How can you use materials and manufacturing to boost your product design career?

Choosing materials and how you make stuff isn't just about technical details in design. It's like picking the ingredients for a recipe – it affects how good, affordable, eco-friendly, and cool your product turns out. Knowing the nitty-gritty of materials and manufacturing helps you decide wisely, matching what you want to achieve in design with what users want and what sells well. It's like avoiding making your cake too complicated, too simple, or using too many eggs. Understanding this stuff is like having a map; it keeps you from getting lost and wasting things.

In my experience, functionality is the core of product design .. functionality gets delivered through right material ( strength aspects) and right form and shape aspects ( rigidity/ motion/ fit/ flow, etc).. a combination of materials and manufacturing processes gives the designer ample choice to balance the cost-functionality-quality triplet otherwise known as the survival triplet .. form and shape broadly get defined thru a combo of material and manufacturing process .. for instant when one uses polyoxymethylene ( delrin) for a gear, it gives flexibility of a cycloidal shape, self lubricating for frictionless movement and also a high productive injection moulding process ..

Material and manufacturing choices critically impact product cost, quality, and compliance. Material selection affects durability, strength, and cost, influencing long-term expenses and maintenance needs. The manufacturing process determines precision, consistency, and scalability, crucial for mass production. Compliance with industry standards is non-negotiable, especially in sectors like aerospace or medicine. End-use conditions dictate material resilience and manufacturing robustness; for instance, extreme environments require materials with high thermal stability. Efficient material and process choices ensure economic viability and adherence to quality and safety norms.

I was very fortunate to work alongside some amazing designers & engineers early on in my career. They taught me to see a two pronged approach to materials & manufacturing - 1. Discover the limitations & use the constraints to guide your design toward a manufacturable and cost efficient solution, temporarily treating manufacturing & materials as "fixed". 2. Be VERY curious and ask "how might we..?" to the limitations & constraints to discover that what appears "fixed" is actually is quite moveable. Stay hyper curious to win.

In der Beleuchtungsindustrie Tirols ist die Verwendung von Holz ein Beispiel für effektive Materialwahl. Dieses lokale, nachhaltige Material erh?ht die emotionale Bindung und integriert regionale Kultur ins Design. Kombiniert mit moderner Technik und traditioneller Handwerkskunst, werden so Produkte geschaffen, die funktional, nachhaltig und kulturell bedeutsam sind.

The right material depends on: Application: What the product does and where it works Loads: How much force and stress the product faces Environment condition: How the product interacts with water, air, chemicals, etc. Cost effective solution: How much the material costs and saves Ease of manufacturing: How easy the material is to make and shape A common example of material selection is the sea ship propeller, which is a rotating device that propels the ship through water. The propeller has to endure high hydrodynamic forces, cavitation, erosion, corrosion, and fatigue. Therefore, the material for the propeller should have high strength, toughness, hardness, and corrosion resistance. Eg. Hastealloy, SS, Nickle - Al alloy, Bronze alloy

Craft your career with the right materials: it's the designer's secret sauce. Choose with precision, like an artist picking the perfect brushstroke. In the world of product design, the right material isn't just a choice; it's your signature on the masterpiece of innovation.

Selection of the material is based on the following: - application of the product. - interface components - working temperature - environment conditions - Durability requirements - end of life requirements. - Manufactuability - Cost Selection can be done by surrogate databases on similarly application, material libraries and standard. Testing is must if we are using any new material. -

Material selection is typically related to the product special considerations and typically the knowledge rests with the subject matter experts. Use the experience of the people around you. Material selection guides are no substitute for real world experience and knowledge in a particular product type. Feel free to challenge with new materials or out of the box choices. However, many have taken the path before you and know much more than a chart and understand the particular application(s).

La elección del material adecuado depende del resultado que se quiera lograr en calidad, vida útil y prestaciones, nicho de mercado al que se apunta, así como también de la ubicación geográfica con respecto a la empresa en la cual se produce, ente otras.

Sculpt success in your product design journey: nail the manufacturing process. It's not just about building, but how you build. Choose the right process like a maestro selecting instruments—harmony in creation, efficiency in execution. In the realm of design, the right manufacturing is the key that unlocks career greatness.

