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 Licola North 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.
Serving Businesses Across Licola North, Victoria, Australia: A Story of Trusted Engineering and Product Development Expertise
Coletek is proud to be a multidisciplinary Australian engineering and product development company established in 2001. Our reputation for reliability, collaboration, and capability has earned us the trust of businesses across Licola North, Victoria, Australia and throughout Australia.
Our team based in Licola North, Victoria, Australia is dedicated to using our cutting-edge expertise to develop innovative solutions that meet the unique needs of local businesses. With a national presence and extensive experience in serving businesses across Licola North, Victoria, Australia, we understand the importance of locally tailored support. Our goal is to not only provide exceptional engineering and product development services but also to build lasting relationships with our clients.
Coletek operates throughout Licola North, Victoria, Australia, assisting businesses from various industries in overcoming complex challenges. We take pride in our ability to adapt to the specific requirements of each client, combining our extensive knowledge and resources to deliver effective solutions. Whether you're an entrepreneur looking to bring your vision to life or a business leader seeking to drive innovation and growth, we are here to support you.
As a trusted partner for businesses across Licola North, Victoria, Australia, Coletek understands the importance of trust, transparency, and open communication. Our commitment to these values has earned us a reputation as a reliable and customer-centric business. By collaborating with our clients, we strive to achieve their goals and help them succeed in the competitive Australian market.
At Coletek, we believe that by combining our collective expertise with your vision and ambition, we can create remarkable outcomes for businesses across Licola North, Victoria, Australia. So why settle for anything less? Choose a partner who shares your values and is committed to helping you achieve exceptional results. Let's build something remarkable together.
