3D Design

Through the use of our 3D Cad system, we first create 3D models of your part which helps to verify the dimensioning on the drawings you may provide, as well as provide the foundation from which the manufacturing process can be developed. A 3D model can be 'unfolded' in the case of a stamped part, creating a flat blank, strip layout and ultimately the tool layout. Part designs can be tweaked here at little cost before committing to making an actual prototype. The 3D model can be shaded, rotated, and fit into other models. By simply making a copy, various changes can be made to the model to determine if a certain feature can be improved upon. We can also analyze the stack up of tolerances within the part and the mating assembly.

And with the various methods of electronic data transfer available today, you can provide drawings to us in just about any format and we can provide 3D model images of problem areas or of the final designs via email. This allows quick action over the phone with both parties looking at the data to come to a conclusion, rather that the time consuming wait to arrange and hold a physical meeting.

Prototype development is an important part of the design process where significant savings can be realized.

Tooling can be costly and you do not need the added cost of making modifications to the tooling when it could have been resolved during a well organized design process. No matter how small a change may be required, it may not always be the cheapest. It could have an effect on the mating parts and even the manufacturing process. Through the prototyping and design process, we can review the processes and the effects on mating parts in the assembly, paying particular attention to the stack up of tolerances which could cause unseen problems in the final product performance.

Some may look at prototyping as an unnecessary expense, but it has proven to save money in the overall cost of the product, and provide confidence in the final design's success.

Once the modeling work is done in CAD, we can confidently fabricate a prototype of the part which you will be able to hold in your hand and even 'try out' in it's final assembly.

Once through the prototype stages we set up a Design Project Plan which is used to set the timeline for the various design and fabrication activities. Through the use of  this timeline it is easier for our customers to follow our progress during the building of tools, fixtures, gages, and whatever else may be required for the manufacturing process.

The initial stages of tooling design involve all the various departments that will be involved with it's fabrication right through to delivering a finished product. Regardless of the processes the tool design, quality considerations, manufacturing, finishing, and packaging are all carefully thought through to reduce the likelihood of problems later on.

Being quality conscious through the entire process we design the tooling to be cost effective, while implementing features to make quality critical areas easily maintained, often allowing adjustments and repairs in the press, reducing costly downtime.