Introduction

Vale Industrial Design was approached to assist with the development of Edwards’ new platform as a succession to their most popular high-runner system. Joining the team 1 year through the design process meant there was a degree of catching up to do with regards to understanding system configurations, optionality and ultimately the machine design. This project required good knowledge across the mechanical design and design for manufacturing realms since the goal is to have a 2nd run prototype built by August 2026.

Day to day Tasks

• Catia 3DX CAD platform for all aspects of part and assembly design

• Fabrication drawings and detailed design for high precision components

• Promoting design enhancements with value and simplicity as a major focus

• Configuring E-BOM for Manufacturing ease, and collaborating with the manufacturing and production teams to produce the most viable set of specifications for building sub-systems

• Planning test schedules for new sub-systems

• Adherence to Machinery Directive and SEMI regulations throughout the design procedure

The Importance of On-Site Work with a New Product

Throughout this development period, collaboration with other business stakeholders such as Manufacturing, Customer Support and Sustaining were absolutely vital. Understanding the other teams’ challenges and working routines results in Engineering building in considerations into their designs. It answered questions like:

• What sub-assemblies will we offer as spares to our customers?

• Is this design decision going to cause difficulty in the future for managing the product?

• How will technicians remove and re-fit a given sub-assembly within a certain time frame?

Considering Design Alternatives

This project encouraged systems level thinking to promote new design methods, techniques and requirement driven design. Some of the new cost saving approaches used were:

• The breakout of new parts to supply specific variants, reducing redundant features on some platform configurations

• New fabrication and manufacturing methods, for example metal spinning instead of casting for a major component