Just what is industrial design?
Manufacturers know their products need to compete in many ways: functionality, reliability and the right price are vital to all products, but how they look and feel also have a significant influence on purchase decision-making. Industrial design is about adding value to products by making them more attractive, distinctive and a pleasure to look at, to hold and to use.

Why is design important?
Manufacturers worldwide have embraced design as a powerful competitive weapon- Apple Computers, Philips, Silicon Graphics, Dyson and Psion are just a handful of examples of successful, design-led companies. Because of attention to design, a Psion organiser is more than just a useful tool; it is an object of desire. No matter how small the company, no matter what they make, design can make it more competitive.

So how can NEPPCO help my company with product design?
Whatever the level of your engineering resources, NEPPCO can help. Working as part of your development team, we will develop design concepts for your evaluation in the form of visuals, physical models and computer-generated images. Not just pretty pictures- practical, workable design solutions which can be manufactured, at the right price. Your engineers may wish to take over the detail development. Alternatively, NEPPCO have all the resources to take the development through to launch, working with you, using 3D CAD and rapid prototyping and tooling solutions to shorten time to market. We can recommend the most appropriate materials and processes, and the most capable sub-contracting manufacturers.

Services

Design concepts and visuals
Creative services for engineering, developing and presenting ideas for product appearance and feel. Concepts can be presented as full colour images and also in the more tactile form of models in foam, card or clay.

Model making
Designs can be presented as solid appearance models, to accurately represent the shape and form in 3 dimensions. These models are also ideal for market research and promotional photography ahead of manufacture.

Engineering detail
Concept designs are prepared for manufacture using 2D and 3D computer-aided design. Full manufacturing specification is provided, as CAD data (e.g. IGES surfaces) and/or 2D drawings, assemblies and parts lists.

Rapid prototypes
From the manufacturing data, prototype parts can be produced by a number of techniques, such as stereo lithography, laser sintering or CNC machining, in a matter of days, or even hours. This allows for the testing of component fit and function prior to commissioning expensive tooling.

Consultancy and project managementIndependent advice on materials, processes and manufacturers, and management of the implementation stages of the project. Planning, liaison with suppliers, toolmakers and third parties.