PROCESS
Makes the Product
development Process
Makes the Product
We have refined a collaborative method that has proven successful over decades of projects. Each product development program is unique and custom tailored to the specific project, but most projects start with a combination of the following phases.
DEFINITION
Most of our customers come to us with an idea, but we always start with questions. When we look at an idea for a new product, it is critical to identify unanswered questions so that we can start generating creative solutions.
Who is the user?
What environment will the product be used in?
What are your cost constraints?
How many do you intend to sell?
With these and other considerations in mind, we come up with a plan for the development process. We do additional research to find out about related products, alternative materials, or new developments in manufacturing processes that might be relevant for the new product.
CONCEPTUALIZATION
Once we know the answers to the most important questions, we start the iterative process. Because our clients have in-depth knowledge in their given industries, client participation is part of our collaborative process. We combine your ideas with our own expertise to generate ideas. We will develop form and ergonomics concepts and do further research into possible solutions.
IMPLEMENTATION
Our mechanical designers deal with complex mechanisms, hinges, component packaging, and any moving parts of the product. We constantly generate and evaluate ideas within the company and with our customers.
PROTOTYPING
Every good product was once a prototype. This is a way for us to test out physical products against the goals we want to meet. Prototypes allow our clients to see, touch, and manipulate a physical model. We will create a 3D CAD model first, but there is no substitute for holding actual parts in your hand and working with them in context.
TESTING AND EVALUATION
Once we have the prototype to work with, we will test it out. This helps us figure out if we are really solving the problem, how we can make it better, stronger, faster, or if we need to go back and rethink some areas.
FINALIZATION
By the time we get to this phase, the product will be very close to its final form. But many details will need to be finalized before we go to production. We create drawings of each part and assembly to communicate aspects that cannot be expressed in CAD alone. Finally, we will release the data to the manufacturing vendors. Most of our clients manage their own production, but because we are a full-service product consultancy, we can assist in production sourcing and management as needed.