Developing a new product or modifying an existing product line has several challenges. Both situations tend to be a battle of quality versus time. Emphasize one over the other, and the other factor deteriorates—focusing on speed to market can sacrifice quality control and vice versa.
Your company can overcome these dual challenges by working with a material specialist like Adherex early in the design and prototyping process. Adherex commonly works with engineers, packaging engineers, and designers in various industries, including automotive, aerospace, healthcare, and shipping, to find the right materials to suit individual needs. Adherex specialists help engineers with material selection, substrates, and adhesives.
Some designers know precisely what they need and know we provide the appropriate products. Other engineers reach out at the forefront of product design for ideas and recommendations. Adherex is equipped to work with both ends of this spectrum and everything in between.
How rapid prototyping benefits engineers
Rapid prototyping is a means of creating a full-scale mockup of the product and testing it early. It is much easier and more cost-effective to stress test and adapt a prototype than to adjust production models. By embracing rapid prototyping, manufacturers can save on costly mistakes that will haunt engineers later in the process. A physical copy has the added advantage of helping test for ergonomics and user-friendliness. It can also be a tool for presenting to investors and other early stakeholders.
Sometimes, an engineer will prototype the same materials as the eventual production model. This approach has the advantage of working through any potential issues with the final product. However, this method can be cost-prohibitive. A material specialist can recommend materials that function similarly but cost less than the end product material. Our specialists can advise you on the pros and cons of each material, helping you select the right substance for each design and prototyping phase.
Learn more: Rapid Prototyping: Accelerating Innovation and Efficiency
How engineers benefit from working with a material specialist
When the material specialists at Adherex collaborate closely with engineers at the forefront of product design, the synergy can yield numerous benefits.
1. Innovative material selection
- Advanced materials: Materials experts bring knowledge of cutting-edge materials such as tapes, films, foams, and other specialty materials. These materials can enhance product performance, durability, and efficiency.
- Tailored solutions: By working with engineers early in the design process, materials experts can suggest materials that are specifically tailored to meet the demands of the application, whether it be for strength, protection, or BSR alleviation.
2. Enhanced performance
- Material costs: Materials experts can help balance performance with cost, suggesting alternative materials or processes that can reduce manufacturing expenses without sacrificing quality.
- Production efficiency: By understanding the properties of different materials, they can recommend more efficient processes or reduce costs.
- Minimized weight: Lightweight materials can significantly lower shipping costs, especially in industries where shipping fees are calculated based on weight. Materials experts can optimize packaging to ensure minimal weight without compromising protection.
3. Cost optimization
- Material costs: Materials experts can help balance performance with cost, suggesting alternative materials or processes that can reduce manufacturing expenses without sacrificing quality.
- Production efficiency: By understanding the properties of different materials, they can recommend more efficient processes or reduce costs.
- Minimized weight: Lightweight materials can significantly lower shipping costs, especially in industries where shipping fees are calculated based on weight. Materials experts can optimize packaging to ensure minimal weight without compromising protection.
4. Enhanced safety
- Impact resistance: Materials experts can collaborate with engineers to design packaging that better absorbs shocks and impacts, reducing the likelihood of product damage.
- Barrier properties: For products sensitive to moisture, oxygen, or light, materials specialists can recommend barrier substances that protect the product’s integrity.
5. Temperature control
- Insulating materials: For temperature-sensitive products, experts can recommend insulating or phase-change materials that maintain the required temperature during transit to preserve product quality.
- Active and passive cooling: Depending on the product’s needs, our experts can also advise on integrating cooling technologies into packaging, such as refrigerated packaging or materials that dissipate heat.
6. Faster development cycles
- Rapid prototyping and testing: Materials experts can streamline the prototyping process by selecting materials that perform well during testing, reducing the number of iterations needed to achieve the desired performance.
- Simulations: Collaboration on material behavior simulations can predict how materials perform under real-world conditions, speeding up the design validation process.
7. Cross-disciplinary innovation
- Interdisciplinary collaboration: By collaborating with engineers, material specialists can integrate knowledge from other fields (e.g., thermal and aerodynamics) into the material selection process, leading to more innovative solutions.
- Knowledge transfer: Working together allows for exchanging knowledge between disciplines, enhancing the team’s expertise and leading to more informed decision-making.
Also read: The Evolution of the Adherex Business Model: Specialty Materials and Packaging
Elevating engineering projects through expert material insights
The collaboration between materials experts and engineers during the product design stage is a critical factor that drives innovation, bolsters performance, and streamlines expenses.
At Adherex, we pride ourselves on a unique portfolio that spans various businesses and services, significantly augmenting our comprehension of specialty materials across multiple industries. This extensive understanding enables us to offer tailored material solutions that meet the distinct needs of manufacturers operating in diverse sectors. Specifically, our expertise addresses the requirements of those in the aerospace, nautical, packaging, and transportation industries, among others.
By combining our deep industry insights with our commitment to innovation, Adherex stands at the forefront of providing advanced and effective material solutions that not only meet but exceed our clients’ expectations.
Need the advice of a material specialist? Get in touch.
