AI and chatbots
AI document processing: what to automate, what to verify, and when to stop
Plan AI document processing around the full document journey, ground truth, confidence rules, rejection, human review, auditability, and pilot limits.
OmniTechs
Practical guides to websites, automation and 3D printing
Having a website built, simplifying administration or preparing a 3D print? Find practical steps, comparisons and checklists: what to supply, which choices matter and what to check before requesting work.
73 articles
AI and chatbots
Before the First Line of Code: How I Build Software with AI
OmniTechs founder Sina Esfahani on the standards, research gate and line-by-line review that come before any AI-assisted software gets written.
AI and chatbots
I Was Building Around AI Before AI Was Ready
OmniTechs founder Sina Esfahani on turning AI models into system components: APIs, memory, latency, cost and the engineering that still sits around them.
3D materials and technique
3D printer comparison: which one fits how you will actually use it?
Compare 16 desktop 3D printers on build volume, materials, total cost and reported problems, then decide whether to buy a printer or have the part printed.
Preparing 3D files
3D printing for individuals: from an idea to a usable file
Start with a file, sketch or physical part. Prepare dimensions, use, fit and a trial plan before asking for a personal 3D printing quote.
3D materials and technique
Nylon 3D printing: when does it suit the part better than PLA, PETG or resin?
Compare nylon by toughness, stiffness, moisture, process and real use. Prepare fit requirements and a test plan before selecting a grade for your part.
3D materials and technique
FDM, SLA or SLS: which 3D printing process fits your part?
Compare FDM, SLA and SLS by function, surface, fit, size, finishing and total cost. Prepare the requirements that determine a suitable process.
3D materials and technique
Metal or plastic 3D printing: when is the extra cost justified?
Compare loading, heat, wear, weight, geometry, finishing and validation. Decide whether plastic, metal or a hybrid design suits the part and total cost.
Preparing 3D files
Four starting points for a 3D print request
Choose file assessment, mesh repair, digitisation or design from what you already have. Define the next result and what must be checked before printing.
Preparing 3D files
Open and check an STL file before requesting a print
Inspect STL scale, dimensions and visible geometry before requesting a quote. Practise with a known-size model and an English inspection checklist.
Preparing 3D files
Check an STL repair: does the repaired model still match the intended part?
Compare the original and repaired STL for dimensions, openings and missing details. Includes an exercise mesh and an English before-and-after checklist.
Preparing 3D files
Edit an STL without the original CAD file
Check a limited STL dimension change against fixed references. Compare the saved example and recognise when remodelling is needed.
Preparing 3D files
3MF or STL: what information reaches the printer?
Compare geometry, units, objects and colour in 3MF and STL. Check the actual export and send the information needed for production.
Custom 3D products
Design a custom phone holder around the case, cable and viewing angle
Measure your phone with its case, charging plug and desk space. Define the angle, supports and prototype checks before ordering.
Preparing 3D files
Convert 3MF to STL and check what survived
Compare two saved objects before and after 3MF conversion. Check shells, dimensions and units, and record information that did not transfer.
Preparing 3D files
Export STEP to STL without making round parts unnecessarily faceted
Compare coarse and fine cylinder exports. Check dimensions and silhouette, understand deviation settings and preserve the STEP source.
Preparing 3D files
Turn an SVG into a 3D-printable logo or relief
Check rights, closed outlines, physical size and fine details before extrusion. Inspect a saved SVG-to-STL example and choose the product.
Preparing 3D files
3D-print a photo: relief, lithophane or a complete model?
Choose a photo relief, backlit lithophane or complete model. Understand what one image can establish and which views and dimensions are missing.
3D materials and technique
Flexible 3D printing: rubber-like behaviour or a specific TPU grade?
Describe bending, compression and recovery before choosing TPU. Use a cable-guide example to specify the grade, geometry and trial.
Preparing 3D files
Find free 3D models and check the file, scale and permission
Record the model source, creator and exact licence. Check scale, units and mesh condition before requesting a physical print.
Preparing 3D files
Design and check your first 3D spacer
Define outside diameter, hole and height. Inspect a saved spacer mesh, including its polygon opening, before planning a physical fit trial.
3D materials and technique
PLA or PETG: choose for use, heat and loading
Compare specific PLA and PETG grades against heat, moisture, use and loading. Define a representative trial before choosing a material.
3D materials and technique
Test a glued PLA joint before assembling the final object
Record filament, surfaces, adhesive and curing conditions. Plan representative non-critical coupons before committing to a decorative assembly.
3D materials and technique
Assess resin for small details on a display model
Define viewing distance, important details, support marks and fragile areas. Assess a display model after its agreed finishing process.