Choosing the right manufacturing process involves evaluating factors like production volume, complexity, and cost. The Pugh Matrix can aid in decision-making by comparing various processes. It's essential to match the process with the product's design requirements for optimal results.

When creating toy and game prototypes, for those without 3D design skills, I believe it’s important to request files in a format that can easily be used by others who may help with additional prototypes or manufacturing. Without going too much into this, an STL file is not enough, in my opinion. I would request a STEP file when possible as well as the native file format for applications like Fusion360 and/or Solidworks.

Recently, I designed a unique smartphone case and faced the challenge of choosing the right manufacturing process. Considering factors like design complexity, production volume, and cost, I decided on a hybrid approach: 3D printing for prototyping and injection molding for mass production. This decision perfectly balanced quality, efficiency, and scalability.

In medical device industry, regulations impose a very selected range of materials. It is very important to provide customers with the most appropriate material depending on the intended use of the medical device. As the process can affect the ability of a material to be successful in biocompatibility testings, it is important to determine which one of this process can offer the best way to manufacture parts.

Communicating material and manufacturing choices is essential in the product design process. Justify and explain choices to stakeholders using sketches, diagrams, models, or specifications. Present decisions clearly and convincingly to ensure understanding and support.

Lavoisier a dit "Rien ne se perd, rien ne se crée, tout se transforme". Le design est un éternel recommencement et si les modes changent elle renaissent toujours. En packaging comme dans la mode, rien ne vaut l'historique de ce qui a été déjà produit pour pouvoir construire de nouveaux packaging innovants et marquants. Conservez tout ce que vous avez fait dans votre carrière et servez vous en de modèle, la solution à votre prochain packaging est certainement un doux mélange de ce que vous avez déjà produit. Pour autant celui-ci sera à nouveau innovant car il sera la concrétisation de plusieurs techniques utilisées séparément.

Effective communication of material and manufacturing choices is vital for collaboration. Employ visual aids like infographics and share detailed specifications. Clearly articulate the reasoning behind decisions, emphasizing how they align with the product's design goals and market demands.

To effectively communicate material and manufacturing choices, consider your audience: For Customers, highlight how chosen materials ensure optimal performance in expected working conditions and enhance mechanical properties. Also, emphasise the material's contribution to aesthetics and the product's overall look and feel. For Regulatory Authorities, focus on compliance, showing how materials and processes align with industry standards. Supporting documents include: Material Certificates, from vendors, confirming quality and specifications. Performance Data, tests as per industry standards, proving material efficacy and safety. This concise communication strategy ensures each stakeholder receives relevant and essential information.

Understand the pros and cons of each alternative and how this impacts manufacturability, performance and product quality. Drawbacks to any of these areas must be justified in relation to the alternative choices.

Stay curious and reach out to experts whenever you feel your own experience is lacking. Never accept “It’s impossible “ at face value until you’ve at least tried to fully understand and appreciate the problems.

Reading a blogs are not valuable unless you are able to distinguish the good ones from the bad ones. I try to keep up with trend. I have 25-years of experience, and I read all technical documents, articles, and stories. I have found that ASME.org and sites of the same nature, but a varied discipline are great. The same may be said about the best of the industry organizations’ sites (SME, IEEE, etc.). When you are at the level of an OEM or product; These sites become more commercial. I have found information quoted from these sites as the gospel. The is a great machine tools site with wonderful information, same for Automation, etc. There products are used to show advantage, yes, but through education.

Boost your product design career by staying ahead in material and manufacturing trends! Stay curious and open-minded, exploring the latest developments and opportunities. Utilize tools like blogs, podcasts, magazines, and events to learn and network with professionals in the field. Being informed and adaptable is key to success in product design

Restez sans cesse en veille de ce qui se fait (même si vous avez l'impression de l'avoir déjà vu). Arpentez les allées des salons professionnels à la recherche d'une éventuelle nouveauté qui peut se cacher. Mais surtout soyez prescripteurs auprès de ceux qui peuvent faire évoluer les choses en étant source de propositions, même farfelues et n'hésitez pas à mettre en relation les sociétés qui même parfois concurrentes, chacune dans leurs spécificités pourraient contribuer à créer ensemble l'innovation de demain. La concurrence ce n'est pas dépasser l'autre, s'est aussi parfois s'allier pour être meilleur au service d'un marché.

