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 Charam 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 Businesses in Charam, Victoria, Australia and Beyond
As the heartbeat of regional industries, Charam in Victoria, Australia is a hub of innovation and growth. At COLETEK, we're proud to be based in this thriving community, serving businesses across Charam, Victoria, Australia with our multidisciplinary engineering and product development expertise.
With over two decades of experience, COLETEK has established itself as a trusted national reputation for reliability, collaboration, and capability. Our team of experts spans various disciplines, from mechanical and electrical engineering to materials science and innovation. By leveraging this breadth of knowledge and skills, we empower local businesses in Charam, Victoria, Australia to develop cutting-edge products, solutions, and services.
Our commitment to serving the needs of businesses across Charam, Victoria, Australia is unwavering. We operate throughout Victoria, with a strong presence in metropolitan and regional areas, including Charam. Our experience in working closely with clients from diverse sectors has equipped us to tackle complex challenges and deliver tailored solutions that drive success.
We're proud to be an Australian company, established in 2001 and headquartered in Melbourne. This enables us to effectively support businesses across Charam, Victoria, Australia, fostering strong relationships built on trust, integrity, and open communication. At COLETEK, we believe that effective collaboration is key to driving innovation and growth, and our focus on co-creation with clients has delivered exceptional results.
As industry experts who understand the importance of a well-executed product or solution, we partner with businesses in Charam, Victoria, Australia to develop game-changing innovations that transform industries. Our engineering prowess, combined with our passion for creative problem-solving, enables us to deliver robust, reliable solutions that exceed client expectations.
If you're seeking a trusted partner to help you bring your business vision to life, look no further than COLETEK. With our extensive expertise in product development and engineering, we're uniquely positioned to support businesses in Charam, Victoria, Australia. Let's work together to turn your ideas into remarkable realities!
