuildSketch(Plane.XZ):
        with BuildLine():
            Polyline([(0,0), (15,0), (15,40), (10,40), (10,100), (0,100)])
            Line((0,100), (0,0))
        make_face()
    revolve(axis=Axis.Z, revolution_arc=360)

Example - Loft (Transition):

from build123d import *

with BuildPart() as result:
    with BuildSketch():
        RegularPolygon(radius=20, side_count=6)  # Hexagon
    with BuildSketch(Plane.XY.offset(50)):
        Circle(radius=15)  # Circle
    loft()

---

validate_for_manufacturing

Check if a component can be manufactured.

Parameters:

• component_id: ID from generate_cad_component
• manufacturing_method: cnc_mill, cnc_lathe, 3d_print_fdm, 3d_print_sla, laser_cut
• tolerance_grade: rough, medium, precision, high_precision

Returns:

• is_manufacturable: Boolean
• issues: List of problems (e.g., "HOLE_TOO_SMALL", "THIN_WALL")
• warnings: Non-critical issues
• suggestions: Improvement recommendations
• estimated_cost_usd: Cost estimate
• estimated_time_hours: Time estimate

---

Materials

Metals

Material	Density	Use Case
aluminum_6061	2.7 g/cm³	General purpose
aluminum_7075	2.81 g/cm³	High strength
steel_1018	7.87 g/cm³	Mild steel
stainless_304	8.0 g/cm³	Corrosion resistant
stainless_316	8.0 g/cm³	Marine grade
titanium_gr5	4.43 g/cm³	Aerospace
brass_360	8.5 g/cm³	Machinable
copper_c110	8.96 g/cm³	Electrical

Plastics (3D Print)

Material	Density	Use Case
pla	1.24 g/cm³	General FDM
abs	1.04 g/cm³	Durable FDM
petg	1.27 g/cm³	Chemical resistant
nylon	1.14 g/cm³	Strong, flexible
resin_standard	1.2 g/cm³	SLA/DLP

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Output Formats

Format	Extension	Use Case
STEP	.step	Universal CAD exchange (recommended)
STL	.stl	3D printing
IGES	.iges	Legacy CAD systems
3MF	.3mf	Modern 3D printing
BREP	.brep	OpenCASCADE native

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Render Quality

Quality	Description	Time
preview	Fast CPU render, 512px	~1s
standard	Enhanced CPU render, 1024px	~3s
photorealistic	GPU PBR render (RunPod), 1920px	~10s

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Pricing

This Actor uses Pay-Per-Event pricing:

Event	Cost
generate_cad_component	$0.01
validate_component	$0.005
render_photorealistic	$0.05
batch_generate (per variant)	$0.008

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Example Workflows

1. Create a Mounting Bracket

User: Create a mounting bracket 80x50mm with 4 M4 corner holes

Claude uses: generate_cad_from_description(
  description="L-bracket 80x50mm base, 40mm height, 3mm thick,
               4 M4 holes at corners 8mm from edges",
  material="aluminum_6061"
)

Returns: STEP + STL files, preview renders, geometry info

2. Create a Flange with Validation

User: Create a flange for CNC machining

Claude uses:
1. generate_cad_component(
     component_type="custom",
     base_geometry={"type": "cylinder", "dimensions": {"radius": 60, "height": 10}},
     features=[
       {"type": "hole", "diameter": 8.5, "pattern": "circular", "count": 6, "radius": 45}
     ]
   )

2. validate_for_manufacturing(
     component_id="abc123",
     manufacturing_method="cnc_mill"
   )

Returns: CAD files + validation report with cost/time estimates

3. Batch Generate Variants

User: Create 3 sizes of the same bracket

Claude uses: batch_generate(
  base_component={
    "component_type": "bracket",
    "base_geometry": {"type": "l_bracket", "dimensions": {"width": 50, "height": 30}}
  },
  variations=[
    {"name": "small", "overrides": {"base_geometry": {"dimensions": {"width": 40}}}},
    {"name": "medium", "overrides": {"base_geometry": {"dimensions": {"width": 60}}}},
    {"name": "large", "overrides": {"base_geometry": {"dimensions": {"width": 80}}}}
  ]
)

Returns: 3 sets of CAD files

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AIDL - AI Design Language (Internal)

This Actor uses AIDL internally for constraint-based CAD generation. AIDL is a DSL that lets AI generate geometric constraints (not coordinates), which are then solved into precise geometry.

Supported AIDL Primitives:

• 2D: Point, Circle, Line, Arc, Rectangle, Ellipse, Polygon, Slot
• 3D: Torus, Wedge, Tube, Helix

Supported AIDL Operations:

• Basic: Extrude, Hole, Fillet, Chamfer
• Advanced: Revolve, Sweep, Loft, Shell, Mirror
• Patterns: CircularPattern, LinearPattern, RectangularPattern

Supported Constraints:

• Distance, Angle, Radius, Diameter
• Coincident, Concentric, Parallel, Perpendicular, Tangent

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Requirements

• Apify account with API token
• For GPU rendering: RunPod endpoint (optional)
• For AI generation: Gemini API key (included)

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Support

• Issues: GitHub Issues
• Documentation: Apify Docs
• Build123d Reference: build123d.readthedocs.io

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Version History

V2.0 (Current)

• Added AIDL constraint-based generation
• New primitives: Torus, Wedge, Ellipse, Polygon, Helix, Tube
• New operations: Revolve, Sweep, Loft, Shell, Mirror
• Enhanced AI generation with Gemini
• Vision loop for quality validation
• DFM validation improvements

V1.0

• Initial release
• Basic parametric CAD generation
• STEP/STL export
• Manufacturing validation