Tubing rotator
As an example of our oilfield experience: a prominent oilfield service company needed a way to rotate a down-hole drill pipe at the very consistent, but very slow rate required to cut consistent, and predictable slot widths, and lengths. Conventional hydraulics were unsuitable to rotate a pipe consistently at a very slow rate without jumping, and surging. Existing methods were cumbersome, and not practical to setup, teardown, and transport easily. We arrived at a solution that satisfied all the criteria, was simple, easy to fabricate, easy to setup, easy breakdown for transport, and used existing units systems for power. It has been in use for well over a decade using this same design.
Monitor Arm
A great example of our product design experience: a console manufacturer had a special need for a custom 4 flat-screen arm that could be electronically adjusted to suit any user need. The end result was a very ergonomic, and aesthetic assembly that ended up becoming part of their mainstream product line offering. It accommodated different monitor sizes, could tilt forward and backward, as well as raise and lower via electronic actuators. It also had outer "wings" that could rotate inward for more of a surround feel, and better viewing angles. The entire assembly could adjust closer, or further from the viewer as well. The Los Angeles 9-1-1 call center was one of the largest clients for this product with over 180 installations.
Custom Robot
Another custom product design example: a small start-up company required a custom purpose robotic device to deploy several items within a very confined space...a 4" drain pipe! They needed it to be inexpensive, easy to manufacture, and have interchangeable "cars" for each product they wished to deploy. The solution was to use off-the-shelf micro gearboxes, air actuators, miniature drive components, sealed electric motors, and an easily fabricated, multi-part, articulated sheet metal chassis. The prototype exceeded all their performance expectations.
Blending Unit
Another example of our extensive oilfield experience: an oilfield service company required a complete unit design for in-house fabrication. The custom unit contained features, system simplicity, and increased functionality not found in conventionally available units. The challenge was to deliver a design that met their all their needs, but they didn't know exactly what they needed. We worked with service line managers, field personnel, fabrication/maintenance managers, and engineers to come up with a set of criteria, constraints, and critical aims to define the unit completely before design work began. Bi-weekly progress meetings, and solid project management throughout the entire project kept changes, delays, and redesign to an absolute minimum. The project was broken into large "Building Block" sections and divided up once the space planning/initial block layout was complete. This allowed several designers to be working on the project simultaneously with little or no conflict saving time, and allowed us to stay on schedule. Value engineering throughout the project reduced part count, and reuse of parts, and assemblies cut both design, and fabrication time dramatically.
Natural Gas Compression Skid
An example of our varied oilfield experience: a gas compression packager required on-site design services to help complete some short-deadline projects. They did not want to hire, and train a permanent position they would likely not require once the short-deadline projects were completed. We came in, and with our industry experience, and Solidworks knowledge, hit the ground running. We were able to assist them in working through the backlog of projects in record time. This established a very good relationship, which has turned into a solid repeat client who has no problems referring our services to others.
Wheel Rim
Another custom Product Design example: a custom car fabricator required a custom application of an existing design for a client. The specific offset for a wheel rim was not available, and the customer was insistent on having the exact bore/offset/bolt pattern for his vehicle. This meant a completely custom wheel. We were approached, received the specifics, and did the preliminary design. The design accommodated the bore, offset, and bolt pattern requested, and adjusted the mesh pattern to suit. Once approved, a machining drawing package was produced, and delivered to the machinist, along with the 3-dimensional model for programming. The center was to be CNC milled using a 5-axis unit from a solid block of aluminum alloy. A truly custom wheel design, and a very happy customer in the end.