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 Darnum 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.
Partnering with COLETEK for Local Innovation in Darnum, Victoria, Australia
We're proud to have been serving businesses across Darnum, Victoria, Australia for over two decades. As a multidisciplinary Australian engineering and product development company established in 2001, we've earned a reputation as trusted advisors for companies seeking innovative solutions that drive growth.
With expertise spanning multiple disciplines and a passion for collaborative problem-solving, COLETEK is well-positioned to support businesses in Darnum, Victoria, Australia and beyond. Our team operates throughout Australia, helping clients tackle complex challenges and seize new opportunities through our cutting-edge engineering and product development capabilities.
We believe that innovation thrives when talented individuals come together, sharing ideas and expertise to create something truly remarkable. That's why we prioritize building strong relationships with the businesses in Darnum, Victoria, Australia – fostering a culture of trust, reliability, and open communication.
Our approach is centered around delivering measurable value to our clients, helping them stay ahead of the curve by identifying opportunities and mitigating risks through our multidisciplinary expertise. By combining engineering prowess with business acumen, we've earned a reputation for being reliable partners in Darnum, Victoria, Australia and nationwide.
We're proud to call Darnum, Victoria, Australia home, and it's there that our team is actively developing innovative solutions tailored to the region's unique needs. As your trusted advisors, we'll work closely with you to understand your challenges and create a customized approach that drives success in this rapidly evolving business landscape.
So why choose COLETEK? Simply put, our commitment to reliability, collaboration, and capability sets us apart from other firms operating within Darnum, Victoria, Australia. We're dedicated to helping local businesses thrive by providing unparalleled engineering and product development expertise that yields tangible results.
If you're a business owner or decision-maker in Darnum, Victoria, Australia looking for a trusted partner to help drive growth and innovation, we invite you to explore our capabilities further. Let's build something remarkable together – discover the value of partnering with COLETEK in Darnum, Victoria, Australia.
