you end up with something truly special
is
“We are continually faced by great opportunities brilliantly disguised as insoluble problems.”
///
We are a dream factory.
We turn the impossible into reality.
Engineering
Machining
Fabrication
Testing
Analysis
Production
Consultation
Want to know how we accomplish this?
- Here are our 5 tenets of successful design -
///
1
Form + Function
“Design is not just what it looks like and feels like. Design is how it works.”
- Steve Jobs
Here at Agile, engineering is as much an art form as it is a science, and form does not follow function - it is our belief that the two are inseparable, and that no great design exists without equal measures of both. The function helps dictate the form while the form accentuates and influences the function. All factors must come together in unison to create a visceral impact for the customer.
What good is a technically competent design that has no market appeal, or a product that is pleasing to the eye but with poor engineering behind it? Neither leads to a worthwhile user experience. Rather, the answer to creating a lasting impression lies in a sound design that looks and acts the part, and a partner that truly understands this is key.
2
Time is Money
See if any of this sounds familiar...
- You don't have the resources.
- You don't have the time.
- You don't have the ability.
- You don't know where to start.
- You've always done it this way.
- R&D projects take too long.
- You can't (or don't want to) hire a new engineer.
- You can't get parts produced in a timely fashion (or at all).
- You need an honest, up-front, outside opinion.
R&D can be messy, and most businesses are not structured to accommodate the exploratory nature of new projects. To truly succeed, these projects must be given an opportunity to grow, develop, and thrive without the shackles of standard production methodology.
Wouldn't it be nice to let your idea evolve without needing to conform to a predefined set of business and accounting rules? To work with a company whose enthusiasm equals that of your own?
“Remember that time is money.”
- Benjamin Franklin
Working with Agile will save you energy, frustration, and above all, time.
3
Cheap is Good
“Everything should be as simple as it can be, but not simpler.”
- Roger Sessions
We're not talking about poor quality, shoddily designed, or even inexpensive. No, cheap to an engineer means that a design only costs as much as it needs to. The best design in the world isn't really the best if it can't be produced for a reasonable price.
To deliver on this premise requires deliberate planning and a clear picture of the end goal, while eliminating that which overly complicates the design. We work with you to discover what it is you are truly trying to achieve, and then take the proper steps to get you there, iterating and refining along the way.
“If I had nine hours to chop down a tree, I’d spend the first six sharpening my axe.”
- Abraham Lincoln
Making a truly cheap part requires more than having well defined goals, though - knowing how a part needs to be made is equally as important. Fortunately, we have more than just a rudimentary grasp of a myriad of production processes to help you figure it out...
4
Know Your Stuff
there is no substitute for experience...
Milling. Turning. CNC vs Manual. Welding. Casting. Grinding. Gear cutting. Sheet metal work. EDM. Finishing. Plating. Painting. Powder Coating. Additive manufacturing (3D printing). Composites. Extrusion. Forming.
All of these are procedures we have been directly involved with (the majority of which by hand). Unless you know the processes, figuring out an efficient path to take can be quite difficult (and subsequently expensive).
In addition, we use the latest software & computer analysis (FEA, CFD, CAD/CAM) to bring designs to life. We have set up assembly lines, handled production, worked with vendors, designed hydraulic, pneumatic, & automated systems, and recreated the irreplaceable.
“The only true wisdom is in knowing you know nothing.”
- Socrates
Just as important, though, is knowing where to turn when a new challenge arises. Our network of contacts and manufacturers are an invaluable resource to help aid during the creation of a new project.
We have failed. We have taken the chance on new ideas that simply did not work. However, no matter what the endeavor might be, we are of the firm belief that...
5
Nothing is impossible
“Scientists study the world as it is, engineers create the world that never has been.”
- Theodore von Kármán
We love overcoming obstacles and solving problems. Coming up with new solutions. Trying, and trying again. Looking at things in a different light. Combining bits and pieces from different disciplines and creating something fresh and wonderful. Taking the improbable, the impractical, and the difficult, and then figuring out the necessary steps to move forward.
Good engineering is a delicate balance between design, mechanics, and practicality; all three areas must have just the right measure for the whole to be successful.
We love piecing this puzzle together, and always have.
///
Let's do something amazing
///
Would you like to know more details about what makes us unique?
Here is how we approach the following services:
Product Optimization
Sometimes starting from scratch is not what you’re seeking:
Do you have a good product that’s a bit long in the tooth and could use some sprucing up?
Does your overly complicated custom or configured machine require simplification, streamlining, and modularity?
Perhaps you need to investigate some new methods that will increase production efficiency and reduce costs?
We have experience in accomplishing all of these matters, with a history of design and production know-how to back it up. You need:
A partner that has one eye looking at the big picture, and has the other focused on the fine details with incredible attention.
A partner that has personally machined components to .0001” and understands manufacturing methods.
A partner that strives for elegant solutions in all cases.
A partner who has designed signature parts for professional artisans in fields where aesthetics are the preeminent factor.
A partner who will not shy away from being brutally honest about what works in a design - and what doesn’t.
Optimizing products is one of our greatest strengths, and we can’t wait to assist you with yours.
Design
Our iterative & interactive design process typically goes like this:
Preliminary discussion about your needs and wants
Hand sketches and initial concepts are worked up
► Present to customer, Reiterate as necessary
Build CAD models and perform engineering analysis (utilizing FEA/CFD as required)
Generate renderings and overview of design
Create 3D-printed rapid prototype to illustrate concept
► Present to customer, Reiterate as necessary
Create manufacturing drawings
Machine proof of concept parts
Build and test experimental prototype
► Present to customer, Reiterate as necessary
Finalize drawings, employing GD&T and tolerance stack-up analysis
Manufacture & procure components for final design
Build and test prototype, assess effectiveness of concept
► Present to customer, Reiterate as necessary
Refine design for final production
Manufacture established products on a larger scale
* Note: Not all services necessary — you let us know how far to go…
Manufacturing
Working with Agile Design Works for your manufacturing needs provides you with opportunities not commonly found in other engineering design houses or machine shops.
Between our in-house capabilities and network of vendors, we can make any project you have come to life.
How, you might ask? Well…
We have done it ourselves. From one-off, hand fabricated parts, to CNC-machined production runs, to figuring out resource allocation and planning for manufacturing >500k units per year, our experience is personal and seasoned.
We don’t take shortcuts. Everything we produce is a reflection of ourselves. You will never received shoddily finished parts, or sharp edges (unless you need them!), or pieces thrown in a box, or substituted materials — if we produced it, we stand behind it.
We know what things should cost. Everyone has a budget, and we can work with you to find the correct processes in order to accommodate what you need done, when you need it done.
We know what is possible in a short amount of time. With a background in providing emergency breakdown services, the standard production timeframe you’re used to doesn’t have to be the norm.
We have implemented assembly lines. It is one thing to design a product, and another to have it produced, but we have taken projects all the way to the consumer, complete with setting up assembly lines and providing customized packaging.
///
Learn More
Discover our story and get a taste of what we’ve accomplished.