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 Bearii 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 Bearii, Victoria, Australia and Beyond
Coletek has been serving businesses across Bearii, Victoria, Australia with unparalleled engineering and product development expertise since 2001. As a multidisciplinary Australian company, we bring together the best of talent from various fields to deliver innovative solutions that meet our clients' unique needs. Our roots in Bearii, Victoria, Australia allow us to understand the distinct challenges and opportunities facing local businesses, empowering us to provide tailored support.
Based in Bearii, Victoria, Australia, our team is committed to fostering strong relationships with our clients, ensuring their projects are executed with precision, reliability, and collaboration. With a national presence and extensive experience working with diverse industries, we have earned a reputation as trusted partners for businesses seeking to strengthen their competitive edge.
At Colettek, we pride ourselves on being more than just a service provider – we're a partner in our clients' success stories. We take the time to understand each business's goals and objectives, leveraging our collective expertise to develop solutions that drive results. Whether you're looking to enhance your product lineup, optimize processes, or streamline operations, our engineers and developers are equipped to tackle any challenge, from research and development through to deployment.
By operating throughout Australia – including Bearii, Victoria, Australia – we have a deep understanding of the region's unique circumstances and market dynamics. This allows us to deliver solutions that are not only effective but also culturally and environmentally sustainable. Our comprehensive approach ensures our clients receive end-to-end support, from initial concept development to production-ready implementation.
If you're based in Bearii, Victoria, Australia or elsewhere in Australia, we encourage you to explore the possibilities of collaboration with Coletek. Together, let's build something remarkable that drives real value for your business and community.
