Electro-mechanical products from concept to production
Business surveys have shown that sales, public awareness, staff morale, productivity, and profitability can all be increased through investment in high quality product design. Article about this often focus on the glamorous exterior of a new product. But experienced project managers know that there is much more to it than this.

At Sanders Associates, we specialise in the parts of the product that are “under the skin”
We advise on, or provide fully detailed specifications for, any part of an existing or proposed product that relates to structural strength, durability, ease of use, abuse resistance, reliability of production, cost of production, and product safety. We quickly find practical, affordable solutions to objectives set by the client during the process of turning an idea into a manufactured item.

Most of our experience is with products that are...

Desktop size to matchbox size
Voltages in the range 3v to 400v
Produced in large numbers (2000 pa to 4M pa)
Made from plastic injection mouldings, metal pressings, die castings, motors, gearboxes, switches etc.

Design Brief
The brief is often the first piece of consultancy advice our clients need from us. We can help establish the scope of the design task and how it interacts with inputs from other parts of the client’s organisation. If necessary we can write the brief for the client to approve before we start work.

Even the simplest design job should have a brief agreed at the outset. It does not need to be a complex document; it just needs to be clear about what is essential, desirable, or nice-to-have. It is equally important to clarify what is not required and what must be avoided at all costs.

The Commission
Agreement on timescales, budgets, and terms of business.

Preliminary Research
Establishes the commercial viability of a new venture in broad terms. We work closely with the marketing, Engineering and Production experts within the client’s organisation. Bringing a fresh insight into the opportunities and pitfalls ahead. Often this stage focuses on market surveys, competitive products, and the clients own existing products, establishing what is good, bad, or indifferent about them.