Quarticom Services

CAD software has evolved into a very powerful and productive tool for design engineers. At Quarticom, I make full use of the power of solid modelling to visualise, check and refine designs. However, I never lose sight of how a product is to be manufactured.

Solid models can be used downstream in direct digital manufacturing (DDM) for prototyping and production also. The resulting savings in time and reduction in potentially costly errors make solid modelling an essential design tool.

I use Autodesk's Inventor Professional 2014 suite of software, which includes FEA, tool-design & mold flow software in it's kit. Most importantly, it becomes the central repository for a project's key data, such as solid part models, assemblies and manufacturing drawings. Because the software tightly controls this data, any incremental changes required can take place seamlessly through all levels of a project.

Inventor 2015 can import and export many formats of solid and CAD data. This can be tested by exchanging sample files as required.

While solid modelling filters out a great deal of design issues, a physical prototype can reveal the more tactile and dynamic aspects of a new product. DDM technology allows this process to be relatively straight forward now.

Rapid-prototyping technology has advanced a great deal in recent years. Quarticom liases with services available locally and overseas, capable of producing prototypes within a couple of days in some cases. Functional part prototypes can be ordered in a range of plastic and cast-metal materials.

For a fully functional multi-part assembly, you may require more than just plastic parts. There may be electronic components or mechanical off-shelf parts to be fitted. Also, some parts may have to be machined directly from metal, requiring the services of a machine-shop. At this stage, it pays to start working with whoever may be manufacturing the final parts for production.

Production is the stage where good design and testing pay their dividends. The main parameter that affects this stage is the quantities you require. Your first run may be relatively small, and you may need to build up to bigger runs. Smaller & larger batch sizes require different approaches, so managing the transitions becomes important.

Whether it be sourcing, machining, assembly or packaging, I can advise you or directly liaise with suppliers. If you require jigs, fixtures, work-space layout or automation, these can be explored also.