Creative Brief
Before R&R begins to work its creative alchemy, we thoroughly define the project and its scope, features, purpose, and functionality. Our team leads the client through a programming exercise to help explore the needs of the ultimate users of the product, and we identify the extent of the services required to manifest the project’s vision.
Milestones
As the design team begins to form a cohesive relationship and a shared concept for building the final product, a schedule is created to map out specific steps or sub-goals that will be achieved throughout the process. Clients can be kept apprised of progress with frequent updates (using MS Project). By creating milestones we have the ability to keep careful track of resources as well as deadlines that need to be attained.
Establish Deadlines
Because we are dedicated to having our expert team execute projects quickly and efficiently, a carefully-planned schedule is planned out at the outset of the project to detail when each subsequent sub-goal can be expected to have been met.
Allocate Resources
The Statement of Work thus developed in the initial stages of R&R’s Project Management spells out each R&R team member’s work activities and timeline for the project, ensuring that all necessary deadlines will be met on time and within budget.
Target Market
Through intensive design research and strategic evaluation, R&R gains insight into a client’s brand identity, consumer base, existing assets, and key market opportunities.
Contextual Inquiry
In our Market Research phase we thoroughly explore past, current and future trends, product life cycle and expected lifespan, and the psychological aspects of the end users’ lifestyles and habits.
Data Collection
Sound research methods meticulously and objectively applied result in an accurate assessment of current market conditions as well as identifying precisely how the product under design can best be positioned for success.
Discover Opportunities
Using the knowledge thus gained as a springboard for design, we ensure that every R&R recommendation fulfills the needs of both company and consumer, often breaking new ground in existing markets with our innovative results.
Conceptual Study
Our team provides an academic approach to the design process, informed by their expert knowledge of industrial needs as well as by the individual specifications of the project underway.
At this stage we take a systematic approach to launching an idea, incorporating a highly effective “6 thinking-hat” decision-making process while taking into account all factors from ergonomic needs to current market trends.
Ergonomics
Integrating the relevant aspects of human biology and psychology with their expert knowledge of engineering and design, all R&R projects aim to optimize a product’s performance while simultaneously protecting the health, safety, comfort, and well-being of the targeted end-user.
Photo Realistic Rendering
Once the best concept has been selected, it is systematically evaluated, beginning with the creation of a CAD file, for both rendering and engineering purposes. Both stages generally run in parallel, to most efficiently establish the final manufacturable and cost-effective product. Depending on the project, a variety of concepts may be rendered for presentation purposes.
Graphic Design
Our graphic design team is well-equipped with state-of-the-art technology and expertise to create the most effective graphics for product enhancement as well as for marketing purposes. If desired by the client, fully photorealistic-rendered animation with audio and visual effects may be created to demonstrate and further evaluate the conceptual products suggested.
Animation
If necessary to perfect the ergonomic design of a product, ensuring optimal human interaction with the emerging equipment, R&R Associates’ animation experts can render moving graphics to enhance a product’s industrial design. Animation can include full audio-visual effects for demonstrations including fly-throughs and turntable layouts.
Design Refinement
After the research stage, we start our conceptual work given our clear assessment of the fundamentals of the project’s technical requirements. Utilizing everything from old-school pencils and markers to high-end digital touch-pads, we create sketches using state-of-the-art Wacom Tablets, brainstorming and free-associating to create as many sketches as needed internally until presenting to the client the best and final concepts. In this stage we define functions, choose appropriate physical effects as working principles for the given functions, consider the major form parameters linked to the effect, and sketch principle solutions.
Assembly
Dedicated manufacturing facilities allow a rapid transition from inspirational concept to real-world prototype once a product idea has been designed and engineered.
Bill of Materials
As the product design emerges, R&R’s Project Manager uses the now well-informed assessment of product specifications to present to the client a detailed list of all the materials, sub-assemblies, intermediate assemblies, sub-components, components, and parts that will be needed for the manufacture of the final product.
Finite Element Analysis
Using mathematical techniques to break down a physical structure into substructures or "finite elements," interrelationships are then converted into equation form to mathematically analyze and solve mechanical issues such as stress resistance and displacement while minimizing weight and expense.
PCB Design
A printed circuit board, or PCB, is used to mechanically support and electrically connect electronic components using conductive pathways, tracks or signal traces etched from copper sheets laminated onto a non-conductive substrate. This highly reliable approach is also considerably less expensive than traditional circuit engineering methods.
System Control
R&R can perform all necessary Electromagnetic Compatibility, Environmental, and Electrical Test Services. From connectors and the smallest electronic components to trucks and construction equipment, we have the expertise to handle the broadest range of product testing.
