5 things to think about when creating a product

Has the start of a new year brought with it the desire to make improvements? Are you keen to finally get new product ideas off the ground?

That’s great, but as you enter into the final design stages, there are several important things to consider.

Want to know what they are?

Here, the team at Lupton and Place share all.

 

 

1.    How will it look?

All style and no substance is never going to be the key to success, but the importance of aesthetics shouldn’t be underestimated.

First impressions count, and the look of a product will have potential buyers forming opinions long before any real detail or specifications are considered.

So – whether it’s the highly polished shine of aluminium or the suitability for powder coating or plating – the desired requirements of the finished look need to be considered in-depth at an early stage.

 

2.    How will it feel?

If looks are important, then so too is the feel, and ergonomics need to feature highly in your design process.

Parts should be intuitive, comfortable, and easy to use.

In the end, it all comes down to function. If a part or product doesn’t fulfil its promise, the lure of any initial attraction will soon fade.

 

 

3.    What material will you use?

Do you need a metal that is conductive whilst still delivering maximum strength? Is weight an issue? Or perhaps avoiding corrosion is your top priority?

Whatever it is, it pays to think these things through now. It will help to focus and fine-tune further decisions and hone your chosen processes.

You need to be fully aware of both the strengths and weaknesses of all the options on the table. Consider the environmental impact, desired life span, compatibility with surrounding components etc, to get a comprehensive overview.

 

4.    How will you meet sustainability commitments?

Are green credentials important? As a business do you need to be able to evidence sustainability?

If this is something you haven’t really considered yet, now’s the time. It’s not just the responsible action for the environment – it’s the right thing to do for business too.

With growing pressure to commit to more environmentally friendly processes, failure to think things through at this stage could come back to bite you further down the line.

 

5.    What’s your preferred manufacturing process?

Is cost-effective mass production going to be the key focus? Are you looking for intricate detailing? Or is minimising waste the biggest goal?

Knowing the priority of these considerations will dictate the most appropriate manufacturing method.

CNC machining is, typically, more expensive than die casting, but production levels and the intricacies of the part are all contributing factors. If die casting is chosen, then what form of die casting? Structural, gravity, pressure or aluminium die casting all offer different favourable characteristics and outcomes, so it pays to speak to the professionals to seek out the method most guaranteed to offer you optimal results.

 

 

Need a hand?

Not sure you can answer all these questions? Unclear about whether CNC machining or die casting is the best route? Then why not speak to the experts?

Talk to the team here at Lupton and Place – Europe’s leading die casting company – if you need assistance identifying the most cost-effective and efficient route to creating a successful product.

Our friendly and knowledgeable team will happily chat through your project to help identify the best way to proceed and ensure you receive the maximum return from your investment.

Get 2023 off to a positive start and give your new ideas the full attention they deserve. Make contact today by calling 01282 422361 or fill in our contact form and we’ll get back to you as soon as we can.