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 Carlsruhe 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.
Your Engineering Partnership in Carlsruhe, Victoria, Australia: Building Trust and Delivering Results with COLETEK
As a business owner or technical decision-maker based in Carlsruhe, Victoria, Australia, you understand the importance of partnering with a reliable and innovative engineering and product development company. For over 20 years, COLETEK has been supporting businesses across Carlsruhe, Victoria, Australia, helping them navigate the complexities of product development while driving innovation.
Established in 2001, COLETEK is a multidisciplinary Australian engineering and product development company operating throughout the country, including right here in Carlsruhe, Victoria, Australia. Our team of experts has a deep understanding of the challenges faced by businesses across various industries, from manufacturing to healthcare, and we're committed to delivering tailored solutions that meet our clients' unique needs.
What sets COLETEK apart is our commitment to collaboration and reliability. We don't just provide engineering expertise or develop products – we take the time to understand your business goals and work closely with you to deliver innovative solutions that drive growth and prosperity. Our experience in product development means we can handle everything from conceptualization to pilot builds, ensuring your project is complete on-time and within budget.
As a trusted national company operating right here in Carlsruhe, Victoria, Australia, COLETEK is well-positioned to provide the expertise and support you need to succeed. Whether you're looking for engineering services for a new product, or seeking guidance on optimizing your existing operations – we've got you covered.
So why wait? Join forces with COLETEK today and discover how our team of experts can help your business thrive. Let's build something remarkable together!