Signal Processing
R&R Associates bring years of electrical engineering expertise to the processing of electrical representations (analog or digital) of time-varying or spatial-varying physical quantities, or signals, vital to the design of complex components.
FDM
Once designed, and based on ongoing interactive client feedback, the developing product’s electrical, electronic, and electromechanical components are rapidly transformed into viable prototypes for additional testing and perfecting. Techniques include Fused Deposition Modeling, in which a model is created of a fully functional product including paint, silk-screening, PCB's, ribs, bosses, and all components that a working unit will ultimately contain.
CNC
Based on CAD data developed, prototypes can be quickly and cost-effectively machined into a wide range of engineering materials using R&R’s state-of-the-art CNC software and equipment.
SLS / SLA Modeling
Depending upon product requirements, prototyping may be performed using Selective Laser Sintering (SLS) (using a fine powder) or Stereolithography (SLA) (using a liquid resin), both exceptionally quick, cost-effective, and high-definition processes.
Composite (Carbon Fiber) molding processing
Over the years we have become one of the leading design companies that create products using carbon fiber technology. Military standards have pushed our design team to the limits to create more rugged but lighter enclosures withstanding a 9mm blast and at the same time pass IP 65/67 mil-spec requirements.
Soft Tool Over-Molding
Incorporating an increasingly broad range of thermoplastic elastomers, soft-tool overmolding provides an abundance of novel color, texture, and tactile options for effective, comfortable, non-slip, and abrasion-resistant handles, grips, and other products and product parts.
Thermoforming
Using vacuum forming, mechanical forming, or pressure forming, followed by advanced finishing techniques, R&R engineers can produce prototypes offering close tolerances, tight adherence to specifications, and sharp detail.
RTV / Silicone Tooling
When multiple copies of a master prototype part are needed, RTV molding effectively and inexpensively creates silicone molds capable of reproducing remarkable detail along with flexibility, both most useful qualities in the prototyping stage of product design.
Global Supplier
To be able to compete in today’s world, R&R has mastered the art of effectively and rapidly serving all needs for shipping or delivery around the globe.
Network of Manufacturers
Years of experience in design and manufacturing have enabled us to find and evaluate many vendors, both local and foreign. If needed, we can additionally manage the manufacturing stage, including mold design and importing of components (such as plastic parts).
In-house Manufacturing
As a service company, we provide technical expertise and state-of-the-art CAD support that is unmatched in the manufacturing industry, while remaining sensitive to customer needs in terms of cost, quality, and schedule.
Using a broad range of manufacturing resources including state-of-the-art technologies results in improved quality, lower costs, and minimized scrap and rework, thus improving the bottom line.
Consultation
We are dedicated professionals offering inventors the patent information they need throughout the patent process - from invention documentation and patent searches to analysis of market potential, and invention marketing to suitable manufacturers. We assist not only inventors, but manufacturers as well.
Our practice primarily concentrates on patents, trademarks, trade secrets, infringement analyses, and related Intellectual Property matters.
Building on our extensive experience, which includes close to one thousand prosecuted patent applications in the United States and abroad, as well as numerous trademarks filings, we offer high quality, personalized service at reasonable rates.
Evaluation
The evaluation and patent search is a vital part of the process to protect the patent holder from infringing upon someone else's patent and being hit with huge fines. Our corporate patent lawyer seeks to obtain favorable final action for the applicant. If successful, a patent issues on the application, conferring on the patent owner the right to exclude others from making, using and selling the invention in the U.S. for a term which is normally twenty years from the date of filing of the application, unless extended under certain exceptional circumstances.
UL
Our team can assist with your design efforts, help troubleshoot tough problems, and provide up-to-date and unbiased guidance on domestic and international regulations that may apply to your product.
Our team will help you get your product to market faster other UL consultant companies. With our help, you can get from submittal to certification report in as little as 4 weeks.
When the engineering evaluation is completed, your evaluation plan will be developed. With the proper planning, your product will pass the tests. If there is a test failure, we know how to help correct the problem. The engineers at our company have a tremendous relationship with their UL counterparts. It truly is a successful partnership.
FDA
Our experience helps our clients with professional service to register your company with US FDA, classify and list your products and serve as US Agent. We provide efficient and personal service to you in complying with the registration requirements of the US FDA. Our Team gets you into compliance with the law so your products can be used in the US.
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We handle FDA registrations: we register your food or medical device with the FDA and advise of your mandatory FDA Registration Number;
- We serve as your mandatory " Agent" for foreign food or medical device facilities;
- We monitor the registration laws and regulations and keeps you advised of any changes to them that might affect your US FDA registration;
- We interact between the FDA and you as your agent for all alerts, notices and communications to comply with the Laws
- We CONFIDENTIALLY transmit all legally required notices and communications between the FDA and your food facility;
FCC
The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) is an independent United States government agency. The FCC was established by the Communications Act of 1934 and is charged with regulating interstate and international communications by radio, television, wire, satellite and cable. The FCC's jurisdiction covers the 50 states, the District of Columbia, and U.S. possessions.
