SGW Designworks

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and position.

I am the Mechanical Engineer of Titan Manufacturing, Inc.

Describe what your company does in a single sentence.

Our company is a construction outfit consists of 3 major aspects which are: performing contract construction work on bridges, renting our machines to the industry, and manufacturing custom bridge machine in house.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What specific goals or objectives did you hire SGW Designworks to accomplish?

• Analyzing a linkage system in a piece of heavy equipment to identify what was causing a specific problem and make design recommendations to fix it.

SOLUTION

How did you find SGW Designworks?

Online Search

Why did you select SGW Designworks over others?

• Close to my geographic location
• Company values aligned
• Historically our company has used them in the past.

How many teammates from SGW Designworks were assigned to this project?

2-5 Employees

Describe the scope of work in detail. Please include a summary of key deliverables.

SGW provided us with clear design analysis, test procedures, and thoughtful discussions on what our best path forward for our project would be. Our discussions were to the point and not wasted. They provided we with weekly updates to project status, billing, and expectations for their deliverables. It was a pleasurable experience all around and I never had a doubt that the time I was paying for was worth it.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

What were the measurable outcomes from the project that demonstrate progress or success?

Analyze the existing design, and identify design changes to address a specific problem.

Describe their project management. Did they deliver items on time? How did they respond to your needs?

To be short, excellent. They provided me with weekly updates, hours completed that week, and when we were going to be billed next. It gave me ease of mind that they were on top of this portion of the project.

What was your primary form of communication with SGW Designworks?

• Virtual Meeting
• Email or Messaging App

What did you find most impressive or unique about this company?

Their commitment to finding the best solution and willingness to discuss all possible outcomes were impressive.

Are there any areas for improvement or something SGW Designworks could have done differently?

The rates are a little expensive, however I understand that it very competitve and normal for a design firm like this that provides this level of service. 
The inital project communication with the business development manager had a little rocky start, as intentions were not clear for what we wanted vs. what was initally offered. We did not want to do a project discovery sprint due to the size of project I knew I needed help with. This was solved and did not hinder the project as a total, but that miscommunication upfront made me second guess if I should use this design firm for this project.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and position.

I am the former CTO of Inovus Solar

Describe what your company does in a single sentence.

Develops commercial grade solar lighting.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What specific goals or objectives did you hire SGW Designworks to accomplish?

• This project focused on developing a IP-rated enclosure for electronics in a solar lighting product.

SOLUTION

How did you find SGW Designworks?

Referral

Why did you select SGW Designworks over others?

• High ratings
• Close to my geographic location
• Great culture fit

How many teammates from SGW Designworks were assigned to this project?

2-5 Employees

Describe the scope of work in detail. Please include a summary of key deliverables.

Phase 1: Identify/develop a low-volume enclosure solution. Initial volumes are projected to be relatively low. A custom molded enclosure will likely not make sense financially until volumes are higher. The Phase 1 solution may be an adapted off-the-shelf unit, a machined custom unit, a custom sheet-metal unit, or other. The intent is to identify a workable solution with little or no tooling cost.

1. Interface with EE to define needs/constraints of enclosure.
2. Research off-the-shelf units available that may work.
3. Develop prelim designs of custom solution.
4. Meet with Inovus Solar to discuss findings and choose direction.
5. Develop final design.

Phase 2: Projected volumes increase over time. As the volume increases, a lower per-unit cost can justify investment in production tooling. Phase 2 will focus on development of a higher volume enclosure (likely injection molded) that will drive a lower per unit cost, but will require an initial investment in tooling.

1. Develop initial concept(s) for fully optimized, custom enclosure.
2. Review concept(s) with EE, modify as needed.
3. Review concept(s) with Inovus Solar, modify as needed.
4. Source 3D printed prototype of unit.
5. Apply draft, ribbing, etc., as required based on geometry.
6. Optimize design for manufacturing, tooling.
7. Final design review with Inovus Solar.
8. Design review with manufacturer, modify as needed to accommodate manufacturer's systems.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

What were the measurable outcomes from the project that demonstrate progress or success?

Complete design of the enclosure itself in a manner that meets functional requirements and integrates existing PCBA design, validate the design with printed prototypes, optimize for production, push to manufacturing.

Describe their project management. Did they deliver items on time? How did they respond to your needs?

Project management was responsive, generally delivered on time and withing scope, and when that didn't happen it was all hands on deck to correct anything keeping us from meeting our timeline. All projects have issues. SGW made certain issues were identified and resolved openly and efficiently.

