Competences
Idea finding
After clarification and specification of the task we start the process of idea finding. We thereby use different creative techniques, depending on the task given. For instance, we apply the morphological box or brainstorming. Notably when experience does not suggest solutions right away, these methods can lead to innovative models operating “out of the box”.
Experience: Drawing parallels or analogies to industry related projects can quickly yield a first approach to solving a problem. Even looking at clever everyday scenarios, that may be even located outside the sector, can contribute worthwhile aspects to our solutions. Yet we always ensure that our ideas can be retroceded to the original problem in order to fully correspond to its features. This is how we most of the times tackle a problem: experience combined with intuition and analogy.
Brainstorming: This method, a classic amongst creative techniques, demands for a group of people who jointly challenge a question. We also like to brainstorm by exchanging with experts of the industry and freelance partners. The multitude of ideas and contributions then leads to innovative solutions: We combine inside and outside expertise.
Morphological box: Wheter you want to improve single elements (problem parameters), components or even complete divisions of a production line: the morphological box can serve all purposes. We thereby generate a spectre of design variations. We then discuss them in a group to extract the best possible solutions. Still we never lose sight of the overall function that has to either run on or that needs to be redesigned by us.
Conceptional work
In the concept phase we develop our favourite approaches of the idea phase further on: to structured and presentable concepts. Here, models and data are being combined in a way that enbales decision making with the client. Together we then identify for every alternative the level of accomplishment for both the technological and for the economical project constraints.
Once the concept is clear and conclusive, we can generally predict chances and risks of the realisation, of attaining the objective in general.
Our aim during the concept phase is thus to single out with the client the most promising concept and to decide upon it. Evidently, we support the demonstration and evaluation of concepts: with descriptive, neatly structured presentations that are rich of drawings and illustrations. We can tell from experience that clients like to use our illustrations. They facilitate internal communication and enhance external presentations for their respective clients.
Transparency and analytical reasoning are two further prerequisites for the decision making in the concept phase. Next we will then professionally detail the technical specifications for the favourite concept.
Calculation and simulation
There are a lot of technical calculations requested during the development process. In the concept phase this rather implies quick and rough assessments of the physical limitations. In the development phase it affects the dimensioning of complex parts and systems. Corporate Engineering runs the according calculations partly “by hand”, partly based on software: for statics, kinematics, dynamics, for strength calculation or for design of standard parts. The totality of calculations is electronically documented in a way that clients can register them completely and chronologically with their in-house documentation.
Complete documentation of calculations may later on become extremely important, for instance, when questions arrive during the development process. But also for follow-up development, technical improvements or adaptations: A complete documentation will speed up answers to questions of feasibility.
Construction
In the construction phase we further detail and enhance the favourite concept to become an optimal solution. Most certainly we thereby consider given components and standard parts on our client’s side. For the design of components and assemblies we respect existing production conditions or preferred suppliers of our clients. We externally enquire purchased parts regarding technical and cost specifications. We do suitability evaluations in advance to then ultimately decide with the client upon purchase or alternatives.
Our result-oriented cooperation in this phase requests a high degree of coordination and communication from both sides. Thus we prefer an intense collaboration with the following departments: Development and Construction, Quality Management, Purchase Department, Production, Assembly and Commissioning.
For agreed mile stones during the process, Corporate Engineering holds design reviews with illustrating presentations. This way client and engineering office can clarify questions and secure mutual understanding of construction details and adaptations. A joint objective is to obtain the release for the next step in the construction process.
If requested, we add the data of CAD-Modell, drawings, part master data and part lists into our clients’ PDM systems. Moreover, we are prepared to work on a daily base or even for certain periods on-site, together with the teams of our clients.
