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 Teal Point 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.
Expert Engineering and Product Development for Teal Point, Victoria, Australia
If you're a business owner in Teal Point, Victoria, Australia, you understand the importance of having a reliable partner to help drive your operations forward. As a multidisciplinary Australian engineering and product development company established in 2001, COLETEK has earned a reputation for delivering exceptional results across a wide range of industries.
We're proud to operate throughout Teal Point, Victoria, Australia, serving businesses of all sizes with our comprehensive suite of engineering and product development services. Our experienced team is dedicated to building strong relationships with our clients, working closely together to understand their unique needs and develop innovative solutions that meet or exceed their expectations.
COLETEK's trusted national reputation means you can count on us to deliver reliable outcomes every time. Whether you're looking to improve your operations, streamline internal processes, or simply need expert guidance on a specific project, we've got the capability and expertise to help.
We understand that no two businesses are the same, which is why we take the time to truly get to know each of our clients in Teal Point, Victoria, Australia. By combining engineering and product development with a deep understanding of your business goals and objectives, we can help you achieve tangible results and drive real growth.
If you're based in Teal Point, Victoria, Australia and looking for a trusted partner to help take your business to the next level, look no further than COLETEK. We're committed to delivering exceptional outcomes, collaborating closely with our clients every step of the way.
So why wait? Let's work together to build something remarkable in Teal Point, Victoria, Australia. Contact Us today to learn more about how COLETEK can help you drive real results and growth for your business.