3D materials and technique
Read a PETG datasheet in the context of your part
Keep grade, test method, direction and conditioning with each PETG value. Identify what remains unproven about your printed part.
3D materials and technique
Diagnose PETG stringing one variable at a time
Keep a repeatable baseline, record printer and filament context and change one variable. Compare threads alongside other print defects.
3D materials and technique
Choose the finish before producing a 3D print
Separate visible faces from critical dimensions. Agree support marks, finishing effects and a representative sample before production.
Preparing 3D files
Split a large 3D model with seams, fit and assembly planned
Plan cuts, visible seams, alignment and assembly access before printing a large display model. Specify loose parts or an assembled delivery.
3D materials and technique
What should transparent PETG look like as a layered print?
Define light transmission, translucency or clarity. Assess layers, seams and lighting with a representative PETG sample.
Custom 3D products
Measure a replacement plastic part for a trial print
Choose reference faces and record critical dimensions, mating features and photos. Start a replacement request even when some measurements are missing.
3D materials and technique
Assess a 3D-printed prototype with dimensions and functional criteria
Set dimensional, fit, movement and visual criteria before a trial. Record observations and choose acceptance, revision or a new prototype.
Custom 3D products
Scale a model without losing the details that matter
Calculate scale and inspect walls, text, grooves and small features. Record deliberate changes before requesting a model or print trial.
Custom 3D products
Prepare an architectural model for 3D printing
Check scale, simplify the building shell and record essential details, separate parts and assembly before requesting a physical model.
3D materials and technique
Choose 3D-print orientation around visible faces, fit and loading
Compare two orientations for visible surfaces, support contact, seams and layer direction. Define the trial needed for your part.
Custom 3D products
Measure usable drawer space for a custom organiser
Measure width, depth and closing clearance at several points. Record obstacles and contents, then test a cardboard outline before ordering.
Custom 3D products
Use a 3D-printed vase decoratively or with a water-holding insert
Choose dry decoration or measure a separate water-holding insert. Check the opening, internal space, grip and removal before selecting a vase.
Custom 3D products
Design a custom keychain that stays readable at its final size
Check exact text, letter geometry, relief, borders and ring compatibility at true size. Define variants before ordering keychains.
Custom 3D products
Measure a 3D-printed lampshade around the existing lamp
Record fixture identity, holder dimensions and available space. Separate mechanical fit from unresolved thermal and electrical suitability.
Preparing 3D files
STL to STEP does not recover the original CAD design
Inspect a controlled faceted STEP conversion. Understand why opening a STEP file does not prove original sketches, constraints or editable CAD.
Preparing 3D files
3D-printing tolerances and clearance: make parts fit their purpose
Separate nominal size, permitted variation and clearance. Measure both mating parts and agree a targeted fit trial without universal accuracy claims.
3D materials and technique
How strong are 3D-printed parts? Choosing wall thickness, infill and print orientation
Define what your part must carry, then choose between more walls, infill, print orientation, redesign or another material. With a decision table and test limits.
3D materials and technique
3D printing layer height: 0.12, 0.20 or 0.28 mm?
Choose layer height by the feature you need to improve: when 0.12 mm is worth it, when 0.20 mm is enough, and when orientation, nozzle or ironing matter more.
3D materials and technique
Threads in 3D-printed parts: printed threads, captive nuts or heat-set inserts?
Choose between a printed thread, a captive nut and a heat-set insert from how often the part opens, access and space. With a dimension checklist and failure table.
Websites and hosting
Website brief template: define the project before requesting quotes
Write a website brief covering visitors, pages, launch features, content, ownership, budget and acceptance so you can compare quotes on the same basis.
Websites and hosting
Professional website checklist: what to assess before paying
Assess a website proposal through visitor tasks, mobile use, evidence, accessibility, ownership, costs and maintenance, with a supplier comparison scorecard.
Websites and hosting
Website for sole traders: what should the first version include?
Plan a sole trader website around clear services, relevant proof and one next step. Compare one-page and multipage sites, ownership and recurring costs.
Software and integrations
Web app vs native app: choose around the way people use it
Compare browser and mobile apps through usage, offline tasks, hardware, notifications and release ownership. Use a decision matrix before requesting a quote.
Software and integrations
SaaS product validation: seven assumptions to test before development
Validate the buyer, workflow, willingness to pay, first usable scope, support and risk before commissioning a SaaS product. Includes a go/no-go checklist.
AI and chatbots
AI for small business: start with one measurable problem
Choose one business task for an AI pilot, compare simpler rules, measure the current process and define data access, review responsibilities and stop criteria.
