MECHANICAL Design Services
PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT
If you have an idea for a new product or want to take a fresh look at an existing product, you have come to the right place. I pride myself on finding simple, elegant solutions to tough design problems. Whether your product is a complex assembly or an individual item, I can help you develop a better design that minimizes design, manufacturing, and other downstream costs.
I’m happy to work alone on your confidential project or work side by side with your existing design team. Together we can brainstorm new concepts and ideas or simply work to refine and optimize existing designs. My network of engineering, design and manufacturing professionals can also be brought in to assist with larger projects. If you are already a manufacturer, I am happy to hand off full design packages or provide 2D drawings or 3D models to your design team to complete the detailing.
Additional Engineering services include traditional hand calculations, FEA, MathCAD and Excel mathematical modeling. I have developed powerful fluid dynamic and horsepower models as well a traditional engineering calculations related to lifting lugs, weld sizing, bearing life, shaft design, beam analysis etc.
MECHANICAL DESIGN & DRAFTING
Zonneveld Design offers a wide range of design and drafting services ranging from basic 2D AutoCAD drafting to 3D CAD such as SolidWorks or Fusion 360. Specializing in heavy fabrication design, I can supply shop drawings, assemblies c/w BOM, sheet metal developments and dxf files for laser, HDP or waterjet cutting. I am equally at home working from scratch on new designs or developing shop drawings from consultant supplied drawings.
Your project will benefit from my strong engineering and machine design background as well as many years working as an engineering manager. I do not blindly follow instructions but contribute to improving designs so they are easy to manufacture and build at a low cost. I know first hand the importance of providing only the highest quality work that is thoroughly checked before release. You will find me very easy to work with a great partner for your next project.
PATENTS
Have an idea for a new invention? I certainly have! If you have an invention idea you’d like to pursue or just need help with patent drawings, 3D models, renderings, or a prototype, I can help.
If you are just starting down the invention road you will first need to do a thorough patent search. Before we even talk, I recommend you try a regular google search and a google image search to see if your idea is truly unique and can be protected with a patent. I can help you with a more thorough US and European classification search.
If a search doesn’t turn up anything similar, the process I recommend is to file a provisional patent application (PPA). The PPA will consist of a detailed specification, drawings and optionally claims. The PPA is never examined by the patent office. It’s purpose is to give you a filing date and the right to label your product as “Patent Pending”. You have one year from filing your PPA before you must file a regular patent application (RPA) or lose your filing date. This gives you one year to shop your idea around to prospective companies to see if there is interest. There is more to the process but the important thing to know, is to not disclose your invention in public before you file a PPA.
I am happy to sign a non-disclosure agreement (NDA) with you prior to starting the process. Please note that I am not a patent lawyer or agent but have a lot of experience in this area. I can help you create and file a PPA without spending a fortune. This provides you with protection for your idea so you can test the market with confidence.
3D PRINTING
A 3D prototype is also highly desirable when presenting a new invention to prospective licencees. It proves that the invention is viable and functional. Most companies will expect and want to see a functional prototype.
I can print your design or work with you to develop a 3D model from sketches you provide. A wide variety of materials can be printed with the Prusa i3 MK3s. Two or more materials can be combined in a single print, for instance a flexible material can be printed directly onto a rigid material. 3D Printing opens up new ways of looking at product design, the possibilities are nearly endless. Check out my Thingiverse page below to see some fun examples of 3D designs I created and printed on the Prusa i3 MK3s.