Design Edge was founded in 1986 to meet the growing needs of the aerospace and hi-technology industries for creative design and engineering solutions. A year later, original partners Richard Haner and Chipp Walters requested Dan Doorley to open the Philadelphia office to serve East Coast clients more effectively.
Implicit in Design Edge╒s charter is to provide the best possible industrial design service in a timely and cost-effective manner. Design Edge╒s capabilities include: ergonomic research and documentation; conceptual/mechanical design and development; computer modeling and simulation; and both visual and engineering protoypes.
The fundamental goals of Design Edge are:
ÑDelivery of high quality service through the use of a carefully structured design process.
ÑMaintenance of that service by direct client to designer/engineer contact.
ÑTimely completion of agreed project deliverables
ÑEconomical project fees through careful project management and control of our corporate operating expenses
Design Edge is in a unique position to offer services which vastly increase the efficiency and timeliness of the product development cycle within our clients' corporations. Computer╤aided design and data transfer facilities allow us to develop, document, and deliver projects in a time╤effective manner. Typical C.A.D. output includes: assembly layouts, model drawings, and piece part control drawings. A comprehensive human factors database is integrated with our CAD system to allow us to test for compliance with existing ergonomic standards.
Computer generated 3-D models and video animation allow for quick mechanical engineering analysis as well as product color and graphics studies. Our model shop facilities allow us to produce ╥soft╙ models, typically made from a high density urethane foam, to verify basic volume and design direction. We also offer ╥hard╙ models suitable for advertising photography as well and working prototypes for mechanism and print checks.
Finally, our documentation and presentation capabilities allow us to deliver laser printed or typeset quality art work.
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Among the tools available to our designers for solving problems and simulating systems are: Computer research database structures that allow for efficient acquisition and analysis during the project research phase; Computer scaled 3-D human figures for reach/sight studies and addressing human factors issues; Computer-aided design and data transfer facilities to help in accessing client specific databases; 3-D and 2-D computer aided design and drafting for effective problem solving and documentaion; and proprietary computer animation software for ╥walk-through╙ simulations and video animations of both wireframe and solid shaded models.
Conceptual renderings along with computer generated models assist in finalizing the design direction. Advanced engineering structural analysis determines design details such as frame structure and G-load capabilities. Working prototypes not only allow for a visual check but may also be used as engineering samples for testing. Finally, our documentation capabilities provide the client with a project history for future reference.
Here are some samples of the animation done for NASA on Super 3D with our in-house path and camera control software.
