Product Design & Engineering Review
PlasticNavi supports startup founders, independent product developers, growing brands and established companies at different stages of product development.
Our team draws on extensive experience in product engineering, mold making and injection molding production. We review the design and structure together—not just how a product looks or works, but how it can be manufactured reliably, efficiently and cost-effectively.
Discuss Your Product Stage
Start With What You Have
A project can begin with a written idea, hand sketch, reference product, photographs, 2D drawings, 3D CAD, handmade sample or functional prototype.
We review the intended use, functions, appearance and key requirements, identify what is confirmed and what remains uncertain, and explain what should be resolved before the next prototype or manufacturing commitment.
Start With What You HaveDevelop and Review the Structure
Develop or refine the parts, material choices, interfaces, fit and assembly details. Our engineering and production experience helps identify practical improvements to strength, reliability and manufacturability.
Before production mold design begins, we review function, structure, material behavior, wall thickness, draft, tolerances and other manufacturing risks to finalize a practical product design.
Optimize Manufacturing and Cost
Our understanding of mold construction and production helps us assess whether a proposed part structure can be tooled and molded reliably.
We consider tooling, molding, assembly and finishing early in the design, looking for opportunities to simplify production, reduce unnecessary tooling complexity and control investment while maintaining the required function and quality.
Continue to mold engineering and tooling
Prototype for a Specific Purpose
A prototype should answer a defined question at the current development stage. Appearance models support form and ergonomic review, while functional prototypes help evaluate fit, assembly, mechanisms, handling and performance before production tooling.
Support includes prototype creation, product analysis, testing and implementation of the required product functions. Functional plastic prototypes also allow customers to evaluate materials for strength, durability, color, performance and long-term cost before full-scale tooling investment.
Learn how 3D printing, CNC machining and rapid prototyping can be used to validate a product in our guide to plastic prototype manufacturing.
Prototyping Methods
PlasticNavi uses 3D printing, CNC machining and rapid prototyping according to the project requirements.
The method is selected based on part size, geometry, material needs, surface expectations, quantity and the features that need to be evaluated. The findings help refine the design before production tooling.
Software and File Capability
The design team uses AutoCAD, Pro/E, SolidWorks and UG for product and part development, together with Mastercam for mold-related work.
Common supported files include EASM, DWG, PDF, X_T, IGS and STP, allowing customers to work with the engineering information they already use.
Electronics Design and PCBA Support
For products with electronic functions, PlasticNavi works with a reliable electronics partner supporting hardware and software development, PCBA prototypes and sampling, and preparation for mass production.
This helps coordinate the mechanical, plastic and electronic aspects of the product during development.