The development and launch of a cutting-edge new industrial product
Client – an emerging agricultural business
Expertise Applied
- Product Design & Development
- Feasibility Analysis
- Material Analysis
- Mechanism Engineering
- Machine Design
- Ruggedization
- Design For Manufacture
- Rapid Iterative Development Cycles: Build-Test-Learn
- Prototype Development
- Manufacturing Handoff
Problem
The client engaged SGW Designworks with a bold vision for improved drive systems in a specific industrial application. While the client company (an emerging business) had a clear vision for the product itself, it lacked the internal capacity for complete product design, engineering analysis, and production of a complete design package ready for production. It was clear that hiring a qualified product design firm was the best path to success.
Solution
By engaging SGW Designworks, the client was able to develop and launch a cutting-edge new agricultural product. Extremely large injection molded parts were developed, which took special consideration.
Results / Outcomes
- Multiple prototype and testing cycles led to the optimal design and feature set
- Through their relationship with SGW Designworks, the client business gained the product engineering capabilities of a large company, without the overhead of a full internal Research & Development department
Overview
Low production cost and light weight were critical to the commercial success of the concept, as was the ability to support massive loads. For various reasons, injection-molded plastic needed to be the primary material used in this large, robust assembly.
The loads that the drive system must support push the entire drive assembly to the limit. Advanced finite element analysis, simulation, and geometry iteration were required to define designs that will provide reliable service in a critical application.
This drive assembly was analyzed and engineered by SGW Designworks to be manufactured entirely from injection-molded glass-filled nylon. DuPont joined the project team to help with the specific custom formulation. The final design was comprised entirely of injection-molded plastic, with the exception of the hub.
| Hardware Developed | Technologies Leveraged |
|---|---|
| Large glass-filled-nylon parts | Solidworks 3D CAD |
| Large injection molded plastic parts | Solidworks Simulation Pro |
| Thick-wall plastic parts | Finite element analysis |