Feature

Designing with production in mind

In 2018, the New South Wales Government faced embarrassment after ordering $2 billion worth of new trains that were too wide for the tunnels.

01/04/2019 14:28:29

Font size:

To solve the issue, the Government body managing the rail system was forced to relax its safety standards and modify ten tunnels so that the new trains could run. Similarly, many product designers find they need to make significant adjustments when
they reach the production stage. Here Kevin Cook, Technical Manager of Intertronics, discusses the benefits of designing with production in mind.

When a design engineer requires an adhesive to bond one substrate to another, they can save time, money and effort by
designing with production in mind. During the design process, it is common to produce a prototype 3D model, using a variety of methods. The prototype will be tweaked, adjusted and improved until it matches form, fit and function requirements. However, if
the designer hasn’t considered how the prototype will be scaled up into a saleable product, they could run into problems. The designer could be forced to adapt their product, or the environment the product is going into, for it to be functional.

Intertronics recommends that the design engineer thinks about moulding, bonding and dispensing from the outset. Working with an adhesives specialist early on paves the way for a project to be completed smoothly and without hold ups.

Read the full article in the April issue of DPA

Written By Sophia Bell

Sophia Bell is the Group Editor of DPA, Connectivity, and PBSI. She joined the team in 2020 as Assistant Editor after achieving a First-Class Honours BA in English Literature and Film Studies from the University of East Anglia. In her current role, she leads the editorial strategy, driving digital growth and ensuring each title continues to deliver trusted, relevant insight for engineering and manufacturing professionals.