Services

Cohesive utilizes a streamlined process that sets it apart from any other design firm. Most product development companies start with a basic sketch, then make several time-consuming conceptual drawings focusing on form. Then, after hours of tedious sketching, they finally begin a CAD model (3D Rendering) that can actually become a real product, only to realize a major functional parameter won't work with the design and the end result either looks awkward or bland. At Cohesive, products go straight from a basic sketch to a CAD model that puts the functional requirements first and then creates a form that complements the core functionality of the design. This approach not only leads to substantially shorter development times, but usually leads to a form that naturally and elegantly follows the function instead of shoehorning functional elements to fit a design idea. When flexibility is present, models can be made to suit an existing product line.

Note: While Cohesive is open to almost any design challenge, the focus is on relatively small consumer items. 

Since the design phase of Cohesive ends in a "looks like" CAD model, DFM simply means modifying the existing models to suit the process intended. In many cases, this can be acheived in a very short time. Cohesive can also pick up where your design team left off and model the product based on sketches or manufacturing prints and modify it for manufacture.

Materials and Processes:

• Injection Molded Plastic
• Machined Plastic
• 3D Printed Plastic
• Machined Metal
• Cast Metal
• Water Jet Metal
• Flame Cut Metal
• And More

Note: Cohesive does not handle state-regulated forms of engineering such as Civil/Structural, HVAC, Fire Suppresion, and other disciplines requiring Professional Engineer Certification (PE Stamp). It is the client's responsibility to determine any and all regulations and required licenses for a product prior to beginning a project. If a product fails to meet regulations due to a client's omission of criteria, the client will be responsible for any and all additional fees or development costs to modify the product to make it suitable.

Cohesive creates prints that cater to the latest of manufacturing technologies. Since many modern manufacturing programs interface directly with 3D CAD, these prints identify the most important criteria and instruct the machinist of what elements are most important and which can be altered to better suit a process. This method leads to fewer back-and-forth interactions and therefore speeds the process of preparing parts for manufacture.

The economics of a project can vary greatly on the number of custom parts, especially for products made in quantities of 1,000 or less. By using a network of many vendors to source off-the-shelf parts, the time-to-market can be greatly reduced as well as the cost-per-unit of the end product.

A well-designed product could be ruined by poor manufacturing, so Cohesive keeps a list of recommended manufacturers that offer prompt, high-quality services to ensure a good design stays a good design.

A box of parts without a manual isn't worth much, so Cohesive offers manual writing services for both assembly technicians and end users. Features like exploded parts diagrams, bill of materials lists, step by step instructions, cutaways, etc. can all be included at your discretion.

3D Printing is performed in-house on an ABS filament-based printer with a 5"x5"x5" build volume and single-material breakaway supports. Larger prints can be made by bonding segments.