We have much experience with hardware prototyping of plastic parts, metal parts and electronic parts. Electro-mechanical prototypes typically require software prototyping, which we also have much experience with.
We are confident we can deliver rapid prototyping solutions for you. The following sections outline some key phases.
Our core business is focused on projects that have a break-even point, such as resale via mass production. To learn more about this see our page on Old Adaminaby New Product Development.
Product Design Phase (Computer modeling from scratch or 3D scanning)
During this phase we assess your requirements to determine if we are best to design your model from scratch using 3D CAD tools, 3D animations tools, or perform a 3D scan an mock up model.
While 3D scanning sounds like an easy option, it is not perfect, and requires much cleaning up of the model. Further it produces a file with point cloud data, which then must be converted to a typical CAD file (e.g. .igs, .stp, and/or .stl). It is because of these reasons, it is generally quicker to create the design from scratch (unless the target requirement is just to reprint the scanned object without any additional design features - which is a service we're not keen on providing).
In terms of electronics - generally we design custom electronics to get the unit cost down, but in some cases we might use off-the-shelve electronics (e.g. Proof-of-concept prototype).
Product Prototyping Phase
Plastic mechanical parts will likely be 3D printed via various methods such as Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM), Stereolithography (SLA), Selective Laser Sintering (SLS), Multi Jet Fusion (MJF) or CNC'ed in some cases. The material options are kinda endless from rigid to rubbers, such as ABS, PLA, Polycarbonate (PC), Acrylic (PMMA), PET, PEEK, Polyamide aka Nylon (PA), Glass reinforced nylon (PA66+GF), Polyurethane (PU), Polypropylene (PP), Polyvinyl Chloride (PCV), Thermoplastic Elastomer (TPE), Thermoplastic Olefin (TPO), Thermoplastic Polyurethane (TPU), PEBA 2301, Nitrile Rubber (NBR), Polytetrafluoroethylene aka Teflon (PTFE) and more. There are also various finish options such as transparent, transulent, colours, electro-plating, reflective mirror, and screen-printing graphics.
Metal mechanical parts can be 3D printed also, however in our opinion CNC is still the better option. The material options are also kinda endless such as aluminum (AL), steel, stainless steel (SS), brass, etc. There are also various finish options such as blackening, electro-plating (Chrome-plating, Nickel-chrome plating, Zinc-plating, Galvanizing), anodized (black, matte clear), and chromating conversion.
We've also made prototypes using materials such as Carbon Fiber, Fibreglass, Glass wool, DuPont, Vectran, conductive thread, and look forward to playing with Graphene one day.
Electronic parts will involve manufacturing of bare PCBs, then assembling PCB surface-mount (SMT) and through-hole (THT) components via soldering methods such as a stencils, reflow oven, IR heat lamp, hotair rework station, soldering iron, etc.
Hardware bugs are likely, and we'd hack things to make the working prototype. During this process we'll make notes on the design changes required for the next revision.
Engineering Excellence for Old Adaminaby, New South Wales, Australia: A Partnership to Drive Growth and Innovation
As the beating heart of rural New South Wales, Old Adaminaby is a community rich in history, culture, and natural beauty. COLETEK is proud to have been serving businesses across this charming region for over two decades, providing trusted expertise in engineering and product development.
We're a multidisciplinary Australian company established in 2001, with a national reputation built on reliability, collaboration, and capability. Our expertise extends beyond just technology – we work closely with clients to understand their unique challenges, from design through to delivery.
Based in Old Adaminaby, New South Wales, Australia, our team is dedicated to supporting local businesses across the region. We're committed to helping entrepreneurs, innovators, and industry leaders in and around Old Adaminaby overcome engineering and product development hurdles, drive growth, and seize opportunities for success.
From start-ups to established corporations, we've worked with a diverse range of clients from Old Adaminaby, New South Wales, Australia and beyond. Our focus is on delivering tailored solutions that address the specific needs of each business, empowering them to thrive in an ever-changing landscape.
At COLETEK, we're passionate about building long-term relationships founded on trust, open communication, and a deep understanding of our clients' goals and aspirations. Whether you're looking for innovative solutions to drive your Old Adaminaby-based business forward or seeking tailored engineering expertise, we're here to support you every step of the way.
As you navigate the complexities of today's rapidly evolving business landscape, COLETEK is committed to being a trusted partner in Old Adaminaby, New South Wales, Australia. We invite you to discover how our multidisciplinary team can help your business prosper – let's build something remarkable together.
