CHARLES LU / BUILDER · PROTOTYPER · SPEAKER
Functional prototypes.
Built to test.
Rapid prototyping and product development in Manila. 3Ready combines mechanical design, 3D printing, embedded electronics, and hands-on fabrication to build working devices for research and product teams.
AN AUTHORED PRACTICE
DESIGN
FABRICATION
TESTING
REPAIR
01 / FLAGSHIP WORK
Proof before promises.
The value sits beyond the printed shell: integrated systems, informed material choices, and working evidence ready for the next stage of research.
MEDICAL DEVICE · STUDENT RESEARCH · 2022
All-in-One Glucometer
A complex integration project shaped into a working research prototype with potential in medical applications.
Requested by Med Tech students, the device combines a pricking mechanism with quick reload and ejection, lancet and test-strip dispensers, and an on-board interpreter for BG-03 strips.
- Integration
- Multiple testing functions in one handheld device
- Output
- Functional prototype for undergraduate research
- Evidence
- Public testing with patients and practitioners
- Potential
- Streamlined medical testing workflow
MEDICAL DEVICE · MATERIAL-SPECIFIC · 2023
Self-Ejecting Vacutainer
A working medical prototype where mechanism and material choice had to succeed together.
The quad-spring, pen-style trigger ejects the tube outward while the needle remains static. The body accepts standard Vacutainer tubes and multi-sample needles, using material selected to withstand laboratory sterilization procedures.
- Mechanism
- Quad-spring outward ejection
- Compatibility
- Standard Vacutainer tubes and needles
- Material
- Selected for laboratory sterilization
- Potential
- Reduced pain during successive extractions
Explore specialized medical and institutional fabrication workflows or inspect all 19 documented lab builds: Biomedical prototype fabrication · Full interactive portfolio archive
02 / PUBLIC PRACTICE
Built in the lab.
Shared in the room.
Charles Lu turns live project experience into clear talks and workshops—connecting engineering decisions, materials, and working examples with students, researchers, and industry leaders.
Invite Charles to speak See talk topics and formats Digital speaker one-sheet Open the speaker kit
FEATURED TALK · DLSU · 2025
Smarter Together: What Makes Engineering Work in the Real World?
Teamwork, communication, creative thinking, and navigating uncertainty—for more than 150 student leaders across six universities.
INVITED STAKEHOLDER · 2024
NAST PHL Additive Manufacturing Roundtable
Hands-on prototyping represented in a discussion connecting government, industry, and academe at MIRDC AMCen.
WORKSHOP · UE-ARMS · 2024
Introduction to Additive Manufacturing
A practical entry into 3D printing for 60+ participants across multiple disciplines at the University of the East.
TALK · PUP BEYOND BINARY · 2024
Advancing Prototyping with 3D Printing
Current 3D printing technologies applied across real client work, for graduating Computer Engineering students at PUP.
SYMPOSIUM · DLSU DMEM · 2024
Glimpse: The Technopreneur Pathway
A technopreneurship journey shared with 250+ engineering students across DLSU, Bulacan State, and PLM.
TALK · SME DLSU · 2024
MEM to Market
Strategies for manufacturing a business, drawn from live experience for the Society of Manufacturing Engineers at DLSU.
SEMINAR · DOST MIRDC · 2022
Hexagon Additive Manufacturing Seminar
First-hand operation of advanced additive hardware at the Advanced Manufacturing Center, including non-plastic and large-format systems.
03 / RESEARCH & MATERIALS
Materials expand what can be built.
Research fabrication brings new filaments, fine geometry, and repeatable output together—turning exact digital dimensions into useful physical evidence.
PMFC · CONDUCTIVE PLA · PRECISION PRINTING
Plant microbial fuel cell components
From fine-tip anodes and separator sleeves to rod-array electrodes, tall shells, and magnet-fit housings, each design demanded different print parameters. The fabricated components supported PMFC research in agriculture and bioenergy; testing demonstrated electrical generation.
Multiple designsConductive PLAElectrical output
ORIGINAL FORMULATION · IN-HOUSE R&D
3Ready Set Goo
A self-levelling filler developed in brushable and mouldable forms. It fills gaps, seals surfaces, sands cleanly, and cures after activation in about 15 seconds.
15 sec cureTwo formsProduction use
04 / INDUSTRIES
Built for more than one field.
Unusual projects arrive from every direction. 3Ready has delivered working prototypes and research fabrication across medicine, biotechnology, bioenergy, food and beverage, fashion, sports, gaming, and the arts.
01
Medicine
Diagnostic and blood-extraction device prototypes.
02
Biotechnology
Microbial fuel cell components in conductive PLA.
03
Bioenergy
Printed systems demonstrating electrical generation.
04
Food & Beverage
Upcycled food-tray systems and germination tooling.
05
Fashion
Gallery-destined footwear and wearable prototypes.
06
Sports
Precision commemorative equipment replicas.
07
Gaming
Custom video-game character and collectible models.
08
Art & Collectibles
Display figures bridging fabrication and fine art.
05 / THE PRACTICE
From concept.
To working proof.
3Ready connects product thinking, engineering judgment, and hands-on fabrication in one continuous process.
Where to make prototype products in the Philippines: 3Ready operates a specialized laboratory in Metro Manila, partnering with founders, researchers, and product teams to translate conceptual designs into functional, testable physical proof.
Each project moves through a clear sequence: understand the project details, select the right method, build the physical proof, and prepare the next iteration.
01
Product development
Rough ideas, partial designs, and early prototypes developed into working physical proof. Prototype development Manila
02
Embedded & software
Microcontroller and Raspberry Pi firmware, PC-side control and companion apps, and test and data-logging tools for the hardware we build.
03
Speaking & workshops
Live project experience shaped into clear, memorable technical sessions. Speaking hub
04
Research collaboration
Material-specific fabrication and prototype support for academic and applied research. Academic & thesis prototyping
05
Custom fabrication
One-off builds and specialized geometry for projects beyond standard production. Biomedical & custom fabrication
06
Printer repair
Calibration, maintenance, and performance upgrades for FDM and resin machines. 3D printer repair Manila
TECHNICAL GUIDES & ENGINEERING MONOGRAPHS
Reference documentation from the 3Ready lab on prototyping scope, mechanical fitments, additive fleet diagnostics, and tropical field deployment:
Prototype RFQ guide (Philippines) · Precision tolerancing in FDM & SLA assemblies · Thermal & mechanical degradation in additive hardware · Lab prototype to field deployment in Southeast Asia
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
How fast can 3Ready build a physical prototype?
Functional FDM and SLA prototypes are typically delivered in 3 to 7 business days from CAD or approved concept sketch. Multi-part enclosures with embedded electronics, hardware integration, or custom finishing typically complete in 7 to 14 days.
Where in the Philippines can I get a custom prototype fabricated?
3Ready Prototyping Lab is located in Manila, Philippines, providing precision rapid prototyping, 3D printing (FDM, resin/SLA), silicone molding, CNC finishing, and functional engineering nationwide across Metro Manila and internationally.
What files or information are required to get an accurate prototype quote?
You can submit 3D CAD files (STEP, STP, STL, IGES), 2D dimensional drawings, or even initial hand sketches and concept dimensions through our prototype RFQ form. We sign mutual NDAs before reviewing proprietary client designs.
START A CONVERSATION
Bring the idea.
Build what comes next.
Send the sketch, reference, research requirements, speaking invitation, or machine details through the form. The next useful step can begin from there. Need a starting checklist? Read the prototype RFQ guide.