Mould separation and ejection mechanism; CAD reconstruction
Reverse engineered an OEM mechanism into the client's CAD standard for future work
- Sector
- MedTech
- Years
- 2026
- Engagement
- Subcontracted
- Role
- Mechanical design engineer
- Status
- Complete: awaiting potential follow on design work
- Client
- End client and original equipment manufacturer withheld.
SolidWorks 2025
Problem
The end client operates a mould handling mechanism supplied by an overseas OEM, with no native CAD available in their own system. Before any future design work could be scoped, the client needed the existing mechanism captured accurately as native CAD in their own standard, so its footprint and space use could be assessed.
Constraints
- No source CAD existed; the model had to be built from a physical disassembly, sketches and photos.
- Every part had to match the client's current CAD style and standard so it could sit in their models.
- The mechanism footprint had to be captured accurately, to assess the space it occupies and to give a base model for any future work.
- Engineering drawings were required only for the small set of parts the client had originated.
Approach
- Worked from a disassembly reference set, sketches and photographs, produced and handed over by the client.
- Modelled all parts of the assembly to the client's CAD standard, reproducing the mechanism's footprint.
- Produced engineering drawings for the subset of parts the client was the original designer of.
- Delivered the model as the base for any future design work, spares or modifications.
Outcome
A complete CAD reconstruction of the mould handling mechanism, modelled to the client's standard and capturing its footprint, giving the client a basis to scope any future design work. Follow on design work pending.
Testimonial
“A trusted resource who can reliably convert ideas into accurate manufacturing documentation while maintaining Designwise drawing standards and numbering systems.”
See full testimonial
Further detail
D1Engagement
The mechanism came from an overseas OEM and had no CAD available. The client disassembled it, captured it in sketches and photographs, and passed the reference set to me. I modelled every part into the client’s current CAD standard so the assembly could live inside their own models. No original design work was involved; this was a like for like CAD capture of an existing mechanism.
D2Why it mattered
The end client is reviewing the mechanism with a view to possible future design work. Having it captured accurately as native CAD, with a true footprint, is what makes that work possible to scope, and also allows for any spares or modifications in the meantime.