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 Bobinawarrah 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.
Solutions for Bobinawarrah, Victoria, Australia: COLETEK's Engineering Expertise at Your Service
As a trusted partner in engineering and product development, COletek has been proudly serving businesses across Bobinawarrah, Victoria, Australia, since 2001. Our multidisciplinary team of experts combines cutting-edge innovation with reliable execution to deliver tailored solutions that drive growth for local companies.
Founded on the principles of collaboration and trust, we take pride in our national reputation as a dependable ally for businesses looking to innovate, improve processes, or launch new products. Operating throughout Australia, COletek's wealth of experience has been honed through diverse projects with clients from various industries. This versatility allows us to adapt swiftly to local needs, making Bobinawarrah, Victoria, Australia and surrounding areas a natural extension of our operations.
Our team is comprised of skilled engineers who share a passion for problem-solving and creativity. We take pride in fostering open communication channels with clients, ensuring that their unique challenges and goals are fully understood. By leveraging this deep understanding, we develop custom solutions that integrate seamlessly into clients' operations, yielding measurable benefits and cost savings.
Innovative thinkers who thrive in a fast-paced environment, our engineers are committed to delivering high-quality results that exceed expectations. This commitment has earned us a reputation as a reliable partner for businesses seeking tailored engineering and product development services. Serving local businesses across Bobinawarrah, Victoria, Australia, we're poised to support your growth every step of the way.
Whether you require expertise in design, prototyping, testing, manufacturing, or production – or perhaps need assistance with process optimization, supply chain management, or project management – COletek is well-equipped to handle projects of any scale. Our capabilities have been refined through years of diverse applications and partnerships across Bobinawarrah, Victoria, Australia.
If you're seeking a dedicated partner for your business's growth and success, look no further than COletek. Our local presence in Bobinawarrah, Victoria, Australia makes us uniquely positioned to deliver exceptional value through our engineering expertise. Let's build something remarkable together – reach out today!
