Product Design Services

Design 1st provides a wide spectrum of physical design services including:

Research

Technically challenging products are our specialty. Finding a workable solution involves investigation and quantifying the unknowns. Research can take on the form of understanding the way a product will be installed and used in a human centered exploration of behaviour and preference. Research can also be a material investigation or finding a certain component or manufacturing technique. Product that gets hot and parts that move need analysis and could involve building and testing for example an optical path or determining a suitable liquid density. The first thing we do is determine the risks in a new product design and recommend which experts to engage to help determine solutions for each risk. Working closely with our clients we figure out what needs to be determined before launching head long into the physical design.

Concepts

Design 1st’s industrial design and mechanical planning team are experts in developing products that balance the requirements of customer needs, cost of manufacture and manufacturing practicality. We take a close look at competitive and complimentary products to get a strong understanding of how best to differentiate your design. Starting with sketching and hand models we reproduce all of the functions, ergonomics, graphics and visual form requirements for the new design. In the process of form, function and feature determination, intellectual property opportunities may come up which we bring to your attention. We can help with writing patents and Scientific Research and Experimental Development (SR&ED) applications. When a display based interface is involved we have simulation tools to help you determine display size/layout, keys and controls required for achieving a simple to use product. For complex interface designs we work closely with Macadamian, a trusted software partner.

Detailed Design and Documentation

Cost effective and engaging solutions are possible with low volume as well as high volume markets. Using state-of-the-art CAD tools (Solidworks and proEngineer), the design team creates and refines the product design in a three dimensional assembly model of the product with all of the physical components captured. The CAD model enables us to share the final product with e-drawings and image photo renderings. We can examine thermal and stress requirements, complete a tolerance analysis, perform a component and assembly fit analysis, and look at design for manufacturing (DFM). The resulting model database also contains all of the design data required for interacting directly with the selected prototype and production manufacturers. Design drawings and preliminary costing of parts and custom tooling complete our product specification to you.

Electronics Design and PCB Layout

Design 1st works closely with your electronics team or a selected contract services hardware development team. Our industry standard design tools allow us to capture designs quickly and provide a seamless interface to the PCB layout group for efficient circuit component layout, thermal checking and board prototyping. For turnkey design we work closely with Fidus Systems, a trusted and proven engineering design partner, who specializes in Electronic Product Development and verification.

Prototypes, Testing and Pre-Production

Design 1st helps companies design, refine and build quick prototypes and low volume product thru outside suppliers and our in-house machining center and finishing shop. With the design drawings and 3D CAD databases, Design 1st can have parts made, finished and physical assemblies built to allow you to assess and test the final designs before investing in expensive production tooling. We can revise part drawings and follow the design through tool build, compliance testing and pre-production. This ensures the product is transitioned to full production smoothly and effectively. If needed, we can introduce you to a variety of local and offshore suppliers and manufacturers to suit your build plans.