Services
Our design philosophy is that there is elegance in simplicity. Fewer parts means less cost in manufacturing and less to go wrong for the end user. A design which has been created to reduce complex geometries brings down the cost of machining, molding or casting. When done right, a design will use as few manufacturing steps as possible, making the end product as cost effective as possible. Of course, highly complex machines require specialized parts, and today’s technology can require very unique solutions. It’s all about making a design everything it needs to be - and nothing it doesn’t. This philosophy extends to product testing, design documentation and manufacturing processes. Wherever possible elegant simplicity lets us bring to you the highest quality design with the lowest cost and best value.
Prototyping
The first step is the idea - the light bulb, the lightning bolt. That ‘ah ha’ moment. But how do you bring the thought into the physical world? The initial prototyping stage can take many forms - a simple drawing, a quick CAD sketch. Sometimes this process can get bogged down in the details, trying to put every feature onto that first design. To break past this, we like to get a physical, working prototype in your hands as quickly as possible. Working with wood, clay, corrugated board, sheet metal, off the shelf hardware and everything in between, we use the right medium for the job. By making a physical part as rapidly as possible, your design can be iterated quickly to help bring it to production faster. Once a clear picture emerges of what the design looks like, we use CAD to arrive at a geometry that can be made by rapid prototyping or small scale machining. The goal is to get a part that can be tested in place, a functional prototype that can be used as intended.
Productization
Making a design ready for production is more than just drawings - it’s about taking a one-off design and creating something than our manufacturing partners can reproduce at scale. It’s about making a product that works for the user every time - by testing the design as the user would whenever possible. Then, combine that with effective laboratory testing to ensure the design is up to the task. It’s thinking through all the details of a design - what material is best for the desired cost to strength balance? Which fasteners will be used and how many can be a common size? Are the metals in the design appropriate to avoid galvanic corrosion? And will the thermal expansion of the part effect the operation of the design? Answering these and countless other questions leading to mass production is productization. When complete, you will have mechanical designs & drawings that capture all of the major and minor specifications of your product.
Manufacturing
Finding a manufacturing partner who can bring your design to market can be challenging. Understanding a factory’s capabilities and limitations is vital to picking the right partner. Smaller factories tend to be more nimble with production schedules and design iteration, but larger factories will often give you the best price. Manufacturing in the USA or the EU can be more expensive per part, but shorter lead times and lower shipping costs can make them attractive for the right product. Two factories in Asia might give you very different prices, but if one has superior quality control, then the costs may be justified. By balancing these competing factors we can help you find the right fit. Already have a factory making your product? We can help liaison with the factory’s product manager, engineers or technicians. And when you need someone at the facility who understands your product, we are there, working with these people to face whatever challenges arise.
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