Custom Vintage Camera Base: The Challenge, the Solution, and the Result Client Concept: A Passion For Cameras

Aaron, a spatial designer from Singapore, has a deep interest in photography and DIY projects. He enjoys disassembling objects and reassembling them in new ways, with a particular talent for modifying vintage film cameras and crafting unique custom lenses. He thrives on experimental making and innovative design.

Currently, he is in the process of modifying his own camera, planning to use brass for the main body and stainless steel for a small component. The body will be coated in RAL 9006 gloss black paint, while the stainless steel part will be sandblasted. This component must fit snugly against the body while remaining detachable, ensuring it stays securely in place without falling off on its own.

Aaron, a spatial designer from Singapore, approached us with a truly unique project: to help bring his custom film camera vision to life.

As a photography enthusiast and DIY creator, Aaron has a passion for reengineering old cameras and crafting bespoke components. For this project, he set out to reconstruct the camera body using solid brass, finished with a sleek RAL 9006 high-gloss black coating. He also designed a small stainless steel part, requiring sandblasted treatment and a precision fit that’s both secure and detachable.

Hi，I’m Aaron a spatial designer from Singapore with a keen interest in photography and DIY projects. I enjoy taking things apart and trying to figure out how to place it back together. From tinkering with old film cameras to customising one off lens from broken pointand shoots, I enjoy experimenting a lot.

I’m trying to modify my camera， Hi I’m looking at brass for the main body And stainless steel for that small part，and ral 9006 gloss black paint for the body，The stainless steel one can be sand blasted，the small piece Just need it to fit snug and be able to take out but won’t fall off by itself

Challenge: Repair Drawings For Customers And Propose DFM

Client Requirements:

Material strength to ensure the brass base can withstand long-term use while maintaining dimensional stability.

Precision engineering with tolerances within ±0.01mm to ensure a perfect fit with the camera mount.

Aesthetic appeal with a flawless black finish to complement professional-grade photography equipment.

Functional design incorporating complex internal structures and precisely positioned screw holes to enhance usability.

The project involved replicating a vintage camera base, where every dimension mattered. With years of manufacturing experience, our engineers successfully restored the product drawings and optimized the internal structure to simplify production. As a result, manufacturing time was reduced by 30%.

The Solution: Advanced CNC Machining And Surface Treatment

Precision Machining With A 5-Axis CNC Machine

Material Selection involved using high-purity brass blocks to ensure optimal machinability and structural strength.

Machining Parameters included maintaining tight tolerances within ±0.01mm for perfect alignment, achieving a surface roughness of Ra 0.8µm prior to finishing, and completing the entire machining cycle—both roughing and finishing—within 7 hours.

Internal And External Features included finely drilled screw holes with 0.2mm precision for secure assembly, and weight reduction was achieved by precisely milling internal cavities while maintaining structural integrity.

Quality Control And Mid-Process Adjustments

Dimensional Inspection was performed using a CMM (Coordinate Measuring Machine) to ensure all tolerances met the specified requirements.

Real-Time Adjustments were made using micron-level toolpath optimization to refine sharp edges and guarantee perfect alignment.

Thermal Expansion was accounted for to compensate for minor material growth during the machining process.

High-Quality Surface Treatment

We applied a black painted surface finish to enhance scratch resistance and visual appeal, while reducing the final surface roughness to Ra 0.4µm, achieving a smooth, reflective appearance.

Result: A Perfect Fusion Of Strength And Elegance.

Dimensional Accuracy met 100% of the client’s specifications

The Mirror-Black Painted Finish ensured flawless aesthetics, delivering a premium look with no visible machining marks

Client Satisfaction: The base integrated seamlessly with Aaron’s camera system, enhancing both functionality and style

Feedback From Our Client Aaron

Aaron was extremely satisfied with the final result, praising the precision of the engineering and the craftsmanship involved. He especially appreciated the tactile quality of the surface and how precisely the structure aligned with his expectations. According to him, the final product not only met his design vision but exceeded it in the finer details. The seamless fit and refined finish exceeded his expectations.

As a result, he placed a second order to support his ongoing creative

Conclusion

At TIRAPID, we don’t just help clients revise their product drawings—we also optimize the manufacturing process based on real-world production experience. This approach reduces costs while improving manufacturability. Whether it’s a single prototype or large-scale production, we ensure every component meets the highest tolerance standards. Let us bring your vision to life with our exceptional machining expertise.
From concept to creation, we bring your vision to life with unmatched precision. Your vision, Our precision., One exceptional result.