Mechanical Design

Mechanical design is a process that involves the manufacturing/construction of any complex object through the drawing up of a project. This process is never linear and involves a series of technical, regulatory, and engineering steps that can be continuously revised for best results.

The design purpose is: to define how to make a system performing the operation required by the client.

With that we mean a “concretization” process that stems from an idea and leads to an implementation design, which is able to guarantee that the actual starting idea is produced.

An effective design should always start from an accurate analysis of the client’s needs for a winning solution.

The mechanical design process can be divided into phases, or macro-steps, with characteristics that can be different according to the type of object to be designed and manufactured.

1. EXPLORATION

In the first phase of mechanical design it is necessary to:

Define the tasks that the object has to accomplish:

• What are the client’s objectives?
• What is the environment where the product to be made has to work?
• Who are the final users?

In case of a design (or re-design) of an existing product, the client’s requests often start from different kinds of needs:

• Following the regulations
• Updating the design
• Optimizing the productive processes
• Carrying out market research
• Understanding what production technologies are used by the competition
• Predicting costs
• Verifying any existing patents
• Verifying any regulatory and ergonomic constraints

2. ANALYSIS AND FEASIBILITY STUDY

Once the basic elements are gathered in the second phase of the design, we proceed with a feasibility study that should include the following:

• cost analysis
• analysis of the product’s internal characteristics (materials’ behaviour)
• analysis of the product’s history, in case of an adjustment design
• design analysis

When the analysis time has finished, we go ahead with a first project drafting that includes:

• software check and set-up: to make sure the project can be shared between designer and client, it is essential that their operating systems use the same language. The set-up will make it possible for the technical drawings to be shared and stored correctly in the client’s database
• production of the first few drafts and outline drawings
• production of the first few study models
• specification and structural verification

3. OUTLINE DESIGN CHECK

The third phase includes a client’s feedback. The prototype or outline project undergoes a stress test to check if it meets the client’s needs. In particular, we check that:

• regulations are observed
• premium technologies are used for that product
• the budget is respected
• the design is functional
• assembly times are optimized
• the compliance with the competitiveness in the reference field is met

We then go ahead with structural verifications leading to a new design or revision of some parts.
It is a very delicate phase because all the economical, physical, usage or ergonomic characteristics of the product, which is the object of the design, are defined. This is the phase when we work most closely together with the customer (technical and IT departments, as well as the commercial department).

3. OUTLINE DESIGN CHECK

The third phase includes a client’s feedback. The prototype or outline project undergoes a stress test to check if it meets the client’s needs. In particular, we check that:

• regulations are observed
• premium technologies are used for that product
• the budget is respected
• the design is functional
• assembly times are optimized
• the compliance with the competitiveness in the reference field is met

We then go ahead with structural verifications leading to a new design or revision of some parts.
It is a very delicate phase because all the economical, physical, usage or ergonomic characteristics of the product, which is the object of the design, are defined. This is the phase when we work most closely together with the customer (technical and IT departments, as well as the commercial department).

5. DOCUMENTATION

The final phase consists of producing documents, which can differ from client to client. Some examples:

• exploded drawings
• assembly and disassembly videos
• 3D rendering
• user’s manual
• parts’ maintenance and replacement manual

These documents can be stored in the customers’ databases in the safest way and with confidentiality.

PROJECT | mechanical design | CASE HISTORY: Cefla ergonomic orthodontist’s chair

PROJECT | mechanical design | CASE HISTORY: RCF new design for a better sound

Project srl can boast 30 years of experience in all mechanical design fields, with projects within different sectors: recreation, automation, agriculture, car components, etc.

Having a full overview of the design world has always allowed us to take new challenges with competence and reliability, and to bring ideas and innovative skills, that were gained in different fields, in each project.

We can guarantee:

• usage of high-level software
• sharing of working methodology: for CAD and PDM we are able to align with IT systems, set-ups and working methodologies
• design of all phases thanks to a vision as a whole, always starting from the client’s needs
• safety and confidentiality: NDAs and non-competition agreements are stipulated with our clients. We also rely on an internal policy that prevents us from working on similar projects for competing clients.
• reliable and continuous collaboration: each project is followed up by a project manager and a supervisor, the client always deals with at least two contact persons. In this way, the project is constantly monitored when it comes to deadlines and quality level.
• highly qualified and informed personnel: in a rapidly evolving world like the one of mechanical design, it is not enough to be knowledgeable and able to use different types of software. On-going training is crucial to remain competitive on the market and keep offering an innovative service.

PROJECT | mechanical design: FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT US