Our Process
Discovery
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To begin each new project, we schedule a comprehensive kick-off meeting or conference call. During this meeting, we attempt to get as many differing perspectives on the manufacturing process as possible by including all employees who are familiar with the system or process within the scope of the project. From these perspectives, we work to gain a greater understanding of the project needs by combining all of the shared knowledge.
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In this meeting, it is critical to begin outlining all of the needs and expectations for the project. Some common talking points include:
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What product(s) are you manufacturing?
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How are you manufacturing them now?
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What are the critical manufacturing points in your current process?
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Do you have an idea of how you would like to improve the process?
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Do you have data for review?
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Generally a site visit and/or machine design specification also accompanies this meeting.
Proposal
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Generally, within a week of the initial kickoff meeting (depending on size and/or scope), we will deliver an initial proposal of work. In this initial proposal, we attempt to clearly define the scope, costs, and timeline for the project including answering questions such as:
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What is covered in the scope of work?
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What is the timeline for completion?
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What are all the involved costs?
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Who will be involved in the process of completion?
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How often will Innov8tive Design Works facilitate design reviews?
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Will the project end with an assembled/tested/installed machine or a machine design?
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After several rounds of review and revision a final contract should be in place and the onboarding process can begin.
Onboarding
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Onboarding is fairly simple, but an essential part of the process to ensure transparency and accountability.
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Once a final contract is in place, access to team folders for shared assets or software are provided. Projects with tasks, deadlines and assigned team members are set up in Microsoft Project.
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In order to facilitate timely design reviews downloading an eViewer of Solidworks is strongly suggested. It is a free software offered by Solidworks and is extremely beneficial to both parties during design reviews.
Initial Concept Design
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As the timeline progresses, a preliminary 3D model or “concept model” is provided. This concept model is presented in an initial design review by either an in person meeting or screenshare by IDW.
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Each aspect of the concept model is reviewed with a comprehensive discussion and multiple rounds of revisions may be required. After the final round of revisions, a finalized concept design will be sent for signed approval by the customer.
Assembly/Part/Detail Design Packages
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After the concept model is finalized and approved, work begins to complete the “detailed” design. This detail design will include a detailed top level assembly model, including all detailed sub-assemblies, and detailed piece parts (fabricated, commercial parts will be accompanied by any data sheets that are provided by the manufacturer).
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Another design review is initiated to walk through the details of each aspect and after the detailed design is finalized, fabrication detail drawing work begins.
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Fabrication drawings can be placed on IDW templates and formats. Customer provided templates (Solidworks integration friendly), or a combination of IDW templates with a customer supplied logo. Additionally, IDW can support ANSI or ISO drawing formats.
Fabrication
(Turn-Key Project)
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Once the fabrication drawing package(s) is completed, IDW will coordinate the fabrication of parts/weldments/etc by requesting quotes from our network of vendors or a customer provided list of vendors . This provides the opportunity to select a machine/fabrication shop based on variables most important to the project’s completion (turn around time, costs, quality).
Assembly, Debug & Acceptance (Turn-Key Project)
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After fabrication is complete, IDW can oversee and coordinate the assembly/debug/acceptance of the machine if desired by the customer and outlined in the original SOW (scope of work). Once assembled and debugged, an FAT (Field Acceptance Test) is performed to ensure that the machine meets all requirements outlined in the SOW (scope of work).
Install
(Turn-Key Project)
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After a completed and successful FAT, each machine is disassembled and shipped to its final destination. IDW can again oversee the disassembly/reassembly/installation at the customer facility and it’s integration into the customers facility. After reassembly a SAT (Site Acceptance Test) is performed to ensure that the machine and process will work in accordance with the SOW (scope of work).
Ongoing
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After completion of the project, a continued relationship with IDW can be arranged for any necessary design optimizations that the customer feels is necessary.
All detailed assembly/part/fabrication models and drawings become the property of the client. The customer owns the machine and the complete design/fabrication portfolio (digital and hard copy). This complete and full disclosure of intellectual data allows for complete autonomy by the customer if desired.