What was your primary form of communication with SGW Designworks?

• In-Person Meeting
• Email or Messaging App

What did you find most impressive or unique about this company?

SGW's diversity and quality of talent was unique nad most impressive, whether it was firmware development, software development, mechanical design, or designed for manufacturing.

Are there any areas for improvement or something SGW Designworks could have done differently?

For this project, we needed PCB design and layout expertise, which SGW did not have at the time, so we had to seek another provider. This made project management more complicated. Ideally, SGW would have been a one-stop shop for our project.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and position.

I am the Robotics Design Lead of Bastian Solutions

Describe what your company does in a single sentence.

We provide consultation and products that automate material handling processes. 

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What specific goals or objectives did you hire SGW Designworks to accomplish?

• Complex mechanism design engineering and design review.

SOLUTION

How did you find SGW Designworks?

previous collaboration

Why did you select SGW Designworks over others?

• Great culture fit
• Good value for cost
• Company values aligned

How many teammates from SGW Designworks were assigned to this project?

2-5 Employees

Describe the scope of work in detail. Please include a summary of key deliverables.

We hired SGW to support a large, complicated subsystem design for an acutauting mechanism that was integral to a large project. They were involved with the concpetual ideation and design reviews, providing great insight from their experience on more proven methods to accomplish the performance outcomes. Initially, there was an exploration phase to determine the best method in acheiving the specifications and parameters. SGW communicated effectively and consulted during the investigation phase to lead to a preferable solution, working with our engineering teams to ensure the deign would satisfy the project needs. Their work included creating a specification document, provide initial concept sketches and diagrams for review, iterate to provide low-fidelity CAD which was then used as a baseline for detailed design. That design was then integrated into a larger system design in which our team leaned on SGW to make any adjustments required once the details were ironed out. Our organization has a unique project planning and resource allocaiton method, which SGW adapted to quickly and provided the flexible support required. Often, their team would be onsite in our office to help communicate the project status and work through any constraints. 

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

What were the measurable outcomes from the project that demonstrate progress or success?

The primary output was mechanical designs and component specs for Bastian Solutions to carry forward onto the broader project. This was an iterative design, relying on variables from other subsystems to achieve a final output. SGW provided support and prompt responses for any needs to finish a detailed design of the subsystem. 

Describe their project management. Did they deliver items on time? How did they respond to your needs?

Project management was very communicative and available. Often they would be onsite sitting in our meetings, and following up with status emails to track progress. They were immediately available for any requests. 

What was your primary form of communication with SGW Designworks?

In-Person Meeting

What did you find most impressive or unique about this company?

The most impressive aspect of SGW Designworks was their ability to adapt to any organization's structure and methodologies, being able to onboard quickly and provide the depth of engineering experience required for complex technology designs. 

Are there any areas for improvement or something SGW Designworks could have done differently?

I am completely satisfied with this project and their performance. 

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and position.

I am the Founder of RestAngles

Describe what your company does in a single sentence.

At RestAngles, we help people whose feet don't comfortable reach the floor while sitting, achieve comfort and better posture, helping them to combat lower back, hip, and lower extremity pain from the feeling of "dangling legs" by providing a cleverly designed extremely portable footrest that they can take with them anywhere they wish to sit. 

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What specific goals or objectives did you hire SGW Designworks to accomplish?

• Design and engineer the Restangles product from start to finish: Design, Engineer, Prototpye, Iterate, Optimize for production, Engage manufacturer, start up.
• Find an injection mold manufacturer to make my tool and my products.

SOLUTION

How did you find SGW Designworks?

Referral

Why did you select SGW Designworks over others?

Referred to me

How many teammates from SGW Designworks were assigned to this project?

2-5 Employees

Describe the scope of work in detail. Please include a summary of key deliverables.

When I contacted SGW Designworks, I had been using CNC Routing as my manufacturing method. I wanted to move to injection mold manufacturer so I contracted with them to get me from Point A to Point B. They redesigned my product and worked on my problem areas until we had a satisfactory model to go to the manufacturer with. 

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

What were the measurable outcomes from the project that demonstrate progress or success?

Complete product design and manufacturing start up.

Describe their project management. Did they deliver items on time? How did they respond to your needs?

I worked with two engineers, mainly. We did have a written timeline for deliverables and costs and were able to stick to most of the timeline. I was able to talk with our main engineer quite easily when needed. She was great to work with. 

