Handling the Top 5 Design Challenges with Virtual Prototyping

Machinery design today requires us to demonstrate skills like multidisciplinary knowledge, excellent communication capabilities, and inquisitiveness.

For many years faster, better and cheaper was the credo for machine design engineers. Energy efficiency and smaller footprint recently made this list. The solution for all those
constraints is often the adoption of new technologies like high-end
control systems, sophisticated algorithms and a multitude of electronic
components, turning a machine into a mechatronic system.

Consequently design complexity has increased with the size of design teams, and the different design groups are forced to work closer together. In a mechatronic system every
decision made has a ripple effect throughout the design project.




http://http://www.designworldonline.com/articles/5748/245/Handling-...

Tags: Mechatronics, Prototyping, Virtual

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Permalink Reply by Jack DePasquale on April 27, 2010 at 10:39am
I have been considering purchasing a 3d printer. Is there much of a market for rapid prototyping, where can I get info on
the potential market for this type of work? These machines are not very expensive anymore, but I would like some data as far as what I can expect in regard to my return on investment. What can I expect to charge for a model? Where can I find customers? I already have 4 axis milling capability and several modeling programs.
Permalink Reply by Scott McCafferty on April 27, 2010 at 4:48pm
Hi Jack, there is a strong market for this type of work and I'm sure folks engaged in the discussion might be of help with specifics....my 2 cents would be to start with your current customers and ask them about projects. Secondly, consider exploring what competitive shops in the area are offering. Finally, consider attending a local show in your area. On the supplier side, I"m sure any number of folks would have hard detail about the growth of the market for you. I think you'll be encouraged to see the upside opportunity with expanding your capabilities in this area.

Hope this helps and best of luck,

Scott
Permalink Reply by Jack DePasquale on April 27, 2010 at 5:06pm
Thanks for your input.

Scott McCafferty said:
Hi Jack, there is a strong market for this type of work and I'm sure folks engaged in the discussion might be of help with specifics....my 2 cents would be to start with your current customers and ask them about projects. Secondly, consider exploring what competitive shops in the area are offering. Finally, consider attending a local show in your area. On the supplier side, I"m sure any number of folks would have hard detail about the growth of the market for you. I think you'll be encouraged to see the upside opportunity with expanding your capabilities in this area.

Hope this helps and best of luck,

Scott
Permalink Reply by Jamie Gearig on January 12, 2011 at 8:05am

The is a huge market for Rapid Prototyping with additive manufacturing.  I am very new to industry but have quickly learned that this technology is rapid improving and be used with so many applications.  The possiblities are unlimited.

 

Jamie Gearig

GPI Prototype

 

Permalink Reply by Caren Vay on January 13, 2011 at 8:46am

Hi Larry, it is interesting that you mentioned this. A topic about the reliablity of multi-disciplinary optimisation in the design process was featured not so long ago in the EnginSoft newsletter.

http://www.enginsoft.com/newsletter/2010_3/index.html

 

 

Caren

Permalink Reply by Product Design Engineer on February 5, 2011 at 9:15am

I use rapid prototyping all the time and it's become an invaluable tool to quickly and inexpensively test the functionality of products I design.  From a business standpoint, however, you'll have to do quite a bit of volume to make any real money offering RP work as a service.  I worked for a local company some time ago that offered RP services, and they never made much of a profit.  You need to be cranking out tons of parts to capitalize on the thin margins, I think.

 

Aaron

AZ Product Development
Permalink Reply by Bentin P Gnananesan on October 31, 2011 at 3:35am

Design became simpler with these modern tools, CAD, CAM, FEA and prototyping.

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