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Product Development success story

The new Product Development Centre at the Innovation Centre is proving to be a great success. The Centre houses a rapid prototyping scanner and vacuum casting facilities - with a 15 seat computer training centre with a range of 3D modelling software including Finite Element Analysis and Computational Fluid Dynamics.

The Centre was set up to help businesses train people in 3D CAD and Rapid Prototyping. The focus of the project was for companies in the Hastings area to increase skills and stimulate innovation. The project is managed by South Knowledge Exchange which is a partnership of Brighton, Portsmouth and Bucks Chilts Universities who bring together University specialisms in design, rapid prototyping and product manufacturing.

The PDC can help local manufacturing companies with:

• best practice in product development
• state-of-the-art training and prototyping equipment
• a demonstration of how effective product development can help your business
• quality training

In addition the Centre also hosts a programme of training events covering a broad range of product development issues.

A number of local manufacturers have already taken advantage of the state of the art facilities and the Centre is keen to offer its facilities to other local companies. The projects that the PDC have helped with have been wide ranging, from designing bouncy castles access systems for disabled children to a rapid prototyping of a helicopter fast hook winching system.

In one case, a client of the Hub used the PDC to help design the most cost effective metal case for a scientific light source. The PDC produced designs to manufacture the product in sheet metal, using CNC and using aluminium extrusion and obtained costings for each model. This allowed the client to decide on the best manufacturind. If you have any product design projects, the highly experienced staff at the PDC are sure to be able to help.

If you'd like more information on the Product Development Centre, contact them on 01424 858237; email info@pdchastings.co.uk or visit
www.pdchastings.co.uk

29 Aug 2008