What was your primary form of communication with SGW Designworks?

Virtual Meeting

What did you find most impressive or unique about this company?

SGW Designworks is small enough to work very well one-on-one with their customers but large enough to have the capacity to work on many different projects simultaneously. 

Are there any areas for improvement or something SGW Designworks could have done differently?

I initially had a strict budget I needed to adhere to but as my project progressed, I realized I need to add more money to that budget to accomplish our goals. 

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and position.

I am the Owner of Inclusion Table

Describe what your company does in a single sentence.

Marion Innovations LLC is a company that designs and producses its own products to help people improve their quality of life. 

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What specific goals or objectives did you hire SGW Designworks to accomplish?

To develop a table that adjusts up and down in multiple sections for use by people with different physical heights, specifically in institutional and health care settings.

SOLUTION

How did you find SGW Designworks?

Online Search

Why did you select SGW Designworks over others?

• High ratings
• Close to my geographic location
• Company values aligned

How many teammates from SGW Designworks were assigned to this project?

2-5 Employees

Describe the scope of work in detail. Please include a summary of key deliverables.

SGW Designworks built 3 prototype tables based on my designs and ideas, and the first prototype was delivered in April 2019, the second prototype was completed in 2020, and the 3rd prototype was completed in 2021 after a rebuild due to an unfortunate semi-truck accident in Texas destroyed our 2nd prototype in October 2020. On each iteration of the table, SGW improved the design without losing the integrity of the tables function and original design. They provided excellent engineering,  consults with manufacturers, and CAD files for the table.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

What were the measurable outcomes from the project that demonstrate progress or success?

Initial concept development, product design, mechanical enigneering, prototyping, design iteration, design for manfuacturer, manufacturing start up. The ultimate goal was to start producing, and to launch the product.

Describe their project management. Did they deliver items on time? How did they respond to your needs?

SGW Designworks delivered all of the prototypes on time and was very responsive to our needs - even with a change in engineers in the middle of a prototype build. 

What was your primary form of communication with SGW Designworks?

• In-Person Meeting
• Virtual Meeting
• Email or Messaging App

What did you find most impressive or unique about this company?

I think that SGW Designworks was an excellent choice for our company because they were open to designing a product that had never been built before and they took that challenge on very well. I don't think my table would be where it is now without their excellent engineering team. 

Are there any areas for improvement or something SGW Designworks could have done differently?

There was one mistake made by SGW after the second prototype was built - to load the table fully assembled in the trailer for the trip from Boise, Idaho back to Idaho Falls, Idaho. The table sections collapsed during this trip and it delayed the delivery to a potential partner to manufacture the table. So, they can improve making sure that they consider as an enginerring team the possible outside factors that may affect the product in a negative way. In the end, it turned out okay because we built an even stronger table the next iteration. It was a frustrating situation at the time, but we made it a learning experience on both sides.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and position.

I am the President of REMIS

Describe what your company does in a single sentence.

Manufacture medium temperature refrigeration doors for grocery and convenience store applications.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What specific goals or objectives did you hire SGW Designworks to accomplish?

Development of multiple systems for remote locking of doors in specific applications

SOLUTION

How did you find SGW Designworks?

Worked with SGW previously

Why did you select SGW Designworks over others?

• High ratings
• Great culture fit
• Good value for cost
• Company values aligned
• Confidence in their capabiities and personnel

How many teammates from SGW Designworks were assigned to this project?

2-5 Employees

Describe the scope of work in detail. Please include a summary of key deliverables.

Collaborated on conceptual design, designed prototype, specified bill of material with vendors, assembly drawings and design files where applicable, and testing of products for three doors with wired and wireless application to engage lock. 

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

What were the measurable outcomes from the project that demonstrate progress or success?

Concepting, feasibility validation, prototyping of multiple approaches for locking systems in doors for specific applications

Describe their project management. Did they deliver items on time? How did they respond to your needs?

Great Team of people to work with, crisp communication, meeting deadlines, proactively communicating change in status, and very responsive. 

What was your primary form of communication with SGW Designworks?

Virtual Meeting

What did you find most impressive or unique about this company?

Breadth of service, knowledge, experience, work ethic, professionalism, and ensuring each party maintained timliness of deliverables.

Are there any areas for improvement or something SGW Designworks could have done differently?

We are highly satisfied with our experience and cannot think of anything specifically for improvements.