News
Rapid prototyping – bringing a product to life
12 March 2015Technological improvements have changed the working life of mechanical engineers, speeding the process of initial concept through to design using intuitive 3D CAD software.
Even relative new comers to mechanical engineering, like 24 year old Spanish born Santi Martinez Nunez, have seen the development process transformed. Charting his path from university in Spain to joining the Welsh based GX Group as a mechanical design engineer, Santi looks at how 3D printing and software quicken the time it takes to develop a commercially viable product.
From studying Mechanical Engineering at the University of Navarre, Santi left his home town of Pamplona to undertake a short work placement with GX Group. During his time at the Usk based GX Design Engineers he demonstrated a unique understanding of mechanical engineering that led to him accepting a permanent position. Since June, Santi has been one of the design engineers developing functional products for a range of sectors including the automotive industry as well as medical and scientific companies.
Bringing a client’s design to life
“Whilst my course was very much theory based, nothing beats the thrill of working within a practical environment like at GX Design Engineers,” comments Santi. “I enjoy converting client’s ideas into practical objects that work; for me as a mechanical design engineer my main focus is always upon ensuring the design is fit for purpose.”
From initial meetings the product designers will take the outline concept and using sophisticated software develop designs for commercially successful products. Transforming these conceptual ideas into a potential product has become quicker through innovations in rapid prototyping.
Prototyping highlights how and if a design functions as a product, but most importantly helps to reduce the increasing economic pressures placed upon new product development.
Rapid prototyping
Rapid prototyping is now so accurate it simulates the production, design and materials, thereby cutting down margin for error. Designers like Santi can instantly gain valuable feedback from the client that can easily be incorporated into the design.
“We now have such accurate ways of producing prototypes using 3D modeling techniques CNC machining and 3D printing that we can prototype the final designs in aluminum, steel or even plastic within a days. For me it’s one of the most exciting parts of my job – seeing my design come to life as a functioning, commercially viable product.”
Low Volume manufacturing
“Today’s software also allows such a high degree of accuracy that we can even machine parts directly from a CAD drawing to be the finished part of a product. This advancement has helped us to produce several one off units for clients who do not want to mass produce a product.”
The future?
The accuracy and efficiency of 3D printers has taken product development to innovative new highs. As Santi concludes, printers that can use a variety of materials from metal, plastic, ceramic, wood and even glass are the future.