Instead of designing, you should be working on your business. Outsourcing product engineering tasks—from initial CAD design to prototyping and production—offers numerous advantages.
The possibility of creating a product line is easier than ever with globalization. Manufacturing costs have decreased, and access to overseas supplies has improved, leading to better product margins. Modern design and product engineering now include end-to-end solutions for many businesses.
For companies lacking in-house expertise or experience in product design, the journey can be daunting. This is where specialized product design services come into play, providing access to skilled designers and engineers who can transform your vision into a tangible 3D reality.
What is Product Engineering?
Product engineering refers to the process of designing, developing, testing, and refining a product to ensure it meets functional, aesthetic, and market requirements. It encompasses a range of activities involved in bringing a new product from concept to market.
At Tangent Solutions, this includes a wide scope of design engineering techniques such as 3D laser scanning, design quality analysis, and even manufacturer sourcing. The goal is to efficiently navigate the stages of ideation, design, prototyping, testing, and production, ultimately delivering a successful and market-ready product.
Benefits of Product Development
Market Research
Understanding the target market is crucial. Product development services often begin with comprehensive market research to identify consumer needs, preferences, and trends. This step shapes the product concept and aligns it with market demand. It requires collaboration with clients, as they are the experts in their field.
We are experts in new product development solutions and have experience working with clients from diverse industries, including aerospace, consumer products, and manufacturing. Our ability to adapt technologies from one industry to benefit another sets us apart.
Idea Generation and Conceptualization
With extensive product development expertise, we assist in brainstorming, ideation, and concept development. Engineers work with clients to refine ideas, ensuring they are feasible, innovative, and have the potential for marketplace success.
Design and Prototyping
Design services involve creating detailed 3D scans of existing prototypes, post-processing, CAD file creation, and 2D prints. After the design phase, rapid prototyping using methods like 3D printing or direct manufacturing may be employed. 
While prototyping can be a significant investment, it is essential for validating designs before committing to end-stage processes such as machining or injection molding.
Testing and Quality Assurance
With a working prototype, development services provide rigorous testing to ensure the product meets quality standards and performs as intended. This phase may involve simulations, real-world testing, and verifying fitment and design choices to address any issues.
Manufacturing Support
Product development services assist in selecting manufacturing partners, sourcing materials, and optimizing production processes. Collaboration with manufacturers ensures a smooth transition from design to production.
Post-Launch Support and Improvement
The product development process doesn’t end at launch. Services often include ongoing support, monitoring customer feedback, and implementing improvements or updates to enhance performance and address emerging market needs.
Once initial CAD files are created, design changes are easy do not require as many billable hours. 
What is CAD Design?
CAD, or Computer-Aided Design, empowers designers to experiment, add features, and efficiently adjust products using computer models. It enables designers, engineers, and architects to draft, model, and simulate ideas in a virtual environment before physical creation. CAD software facilitates efficient manipulation and visualization of three-dimensional models, enabling exploration of designs, alterations, and variations.
Widely used across industries such as manufacturing, architecture, automotive, and electronics, CAD provides a powerful tool for accurate design, analysis, and documentation throughout the product development process.
Respectfully, any manufacturing process you choose with require CAD files. No manufacturer will be able to quote a project without a file to build their programming off of. Read this article about the process with CNC machining, specifically.
At Tangent Solutions, our CAD software processes data from 3D scanning, prepares models for 3D printing, and seamlessly transforms technical drawings into detailed CAD files. Using Solidworks, a favorite among designers, our product engineering team creates realistic product images before physical prototypes are necessary.
Outsourcing CAD Design Services
Learning and mastering CAD software can be time-consuming, and not every company can afford to hire dedicated staff for this task. Tangent Solutions offers a team of professional engineers with expertise in CAD software and manufacturing knowledge.
Time and error savings achieved through CAD design translate into cost savings. Efficient designers increase output, reducing costs in areas such as prototyping and overall design processes.
5 Ways to Boost Your Product Engineering Strategy
Launching a new product involves countless moving parts, from ideation and design to prototyping and manufacturing. For businesses aiming to get to market quickly and efficiently, partnering with a product development service provider can be a game-changer. Here’s how these services can streamline the process and give you a competitive edge:
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Rapid Prototyping and Iteration
Product development services specialize in creating prototypes quickly using advanced tools like CAD modeling, 3D printing, and CNC machining. Rapid prototyping allows you to test concepts, refine designs, and address potential issues early, saving time and resources.
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Access to Expert Teams
Partnering with a product development service means leveraging the expertise of multidisciplinary teams, including engineers, designers, and project managers. These professionals bring industry-specific knowledge, helping you avoid common pitfalls and accelerating decision-making.
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Cost Efficiency Through Specialized Tools
Investing in in-house tools and equipment for product development can be expensive. Service providers have access to state-of-the-art technology, such as metrology-grade 3D scanners and simulation software, reducing overhead costs and increasing development speed.
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Streamlined Path to Manufacturing
Many product development services have established relationships with manufacturers and can help bridge the gap between design and production. They optimize designs for manufacturability, reducing delays and minimizing costly redesigns.
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Focus on Core Business Activities
Outsourcing product development allows your internal teams to focus on core business activities such as marketing, sales, and strategy. Entrusting technical aspects to experts ensures smoother collaboration and a more efficient go-to-market plan.
Partner with Tangent Solutions
Product engineering encompass a holistic approach to creating and launching successful products. These services leverage expertise in various disciplines to guide businesses through the complexities of bringing innovative and competitive products to market.
Outsourcing product development services provides businesses with several advantages, including cost savings through access to skilled professionals without hiring within your business. This strategy allows companies to focus on core competencies by delegating non-core functions to external specialists.
Product development services allows for access to new talent pools, enabling the utilization of specialized skills that may not be locally available. External development teams can expedite time-to-market, a crucial factor in gaining a competitive edge, especially in industries where innovation and timing are key. Scalability is another benefit, allowing businesses to adjust development efforts based on project requirements.
At Tangent Solutions, we specialize in end-to-end product development services that help businesses transform ideas into market-ready products. From concept design to manufacturing support, we’re here to accelerate your journey to success.
Ready to fast-track your product launch? Contact us today to learn how we can help.
