While we'd like to walk you through the projects we've contributed to recently, the reality is that almost all of our projects remain subject to commercial-in-confidence restrictions. However, we thought it'd still be useful to identify a few common themes in our projects and provide a couple of downloadable examples.

Finite Element (FE) Analysis

FE analysis is an exceptionally powerful tool in modern engineering - it can be used to predict the stress, deflection and interactions of structures and components, which allows huge savings in development time compared to the traditional build-it-and-see approach. Recent advances in software and computing power mean that problems too difficult, large or expensive to tackle just five years ago can now be solved cost effectively.

We've used FE analysis to help our clients understand how their design works, reduce manufacture costs, improve strength and fatigue performance and reduce product development time. It's one of the best ways to answer the common question:

Improving design performance using FE analysis is Avode's core capability - we can use FE analysis results to rapidly prove designs, identify design issues before too much time is lost on the wrong path and diagnose the root cause of existing issues. Our experience in reviewing FE analysis results and our understanding of fundamental mechanical principles allow us to make rapid progress and achieve real results.

See some examples of what we've done with FE analysis: Product Design & Development | More coming soon!

3D CAD Design

Modern 3D CAD software can be used to compare designs for fit, form and function long before anything needs to be built. Designs can be virtually test-assembled, costed and weighed to help select the best option for manufacture and commercialisation. Parametric modelling techniques allow existing designs to be used to generate entirely new design variants by adjusting key dimensions, and it makes the economic advantage of design re-use a reality.

Avode's engineers have years of experience modelling with 3D CAD software, and we've recommended the right approach to develop design concepts for several clients. Many companies with their own in-house modelling and analysis capabilities turn to us for design development; our analysis and redesign efficiency is supremely cost effective.

Our SolidWorks CAD software can import and export designs in almost every common geometry format (including PDF and DXF!), which is a capability we've leveraged to import existing designs for clients and build detailed, accurate 3D models. If you’ve got an existing design library it's likely we'll be able to work with it.

See some examples of what we've done with 3D CAD: Lifting Arrangement and COG Location with 3D CAD | More coming soon!

Engineering Department for Hire!

Many local companies have in-house CAD or drafting resources that are sufficient to support the manufacture of an existing product, and to establish the form and layout of a proposed design. Without engineering input at this stage, the development process often morphs into the build-it-and-see method, as costs start to spiral and the development timeline disappears off into the distance. The value to the business created by the in-house group can be more than doubled with the addition of a well-resourced engineering team on an as-needed basis.

Design checks, concept reviews, material and process selection, root cause and failure analysis are just the beginning of the outputs that our engineers have delivered by working alongside our client's existing staff. By far the most popular output for Avode’s clients is the development and management of engineering documentation – in the form of auditable design calculation packages, quality and compliance documentation, technical manuals and so on.

Another popular option is CAD content for marketing material - even interactive models inside a PDF! All of our documentation is controlled in an ISO-compliant manner, managed using automatic document numbering, revision control and change tracking.

See some examples: Coming soon!