Mechanical Engineering
Mechanical engineering at Simplexity focuses on sound design and analysis to ensure that the products we design can be easily manufactured. Our mechanical engineers hold a diverse set of skills to execute complex problem-solving in a simple manner. We use 3D CAD, finite element analysis, fluid dynamics, thermal analysis, structural analysis, tolerance analysis, and material science to perform modeling and calculations as well as create physical prototypes.
A MORE ANALYTICAL APPROACH
Our mechanical engineers dive deeper into difficult custom mechanical engineering challenges than is typical of design firms. One example of this dedication is over a decade of development invested in our proprietary custom gear design tool that allows us to access a full suite of gear profile optimizations and performance analyses that are not available anywhere else.
Other examples of our design and analysis experience includes:
- Custom design of mechanisms using linkages, springs, pneumatics, hydraulics and other mechanical and electro-mechanical actuators
- Selection and design of drives like gear trains, belt drives, pulleys, torque couplings, linear motion slides, ball screw, and lead screw drives
- Component design including bearings, linkages, and structural assemblies
- Custom gear train design, including injection molded gears with optimized tooth geometry and gear ratios to drive the system at appropriate torque, minimize the current draw at the motor and prevent the system from overheating during continuous operation
- Fluidic, pneumatic, mechanical, optics, solar, sound, and thermal design
- Structural, vibration, and modal finite element analysis (FEA)
- Thermal and fluid FEA, including steady state and transient analysis, conduction, natural/forced convection
- Thermal models to predict temperature for heating and cooling
- Statistical analysis to determine if performance outputs are within Six Sigma
- Injection molded part design, including over-molding, insert molding, and flexible components such as O-rings, gaskets, and seals
- Material selection, including bio-compatible materials and adhesives
Mechanical designs are communicated to vendors using ANSI and ASME standards for 2D drawings, including geometric dimensioning and tolerancing (GD&T). Our internal procurement team creates detailed bills of materials (BOMs) and sources both off-the-shelf and custom parts for prototyping and final manufacturing.
Simplexity has the capabilities to perform the full mechanical design, from sketching preliminary concepts to designing every part, performing analyses, prototyping, and releasing for manufacturing. Design for manufacturing and assembly (DFMA) is a priority at the very beginning of the project, since the biggest opportunities for simplification are in the concept stage. Our engineers work seamlessly with our vetted manufacturing partners, often with hands-on presence, to support contract manufacturing and new product introduction (NPI).
