Product development requires creativity, innovative spirit, and openness to new solutions. Depending on the product, objective, or training of the team members, a wide variety of methods are used: classic engineering methods, agile or iterative methods, or methods that use analogies or changes of perspective to generate ideas.
At Precision Forming (PFS), we do not cover this entire playing field, of course, but together with our network of partner companies and universities, we can achieve a great deal. Depending on your requirements, we can supplement or organize your product development team. Please contact us for more information.
At PFS, we contribute our innovative spirit and expertise in metal forming. We are strong in component development, formed parts (sheet metal parts), prototype construction, and 3D printing. We also contribute our know-how in the field of materials (materials laboratory) and our experience in series production.
Methods in product development:
Classic methods
V-model/waterfall model: Sequential development steps – requirements analysis, design, implementation, testing, maintenance.
Stage-gate-model: Project phases with clear milestones (“gates”) at which decisions are made about whether to continue the project.
QFD (Quality Function Deployment): Customer requirements are systematically translated into technical specifications.
FMEA (Failure Mode and Effects Analysis): Identification and evaluation of potential sources of error.
Agile and iterative methods:
Design thinking: Empathy with users, definition of problems, ideation, prototyping, and testing – iterative and user-centered.
Scrum: Agile development in sprints with regular feedback loops.
Lean Startup: Development of minimum viable products (MVPs), early user feedback, rapid learning.
Analogy work and change of perspective:
Biomimicry/bionics: Transfer of solutions from nature to technical products.
Cross-industry innovation: Inspiration from solutions in other industries.
Analogy techniques: Working with analogy questions.
Other creative methods:
Morphological box: Combining characteristics and solution approaches.
Mind mapping/brainstorming: Associative idea development.
6-3-5 method: 6 people, 3 ideas, 5 passes – idea development in a team.
Modern product development is diverse. It is not only technical in nature, but also analogical, creative, and interdisciplinary. Bionics, cross-industry innovation, and design thinking make targeted use of analogies to find new and often surprising solutions. The ideas and concepts are then implemented using 3D CAD programs such as Catia, NX, InventorSolidWorks, Creo Parametric, or others. The use of the finite element method (FEM) during development, e.g., with Ansys, enables early product optimization. FMEA is used to validate the concepts.
In the end, technical feasibility and, of course, economic aspects are decisive. And this is where sheet metal forming parts have many advantages over many other manufacturing processes:
High strengths can be achieved, sheet metal forming parts are material-efficient, easily reproducible, and inexpensive to manufacture in large quantities. Forming parts are therefore popular in the automotive and consumer goods industries.
Do you have questions about product development or would you like to start a collaboration?
Then don't hesitate to contact us—we are looking forward to hearing from you!