Every CNC machine purchase begins with a need and the inspiration to grow. Recognizing the value in his ability to design and manufacture customer products in-house, Clint Caldwell of Solid Design Enterprises (SDE) wanted to put his extensive manufacturing background to work and move beyond his company’s origins of a “design only” business. Starting out with a Haas CM1 in 2019 and then adding a DATRON neo in 2022 has allowed SDE to take on a wider variety of projects and better serve its customers.

During the past 25 years, Caldwell has worked as a production manager, manufacturing engineer, manufacturing process designer, and prototype machinist and programmer across a variety of industries, including optics, defense, and space. His passion for design and manufacturing led him to form SDE in 2009 to provide mechanical design services. Early on, SDE worked with small companies and individuals who were developing their own products. But soon Caldwell’s growing customer base began asking him to manufacture the parts he had designed.

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