Las tendencias en acabados y materiales son una parte muy importante de la decoración y el dise?o de interiores. El dise?o busca crear armonía y tranquilidad ya que afecta directamente a nuestro estado de ánimo y cómo nos sentimos. Una forma efectiva de saber las tendencias en las redes sociales es utilizar herramientas de monitoreo específicas. Estas herramientas te permiten realizar un seguimiento de los temas y hashtags populares en tiempo real.

Improving your skills in materials and manufacturing involves a combination of education, practical experience, and staying updated with the latest trends and technologies. Here are some strategies to consider: 1) Work in R&D Material Lab: This can provide deeper insights into material properties and processes. 2) Continuous Learning and Adaptation: Embrace a mindset of continuous learning and be open to adapting to new technologies and methods. 3) Usage of Simulation Software: This can help in understanding the intricacies of how different materials behave under various conditions. 4) Mentorship: Their guidance can be invaluable in navigating your career and skill development in materials and manufacturing.

1. Complete on job training 2. Reading industry publications 3. Practice your Skills 4. Take short courses 5. learn from youtubers

Improve material and manufacturing skills by advancement, which involves a blend of theoretical knowledge, practical application, networking, and a commitment to continual learning in a rapidly evolving field. Education & Experience: Gain relevant degrees, hands-on learning, and specialized training. Stay Updated: Follow industry trends, attend events, and network for insights. Skills Development: Learn advanced tech, conduct research, and engage in projects. Collaborate & Learn: Seek mentorship, problem-solve, and innovate through projects. Software & Ethics: Master CAD/CAM, stay compliant, and be ethically aware in advancements.

Enhancing material and manufacturing skills through decentralized governance involves engaging in decentralized networks and platforms that facilitate knowledge sharing. Participating in open forums, decentralized educational initiatives, and collaborative projects allows for diverse perspectives and skill-building opportunities. By tapping into decentralized communities, individuals can access a wealth of expertise, fostering continuous learning and skill development. This dynamic and inclusive approach to knowledge acquisition enables practitioners to stay abreast of industry advancements, adopt innovative practices, and contribute to the collective growth of material and manufacturing skills in a decentralized governance framework.

Enhancing skills involves a combination of formal education, hands-on experience, and networking. Pursue relevant courses, engage in practical projects, and connect with mentors in the field. Joining professional organizations and attending workshops contributes to continuous skill development.

For a product designer additional knowledge about any other technical aspects of the product is definitely a boost. In real case we cannot seperate materials or manufacturing process out of product design methodology, those are also subset of product design.One of the main aspect of product design to be sucess is technical feasibility, which is also even rooted in materials and manufacturing methods as well. It's always good to develop some these knowledge as below to boost your product design career - Creating your own material library atleast at a studio level - Follow material trends across globe - Understand conventional and new manufacturing methods Caution! Don't loose your openness to thoughts ands concepts as a designer

Utiliser des matériaux différents nécessitent d'autres process de fabrication et surtout d'autres manières de conception.

Define ,the ideal material to be applied to the product ,with the manufacturing process and design for assembly is the ideal concept.

Decentralized fundraising and governance in manufacturing sectors offer a paradigm shift towards transparency, efficiency, and community involvement. By leveraging decentralized finance (DeFi) models, manufacturing projects can access a broader range of investors globally. This approach fosters a more inclusive financial ecosystem, enhancing capital accessibility. Moreover, decentralized governance ensures stakeholders have a direct say in decision-making, promoting fairness. Unlike centralized counterparts, this decentralized approach minimizes bureaucratic hurdles, accelerates project timelines, and encourages innovation, making it an ideal choice for fostering financial inclusivity and participatory governance in manufacturing.

In my work I am exposed to multiple exotic pipe materials. Knowing how they are connected together will often drive the designer. Using vendor experts is a great way to learn of the restraints you need to work within.