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Reduce your manufacturing costs

Manufacture it abroad:

CHINA
TAIWAN
INDIA

In recent years we have had numerous requests for assistance to have products manufactured at lower costs. This has led us to establish contacts with manufacturers in the Far East, for economy of production. This is part of our commitment to take a product idea all the way from concept to manufacture. We are able to organise injection moulding tools, production mouldings, sheet metal parts, die castings, leather goods, fabricated parts, assembly and other production methods.
As well as this, we are able to organise prototypes that require precision and use of materials that can only be obtained by CNC machining. These would be costly to manufacture in the UK. We are able to obtain shorter times to manufacture. Also, we are able to Source Rapid Prototyping of products that require quality surface finish to simulate injection moulded products in SLA manufacture.
Clients comments This is feed-back we have received from our Clients on some of our projects

Cell phone car detector – April 2011

"Sourcedesign has been a beacon of assistance for me. My background is not in product design but sourcedesign has taken me step by step with patience and understanding of the process. I have been guided to questions and situations that I did not know to ask. My experience with sourcedesign has been wonderful, professional and time critical. To sum this up, I would without hesitation use sourcedesign again, as I do plan to. If your looking for a timely, no drama contractor than you need look no further :-) " - John McDonald

Powered Auto-tightening Shoe Project - April 2011

"A pleasure to work with, knowledgeable and patient." —Blakebevin

Infra-red Pen nib - August 2010

“Of great assistance to us during our first project requiring CAD use. Very quick and professional.” —ScholarDave - Infrared Pens LLP

iPad case - June 2010

“A very professional provider who managed to turn my vision into a 3D model, as well as provide expertise and advice to the injection moulding process. Exceeded my expectations. Provided concise milestones and hit them each time while managing to stay within budget. I would highly recommend and I will be using SourcePro again.” - Gerardaus

Stereo Earpiece design - May 2010

“First time working with this company but they did great work. I will use them again. Stuck to a very fast schedule and delivered what I needed.” - M. Dyer - MWM Acoustics

Protective case for a deck of playing cards - April 2010

“Extremely satisfied, sourcedesign went above and beyond my expectations and spoiled me for choice with their artistic designs, and is even now helping me discuss details with manufacturers from China! Highly recommended, great job!” - XCMeijin

Collapsible Coffee Cup - April 2010

“An absolute pleasure to work with. Not only was my project done on time, but I was even shown ways to improve on my design that I had never considered. Definitely worth every penny. HIGHLY recommended.” - Flauki

 

Modern House Source is currently engaged in the design of a house for the 21st Century. The concept for this house is to bring together production techniques, associated with manufactured products, with construction techniques. The result will be a house that complies with the increasingly rigorous Building Regulations, TRADA and NHBC standards with the aesthetic design of a modern dwelling.
  Home Automation Source Product Design has initiated a project relating to home automation. Bringing together our experience in durable and flexible computer equipment, with the dwelling design expertise of our partner company House Technology, we will be able to produce an innovative system..

SMART AWARD

 

 

 

SOURCE Product Design was awarded the prestigious Smart award for innovation. This award originated from the previous British Department of Trade and Industry. The selection for the award was highly rigorous and selective and it was rare among design consultancies. The aim of the award was to provide support and encouragement for the technological innovation and flair that can only emanate from the forward thinking and initiative of small and medium sized companies.
The award was for a highly innovative mobile computer which came as a result of years of experience, accumulated by our company, through the design and development of rugged and mobile computers. Added to this, SOURCE spent a considerable amount of time and resources on researching the technologies and human interaction with mobile computers, which result in the next generation of mobile computing.
The computer product was developed in its entirety within SOURCEPRO.

   

PRESS ARTICLES

 

Cab flair

In under a decade, European Data Systems has gone from working out of a garage to become a company with an annual turnover of £12 million. Source Product Design is still designing products for the company, such as the PXI - a handheld GPS computer for industrial and military use. The PXI has a folding qwerty keyboard with twelve external programmable keys which are disabled once the keyboard is open. Measuring 265 x 164 x 87 mm, the PXI weighs less than a small laptop.

Source has also been working on a GPS communications terminal for taxicabs. The Dial-a-Cab terminal allows drivers to get jobs via satellite, take credit card payments and give printed receipts as well as plan routes. Working prototypes are currently in use in London.

   

Source material

Most design for the high technology, engineered products of the defence industries is carried out by the large authorities. However, Source Product Design, a design consultancy that employs just four designers, is one company that has been involved with the development of military products for the last 15 years. One of its most recent projects was the PXI handheld GPS computer.


The PXI allows communication in some of the most extreme conditions, via satellite. Measuring 265 x 164 x 87 mm, it weighs less than a small laptop. A folding keyboard allows the operator to extend it to form a qwerty layout, while remaining compact in transport and storage. Its design allows the operator to have 12 external programmable keys on the outside when the keyboard is closed. These keys are then automatically disabled when the keyboard is open to prevent their accidental operation. The device is sealed against water, dust and RFI, and its rugged casing complies with drop tests onto concrete. It is also designed to be resistant to chemical attack including petrol, lubricating oil and cleaning agents.

 

Source Product Design began life in a garage more than 15 years ago, with a staff of two partners and one secretary. Since then, the design company has built up an enviable list of clients. The company started out designing products on the drawing board and soon moved into computer-based CAD and 3D modelling. Specialising in electronic, communication and military/defence products, Source relies on SDRC's I-DEAS software as its main design tool.
Using I-DEAS for the PXI handheld computer and GPS terminals allowed Source to create STL files for rapid prototyping, DXF files for sheet metal and machined parts and IGES files for injection moulding tools from the initial design. Subcontractors import data (often sent over the Internet) into their own CAD/CAM systems for CNC programming or EDM production for injection moulding tools. Source believe in the value of communication as a part of the design process and often communicate the initial concept for a design to the client using 3D Studio Max to produce animated .avi files. Source also make VRML files for their products allowing the client to view the conceptual model online, without the need for CAD software or software knowledge. They've found that a 3D model, animation or VRML file allows the client to easily understand the concept of a new product even in the initial stages of the design process.

Dial-a-Cab taxi terminal
A more general design brief than Source's usual military focus, the Dial-a-Cab terminal will allow cab drivers to receive jobs via satellite, take credit card payments and print receipts, all from a central unit. The Dial-a-Cab will also alert the driver to available jobs, allow route planning via satellite and allow drivers to communicate with their base using the full colour 8.4 inch LCD touch screen. The simple mounting and adjustment allows for easy replacement of components without dismounting.

PXI handheld computer
The PXI was conceived as a hand held GPS computer designed for military and heavy industrial use. It weighs less than a small laptop, measures around 26x16x9cm and features an extendable folding 'qwerty' keyboard. 12 programmable keys on the outside allow operation of basic functions with the unit closed and are disabled when the unit is open. The PXI is designed for communication, via satellite, in the most extreme conditions. Its lithium battery allows extended use and the unit has been designed to withstand chemical attack as well as being water and dust resistant.

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