Do you notice that friction often arises between the design department and production? Or do your projects suffer delays due to late-stage technical problems? A lack of alignment costs unnecessary time and budget. In this article, you will read how an integrated approach improves your results.
The gap between design and realisation
A good idea on paper is not always easy to make. Designers often focus on functionality and aesthetics. The manufacturability of the part sometimes receives less attention.
This causes problems as soon as the drawing goes to the factory. Moulds turn out to be unnecessarily complex or tolerances are unfeasible. Industrial product development requires a bridge between these worlds. By sharing knowledge early on, you can avoid these pitfalls.
Co-engineering as the key to success
The answer to this challenge is co-engineering. This involves the production partner joining in from the concept phase. Together, you discuss the requirements and wishes for the final product.
Our engineers assess the technical feasibility directly. We advise on wall thicknesses, draft angles and material selection. This early input ensures a design that ready for production. This means you won't have to make costly modifications later on.
Advantages of early involvement
Early Supplier Involvement (ESI) yields tangible benefits. Modifying a digital 3D model takes little time. However, modifying a hardened steel mould is very costly.
At Euro-Techniek, we've noticed that customers who involve us early on launch faster. The lead time for the entire project becomes shorter. This is because fewer correction rounds are needed between design and trial injection. Efficiency is central to this.
Concrete results from collaboration
A partnership goes beyond mere advice. It directly impacts your competitive position and margin. Smart collaboration offers you the following benefits:
- Significant reduction in total development costs.
- Shortening the time-to-market for your new product.
- Guarantee of a manufacturable and high-quality design.
- Optimal use of production techniques such as injection moulding of stansen.
Transparency in the process
Open communication is essential for a successful project. You must be able to rely on your supplier's expertise. This also means being honest about what cannot be done.
Sometimes a particular design is too technically risky. A good partner dares to point this out and proposes an alternative. This transparency prevents disappointment and failures during series production. You know exactly where you stand from the outset.
From prototype to mass production
The step from a single prototype to tens of thousands of units is significant. A 3D-printed model behaves differently from an injection-moulded product. We take upscaling into account during the engineering phase.
We design tools that are suitable for the intended volumes. Whether it's for a prototype mould or a multi-cavity production mould, smart engineering ensures a seamless transition into mass production.
Working together closely in industrial product development is the foundation for a successful end product. By integrating manufacturability expertise early on, you save time and costs. You prevent technical surprises and guarantee high quality. Would you like to approach your next project more efficiently? Discover our expertise Toolmaking of get in touch met Euro-Techniek for an introduction.
Frequently asked questions about smart collaboration in industrial product development
You indeed invest in engineering hours in the pre-production phase. However, you more than earn this back by preventing errors. It's an investment in a problem-free production process.
In a professional collaboration, your ideas are safe. We often work with Non-Disclosure Agreements (NDAs). Your innovation remains your property at all times.
Certainly, efficiency is important even with smaller quantities. It's precisely then that start-up costs weigh heavily on the unit price. A smart design keeps costs manageable even with small runs.
