Industries where people use their skills and work with their hands to make something magical from what initially seems so lacking luster and basic we couldn’t even begin to imagine its possibilities is something to be marveled at and admired. Turning generic and conventionally bland materials into works of art and equipment or elements that can be used to save lives, get us from A to B, or even elevate businesses is a talent we should all appreciate more than we do.
Too often we take for granted the way machinery works, how it got to do the jobs it is designed to, who created them to allow for a result so great it can make people money, or even how it can evolve into tools we need and depend on every day.
The wisdom behind the creations is something we need to look into to get a better understanding of how it all works, what the vision was that created such innovation, and how can we use it in our lives to make it work for us and our business.
Behind the scenes.
If you have been to a factory or warehouse where there is a manufacturing plant and production line then only can you truly appreciate the beauty of what it takes to make designs and innovations come to life? The roar of machinery being guided and programmed to perform specific functions and duties which work harmoniously and seamlessly to deliver an item that resembles nothing of the flat, matt-looking metal sheets we see at the beginning stages.
You may have a design in mind for a new prototype you are considering putting to market but need the expertise from industry professionals to make it happen, then visiting online brochures or the company’s webpages such as UHI Group’s website is a great starting point to see which services are available and will best suit your project.
Make several appointments with various companies, visit their premises, ask for a tour or walk-around to see the facilities and this way you will see how they conduct their business, the scale of the operation which lends it hand to the longevity the company has been trading for, and the professionalism on how they pride themselves in their work. It is easy enough to talk to someone on the phone and have them say exactly what you want to hear for them to sign you on for a project, but asking questions face-to-face is a whole other ball game.
You want a company that shows an interest in what you have to say, can give suggestions or advice on how to improve on your design in terms of efficacy or cost-effectiveness, and makes you feel comfortable. The last thing you need is a ‘yes’ firm that has no particular interest other than taking on another project and making a profit. Research is key when finding the right fit, don’t rush it, this is your dream you want to make a reality after all.
Knowing what you want.
So you have your sketchbook in hand, a headspace crammed full with ideas and designs and creations, and you have come up with something you are hoping will be the next best thing to hit industry markets around the world. But first, you need to get it made, well, the sample at least to begin with. This is what we like to call a prototype, see here https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prototype to read a more in-depth description of it, but essentially it is the first rough version that is built to do all the necessary testing and data analysis before you invest in mass production of the final product.
A metal forming and shaping company is your best option when it comes to making your dreams become a reality and seeing your drawings turned into something physical. Sitting with industry professionals will help you get a clearer idea about what it could look like at the end, they will be able to guide and advise you on the best methods and materials for a quality result, and as you build a working relationship you will be able to edit and tweak the product as you go with their help.
Getting the ball rolling.
Ideally, you would begin with a sketch or drawing and design that you envision your product to look like, this would include as many details as possible which you can edit at a later stage including any measurements and diameters.
This next step is optional but will give a much better idea of your concept and that is to create a 3D design model, this would then be sent for proofing and to see if it is construction ready. Once you have the clarity you can take this to a metal shaping and forming company where they will mold metal in magical ways which end up being your final design.
Now that you have the prototype complete you can begin looking at it again, elements that would make it more efficient, components to make it more effective in its task, and with unpressured and unbiased assistance from your hired company there is no reason why your product wouldn’t be a success.
The wonder of metal forming and shaping is the attention to detail you can achieve to make your product bespoke and stand out from the crowd, the last thing you want is another item that simply blends in with society. No thank you.
A final thought.
After much deliberation with your co-workers and founders as well as your product development team, you can begin the discussion and implementation of manufacturing and production. Exciting times. While it may be a small fortune or lump sum for the initial investment to get things up and running we need to remember the old saying in the business where ‘you have to spend money to make money.’ If you believe in what you have created and have a support team beside you, your dreams can and will come true.