AI and chatbots
AI customer service: automate suitable questions and keep a human handoff
Plan AI customer service around approved knowledge, suitable questions, refusal and a tested human handoff. Check answer quality and the customer's whole journey.
AI and chatbots
Build an AI agent around one task, permissions and recovery
Define an AI agent through one task, permitted tools, action limits, evaluation cases and human ownership. Test failures and approvals before adding autonomy.
Processes and admin
Administrative task automation: choose the first workflow and its controls
Choose administrative tasks by repetition, data quality, volume and recoverability. Define approvals, duplicate handling, exception owners and measurable pilot checks.
Findability
Generative engine optimization: measure AI visibility without ranking promises
Understand GEO, improve source clarity and measure AI visibility with fixed prompts, engines and dates. Separate accurate mentions, citations and website visits.
Smart products
Use a PC as a smart TV: setup, controls and limitations
Check video, sound, streaming compatibility, sofa-friendly controls and recovery before using an old PC with a TV. Compare simpler options and shared-account risks.
Smart products
Interactive touch table: requirements, prototype and use tests
Plan an interactive table around users, reach, touch behaviour, light, content and recovery. Test ergonomics and maintenance before committing to a finished enclosure.
Websites and hosting
Website hosting migration: prove the transfer before switching
Move a website to another host with a tested copy, preserved email and data, clear acceptance checks and a rollback plan. Includes an English transfer worksheet.
Websites and hosting
Website backup restore test: prove recovery in a separate environment
Test a website backup in an isolated copy with the correct files, database and configuration. Verify media, login and safe form delivery with a restore worksheet.
Websites and hosting
Change a domain with a URL and redirect plan
Build an old-to-new URL map, choose equivalent, merged or removed content, and check direct redirects, canonicals and sitemaps. No guarantee of retained rankings.
Software and integrations
Excel API integration: decide between reading, writing and a managed flow
Decide whether Excel should read API data, exchange a file or support a managed integration. Check refresh, access, record totals, schema changes and ownership.
AI and chatbots
Test a website chatbot before visitors use it
Use a fixed chatbot test set to check approved facts, unknown questions, human handoff and mobile behaviour. Record blockers and retest before a launch decision.
Findability
Search intent analysis: explanation, comparison or an enquiry?
Assess search results and existing page ownership before writing. Use explanation, comparison and enquiry tasks to decide whether to improve, create or skip a page.
Findability
Keyword research and clustering: one page for each useful need
Clean a keyword list, assess intent and group terms by reader task and search results. Assign one page owner per need without inventing volume or duplicate pages.
Websites and hosting
WordPress update checklist: test the change and preserve recovery
Record versions, prove a recovery set and test a bounded WordPress update outside production. Compare the same functions before and after, then decide on release.
Software and integrations
Offline work-order sync: test saved data, retries and conflicts
Define offline work-order fields and test saved drafts, attachment queues, duplicate protection and conflicting edits. A form staying open does not prove offline operation.
Processes and admin
Sales process flowchart: from enquiry to approval and delivery handover
Draw a sales workflow with owners, required inputs, customer approval and a delivery handover. Test incomplete, rejected and changed enquiries before automating it.
Processes and admin
Procurement process flowchart: separate request, approval and receipt
Map purchase requests, authority, orders, accepted receipts and invoice differences as separate evidence. Test partial delivery and price changes before automating handoffs.
Software and integrations
Build a safe API integration: test one read-only data flow first
Start an API integration with limited test access and synthetic records. Check counts, fields, errors, repeated requests and evidence before considering production writes.
AI and chatbots
Evaluate Dutch chatbot answers: facts, completeness and language
Review Dutch chatbot responses against approved sources, required conditions, natural language and human handoff. Keep critical factual failures separate from style scores.
Smart products
Digital business card testing: check saved contacts on actual phones
Test receiving and saving a digital business card across actual phone, browser and contact-app combinations. Compare stored fields and keep untested compatibility unknown.
Websites and hosting
Website maintenance checklist: owners, evidence and recovery
Assign website maintenance tasks, operators, decision-makers and backups. Record form receipt, update checks and restore evidence, with escalation and a clear handover.
AI and chatbots
Software development with AI: what I establish before the first line of code
Sina explains his AI-assisted development process: research, project boundaries, reusable procedures, database decisions, acceptance tests and human code review.
AI and chatbots
Building systems around AI: what my early experiments taught me
Sina recounts API integrations, translation and AI experiments, including projects that stopped. The lesson concerns useful system boundaries, costs, latency and recovery.
Software and integrations
API integration cost: connectors, custom work and continuing costs
Compare connector subscriptions with custom API integration price indications. Understand data ownership, exceptions, recurring costs and what to include in a quote request.