(Research Triangle Park, N.C.) Innovation and commercialization firm Montie Design has recently completed several projects showcasing the firm’s diverse portfolio of product design and technical consulting. Summer 2012 efforts included a complex tolerance analysis study performed for a leading supplier of interconnect products, several different LED lights, and large environmental test chambers. “As generalists, our team operates in multiple industries and looks to vacuums in trends we see, bringing a unique third-party perspective and experience of other industries into consideration of our clients’ product concepts and finished products,” said Montie Roland, company president.

According to Roland, his firm’s rapid response to development deadlines and the timely nature of client requirements is built into its approach to each project. For example, the tolerance analysis study for a component in a rack mount chassis was produced on a parallel course as the design of a reference enclosure for their client. As the design team members created concept sketches and models, then 3D CAD models and drawings using SolidWorks design software, they were crafting the detailed tolerance analysis in white paper format to answer the essential questions of “how do I use the component in a real world design?” and “what are the consequences of using that component in a design?”

As far as his firm’s work with LED lights, they are extremely efficient, but most people don’t realize the amount of concentrated heat they generate. Keeping the electronic circuits healthy requires careful thermal controls, Roland explained. The category of software used to analyze the effects of the heat is called computational fluid dynamics (CFD). Because of the thermal requirements and the production cost sensitivity, LED lights have to be well-designed in order to competitive with existing non-LED lights and function over a very long life. These LED lights are made in low-to-medium quantities but have to compete with products that are made in very high quantities. Challenges like this require a focused design effort with an experienced team that works closely with the client to leverage their internal experience.

As for the large environmental test chambers, they are custom products designed and built one-at-a-time, Roland pointed out.

“The prevailing wisdom for these chambers has been to design them in 2D with older CAD systems such as AutoCad,” he said, adding, “We take a different approach were we leverage the power of 3D CAD to create complete models of the chambers down to the individual part, nut and bolt. This makes it much easier for our clients to review the design, source the parts and build the enclosures.”

The models also can provide detailed information for end-users in case repairs are ever needed, said Roland, a value-add his clients were not able to provide their customers in the past.

Boasting competencies in mechanical engineering and industrial design, Montie Design utilizes a cross-functional team involving software, electronic/circuit design, firmware, mechanical, industrial design (ID), and PCB layout contributors in its various projects. The firm’s access to trained professionals in various applicable industries with the skills and experience to apply to each individual project from concept to prototype to market enables them to provide clients with quick turnaround in all phases of product design, prototyping and production, without sacrificing form, function, manufacturability, elegance or style.

Utilizing creative approaches to product design and production – such as purposeful wondering, making a product’s current features more valuable by considering a wide variety of options – Montie Design identifies and applies cutting-edge solutions to keep manufacturing costs low while satisfying end-user requirements.

For more information on Montie Design, visit www.montie.com.

About Montie Design
Montie Design is an innovation and commercialization firm with core competencies in mechanical engineering and industrial design. Active in the product design, defense, and technology sectors, we leverage years of industry leadership and extensive technical capabilities to help clients take products from concept to marketplace that are economical to manufacture, elegant and robust. Montie Design is a North Carolina company headquartered in the Research Triangle region with clients across the country and overseas. We are dedicated to economic development throughout our home state and furthering excellence in design and engineering. For more information, visit www.montie.com.