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 Woorinen South 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 Woorinen South, Victoria, Australia: Partnering with COLETEK for Success
Situated in the heart of Victoria's Wimmera region, Woorinen South is a thriving hub for local businesses. As a trusted partner for these enterprises, COLETEK is dedicated to providing top-notch engineering and product development solutions that drive growth and innovation. With over two decades of experience and a national reputation for excellence, our multidisciplinary team at COLETEK is uniquely qualified to support the unique needs of Woorinen South's businesses.
We take pride in being based in Woorinen South, Victoria, Australia, and operating throughout the region to serve businesses across the board. Our commitment to reliability, collaboration, and capability enables us to deliver tailored solutions that meet the specific challenges faced by local industry leaders. From agriculture to manufacturing, our engineering expertise extends to a wide range of sectors, making us an invaluable partner for Woorinen South's entrepreneurs and decision-makers.
As a multidisciplinary Australian engineering and product development company established in 2001, we've had the privilege of working with clients from Woorinen South and beyond. Our ability to combine innovative thinking with technical mastery has earned us the trust of businesses seeking to improve their operations, increase efficiency, or bring new products to market.
So why partner with COLETEK? Our unwavering commitment to serving local businesses in Woorinen South, Victoria, Australia ensures that our expertise is always at your fingertips. From design to delivery, we take a collaborative approach, working closely with clients to understand their unique needs and develop solutions that drive results. With COLETEK as your trusted partner, you can rest assured that your business will thrive in the competitive landscape of Woorinen South.
So let's build something remarkable together! Contact us today to explore how our engineering expertise can benefit your business in Woorinen South, Victoria, Australia, or throughout Australia:
