From Concept to New Product
Guided By
Bring your product ideas to life, whether a new product or an update, to delight your customers. From concept to completion, we make product design and development a positive step forward.
With Years of Experience in a Spectrum of Industries,
We Assist Customers in Building Success
Here are four insightful Case Studies to illustrate how we support customers in Product Development and Project Success. Tap the + to read the story. Our recipe includes Innovation, mixed with active Collaboration, Engineering Expertise, and years of Product Design Experience.
New Technology To Fix Old Problems
One of the least developed areas of the bicycle WAS the front shifting. With our engineering help, one bicycle components company changed that weakness into a great opportunity.
In cooperation, Synthesis Engineering developed several innovative cycling components (now protected by several patents) to transform the bicycle drivetrain. The results of our product design and development have raced in the Tour de France, and served to assist in many World Cup CX wins - even shifting in conditions at the World Championships where all the other technologies failed.
These technology advancements are not just for racers. They serve thousands of cyclists, generating millions of smiles, with faster and precise shifting.
Read the Bicycle Front Shifting Case Study.
Optical Illusion in 3D Product Design
Artistic appeal can often hide the depth of engineering innovation and technical problem-solving in product design. The art can mask the technical effort and creativity required to get it there.
For these License Plate frames, Synthesis provides the design, engineering, and product development on which the art shines. But the complexity of thought is hidden, because it looks simple.
The beauty of the work comes as the eye is captivated by the art, overlooking the optical illusion and 3D effects carefully crafted in. These hidden engineering details allow the frame to meet the legal, and manufacturing requirements, while maintaining the artistic expression. Yes, we turn art concepts into functional, market-ready products.
Read the Artistic Frame Design Case Study.
Design Verification in Prototypes
Effective product development goes beyond design, it is creating solutions that work. A key step in the process is design verification, where prototyping brings concepts to life, reveals challenges, and reduces development risk.
At Synthesis we use rapid prototyping (3D printing) to quickly produce functional parts, with geometry that was once difficult or impossible to manufacture. Modern additive manufacturing allows us to validate ideas, optimize designs, and accelerate time to market.
We select the best prototyping methods for each project, ensuring the prototype serves the intended purpose to support product development success.
Read the Prototyping Case Study
Custom Trailers For Specialized Work
The sphere of product development also includes custom trailer design. In this project, the trailer requirements were tight, and the function out of the norm. Yes, a great example of purpose-driven product design.
In this case study, Synthesis Engineering tackles a challenging custom trailer by defining specifications, solving complex engineering challenges, and creating comprehensive manufacturing drawings. The result is a trailer to meet the strict requirements.
From specification through innovation to final drawings out the door. Making a great product is a process, and we don't shortcut it.
Read the Custom Trailer Design Case Study.
There are many more product design and development examples throughout this website. Most of the images showcase products shaped by our engineering and design. Even our custom machine creations are further examples of purpose-driven product development.
There are more Engineering Case Studies in the Library, like this insightful study about Managing Conflicting Constraints, and this one discussing the value of Collaboration in Design Reviews.
We love design, and we bring a spirit of innovation to all our customers across so many various industries. For even more product design, browse the Portfolio Page or visit the Big Slide Show. These all give a taste of the range of Engineering Services results we achieve with our customers.
We Bring
Insight, Innovation & Broad Experience
You Bring
Vision, Direction & Your Industry Knowledge
Together
We Create Awesome Products and Happy CustomersEach customer project is completely unique . . . So,
We will help with as much or as little as you need.
A Journey From Idea To Production
The path from First Idea through to and item ready for production is unique for every product. Each journey has unique steps dictated by the needs. It often includes iterations of Design, Testing, Prototyping, and Refinement. The path to realization is both well mapped, and unique at the same time.
We know product development well, yet your unique concepts and circumstances will bring exciting new variations on the road to travel. Here is a simplified visual of the Product Development Process:
We rely on your product vision, along with the functional requirements and engineering criteria. We also get input from potential manufacturers - to be sure the final design is efficient and cost-effective to produce. The more we know, the smoother the path through the Product Development Process.
Refinement and testing cycles ensure the final product will meet your quality standards, and end customer expectations. The process timeline can be longer or shorter depending on the complexity of the project, and the depth of innovation to prove. The best way to know is to ask us. Certainly your path is unique.
Much more detail about the Product Development Process & flow diagram is in this Signature Article.
We've worked on hundreds of new products, and numerous new patents.
At the end of the day, the best thing about product development is seeing the impact a new idea has in the life of the business owner, and their customers.
Who Is A Good Fit For Synthesis?
If you like collaborating with innovative, out-of-the-box thinkers, then you might also be a good fit. If you seek a fresh, skilled, outside perspective, then you are likely a good fit. Talk to us at Synthesis.
Over the years we have worked in a broad spectrum of industries — from Military to Medical — Toys to Technology — Bicycles to Bulldozers — Micro to Majestic. Because we are not industry constrained, we bring good ideas from each industry to enrich the others. And, we bring engineering with a mix of Science, Function and Style to every project.
Product based companies reaching for success are a great fit. We can best help those who are open to broader thinking and understand the accelerating effects of seeding and collaboration.
What are you here looking for? We are happy to take a few minutes to understand your needs, then help determine if we are a good fit to assist.
Start by connecting. It's quite possible that we can make your job a lot easier — and help reach the goals faster.
More Samples . . .
Below are a few more examples of awesome product design and product development projects we are privileged to be involved with. Then, you will find even more on the Synthesis Design Portfolio page. Please note, much of what we do is confidential, so we can only display a portion of our work samples.
Of course, your project is different than these, so let's talk. We are one message away, and that is the best way to know.
A very small, but powerful actuator, Electrical and Mechanical design.
Called OWNC, this invention combines functions into one compact assembly.
An early pioneer in RFID brought compact and ergonomics.
A tricky piece, requiring both part design and mold design by Synthesis.
Silly fun projects to demonstrate ability, and for no other good reason.
Yes, we regularly work with Non-Disclosure Agreements to protect confidential product design projects. If you already have an NDA, we are happy to review it. We work with mutual agreements that are fair to both parties. If your NDA or contract says things we create while working with you automatically become your property, we can't sign it. We work with many customers, so we can't assign their work to you, and technically, that is what some of the contracts say. No, the NDA must be mutual as a show of trust and respect to everyone.
If you need an NDA, we offer a 'Boiler-Plate' Mutual NDA in the Synthesis Library that you are welcome to use.
The essence of an NDA is to remind all parties to "Play Nice". We always do that, with or without a legal document. We would not be in business for so many years if we stole other intellectual property. That is not how we roll.
We take confidentiality seriously. Our reputation is built on trust and professionalism, and we treat intellectual property with respect. Mutual NDAs protect everyone involved, recognizing that both you and Synthesis may bring valuable ideas to the table.
Time required for product development depends on the complexity and goals of the project. A straightforward design with minimal requirements might take just a few weeks, but initial design is just the start of the process. Prototyping, testing, analysis, refinements, consumer research, and preparation for manufacturing can take much longer.
Every project is unique. The level of innovation, number of development stages, and your specific needs all play a role in the timeline. We are happy to discuss your ideas and share timing that is typical for projects like yours. We want you to have a clear picture of what to expect from the start.
Market research is essential for any successful product, but it is not a service we provide. We encourage all our clients to do their own research (or work with a marketing service) to understand market needs and potential acceptance. Please don't rely on "I like it, so everyone will."
If you are an inventor or exploring a new idea, we recommend starting with our "Inventors Lab" articles for practical tips and guidance.
The cost of product development can vary widely. Every project is unique, and factors like size, complexity, required innovation, and outside services (like prototyping) all play a role.
Certainly,engineering and design costs are a key part of the process, yet they are usually a small part of whole process. Launching production, for instance, can be significant. Manufacturing costs are usually much higher than the engineering services, so please be prepared for that too. Unfortunately, it is not something we can guess until deep into a project.
We understand cost is an important consideration. While we can't give a standard price up front, we are happy to discuss your ideas and goals so you have a clear understanding of things involved and what to expect. Our aim is always to help clients achieve strong returns when their product launches.
If you are concerned about costs or want perspective before starting, we can help you plan ahead so your project has the best chance for success.
Every customer project is unique, so even with the above examples, we understand, your needs are different. That means we should talk. Together we can consider your project needs, then get you moving in the right direction.