Expertise
Cast Iron CAD has worked on a wide variety of industries for a diverse range of clients. We are extremely adaptable and our team of design engineers can find a solution to almost any kind of challenge. Find out more about some of our expertise & services below.
Design & engineer
Design > Optimisation > Prototypes > Testing
Production
Production engineering > Assembly methods
Project management
Idea > Engineer > Production > Fulfillment
Optional project services:
- Product lifetime support
- Compliance and safety (CE)
- Consultation & University seminars
- Patents and design rights (IP)
- Funding applications
Optional production services:
- Manufacturing & assembly
- Supply chain management
- Inspection of manufacturing facilities
- Production routing
- MRP/ERP system design
- Quality control documentation
Optional design & engineering services:
- Marketing renders
- Finite Element Analysis (FEA)
- Line art for patents
Production engineering methods
Design, Engineering & Production Techniques used:
CIC works with all industrial manufacturing techniques:
Polymer Engineering:
Advanced polymer product development
Areas of expertise:
Injection
molding (RIM, MIM, blowing agent foamed), Extrusion (multiple layer,
straight profile), Blow-molding, Sheet thermoforming (vacuum,
pressurized), Thermosetting compounds (compression, transfer molding,
casting), rubber molding, 3D Printing (SLA, SLS, CLIP), Foam Sheet &
punching, Rotational Molding, CNC machining (multiple axis, lathe),
joining (vibration welding, gluing, assembly, snap-fit), surface
finishing.
Metalwork:
CNC machining (multiple axis,
lathe), casting (lost wax, sand casting, shell molding), Fabrication
(welding, brazing, gluing, riveting, Soldering, assembly, fusion),
Finishing (grinding, hand polishing, electro-polishing, coating (paint,
electroplating, galvanising), extrusion, rolling, bending, cutting
(laser, water, punching), pressing, tempering, engraving, spinning,
swaging.
Ceramics:
CNC machining (multiple axis, lathe), injection molding via sintering.
Woodworking:
Handcrafted,
CNC milled, lathe, finishing (polished, painted, hot stamping, laser
etching) Joining (assembly, standard joints, gluing), routing
Chart of activities
The innovate.engineer diagram shows a "chart of activities" at its base, so far, after developing over 260 products this has proved to be a comprehensive way of accounting for all the activities worked on when working from idea to distribution, part of project scoping is highlighting which of these activities are required as the project moves forward. This not only highlights the project plan, but can also highlight some items that have been skipped along the way, giving clarity to the project, and keeping expectations aligned.
Innovate
The exiting part: A new invention, a way to improve a product!
02. Discover
Identify "Value goals"
Understand industry
Customer persona
Market context enquiry
Establish IP strategy
Stakeholder and user interviews
Brainstorming
03. Innovate
Impact mapping
Group ideas
Evaluate priorities
Affinity diagram
Target audience
Technology research
Sustainability
Market research
Focus groups
04. Evaluate
Competitor review
Market analysis
Risk Assessment
Confirmation bias
User workshops
Product themes/types
MVP
Value proposition canvas
Products and services
Gain creators
Pain relievers
Value propositions
Customer segments
Business model canvas
Key partners
Key activities
key resources
Customer relationships
Channels
Revenue Streams
Cost structure
Engineer
The technical part: Optimising the product ready for manufacturing.
05. Define
Design Brief
Specification details
Moodboard
Timeline & investment
RRP & quantity estimation
06. Design
Brainstorming
Sketching
Mechanical concepts
Electronic concepts
Branding
Concept 3D CAD
Basic 2D drafting
Marketing renders
Packaging design
Funding research
Competing products
07. Engineer
Construction CAD 2D/3D
Technology review
Materials research
Mechanical analysis
Electrical engineering
Engineering CAD
Engineering drawings
Patent documentation
Industry standards
FMEA
CE UKCA paperwork
CAD pre-production
Record iterations and developments
08. Develop
Proof of concept models
Presentation model
Functional
Pre-production
Production prototype
Focus group*
A/B testing
Fit Form Function
User Testing
CE UKCA extreme testing
Manufacture
The business part: Production-ready documents, quality control, assembly & API to our MRP system.
09. Manufacture
Production 3D CAD
Production drawings
Production methods
Quality control documents
Assembly methods
PLM system
Routing & instructions
Packaging
Master production schedule
MRP system
10. Deliver
Sales forecasts*
Product launch costs
Marketing feedback*
CRM system*
Supply chain management - Fulfillment
International Standards
Product Insurance*
Customs *
Sales API link to MRP
*External service to CIC Ltd
Get in touch
If all this sounds perfect for the idea you are working on please feel free to get in touch and tell us a little about the product you are looking to develop.