Our FCC Services include electromagnetic compatibility, regulatory compliance, qualification, environmental, FCC Compliance services. We assist our clients to be FCC compliance which includes all Military, Consumer and commercial FCC compliance.
ISO
Our company can provide you with the support you need to achieve and maintain ISO certification for your organization. Based on your company’s needs, O&A will assemble a team of experts that can guide you through the steps required to implement a simple, streamlined quality management system that meets ISO requirements and continually improves your business performance.
We assist many small- and medium-sized businesses in working towards ISO certification. Our clients enjoy our flexibility in organizing the process to fit their needs and view us as their partner. Our team is committed to delivering high-quality service. Our consulting services include assistance in all phases of ISO certification: From ISO preparation to ISO documentation, implementation and execution and finally to ISO maintenance. Examples of our services are:
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ISO Planning & Project Management
- ISO Pre-certification/Pre-Assessment
- Gap Analysis
- Internal Audit, Maintenance Audits
- Document Control System Development
- Non-conforming Documents Correction
- ISO Implementation & Execution Assistance
- Continuous Improvement Implementation
- Calibration Processes Analysis
- Strategic Quality Plan Development
EMC
Our company transforms information into business results.
Our consultants bring a unique mix of industry, business, and technology expertise to solve today’s toughest challenges.
We help organizations create innovative user experience and designs that transform information into consumable and personalized views.
With expertise in the retail, finance, entertainment, telco and utilities sectors, we have industry-leading capabilities in developing digital applications.
Services we offer includes filter designs, product reviews, EMC test plans and EMC training seminars tailored to customer products and industry requirements.
Our area of expertise includes new product designs and product retrofits that require EMC regulatory compliance or functional needs for:
All types of motors (AC or DC, brushed commutated or electrically commutated)
Printed circuit boards
Connectors
Integrated circuits
Component evaluation and characterization
Complex electro-mechanical assemblies
CE
The EU introduced the CE marking scheme to make trade easier and cheaper between EU countries. It means that a manufacturer claims that their product conforms to the minimum legal requirements for health and safety as laid down in EU directives.
Often customers will look for CE marking on a product as an indication of conformance to laid down minimum standards, and therefore a minimum level of quality that other products may lack.
If you manufacture or import a product which falls within the scope of one or more of the New Approach Directives and wish to place your product on the market in any of the members states of the European Economic Area (EEA), then you must apply CE marking to your product against the essential requirements of all these applicable directives.
Product Directives contains the "essential requirements" and/or "performance levels" and "Harmonized Standards" to which the products must conform. Harmonized Standards are the technical specifications (European Standards or Harmonization Documents) which are established by several European standards agencies (CEN, CENELEC, etc).
Six Sigma
Six Sigma is a rigorous and a systematic methodology that utilizes information (management by facts) and statistical analysis to measure and improve a company's operational performance, practices and systems by identifying and preventing 'defects' in manufacturing and service-related processes in order to anticipate and exceed expectations of all stakeholders to accomplish effectiveness.
Our Practice works closely with clients to assist in the definition and introduction of rapid, optimized processes tailored for specific business needs. We work with client organizations through ongoing training, mentoring, and management assistance to ensure successful introduction of new methods – and achieve the best possible results. The goal of Six Sigma is to increase profits by eliminating variability, defects and waste that undermine customer loyalty.
Six Sigma at many organizations simply means a measure of quality that strives for near perfection. Six Sigma is a disciplined, data-driven approach and methodology for eliminating defects in any process - from manufacturing to transactional and from product to service.
Six Sigma can be understood/perceived at three levels: Metric, Methodology and Philosophy.
Packaging Design
Packaging design services help businesses to design bags, boxes and other packaging products for the protection of fragile or valuable contents during the movement of products from a distribution center to consumers. Package design is also an important marketing tool that allows a business to promote the features and benefits of individual products. With laptop computers and cell phones, product packaging design makes packaging part of the product itself. For some consumers, product styling is an especially important consideration. The clamshell packaging used with flip phones protects the cell phone while not in use, but can be flipped open when the user needs to operate the device.
Packaging design services comply with many different regulatory requirements and quality standards. In the United States, the relevant regulatory agencies include the Environmental Protection Organization (EPA), the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), the Interstate Commerce Commission (ICC), and the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). Packaging design services that serve European markets should comply with relevant European Union directives (EU) regarding health and safety. Products that bear the CE Mark comply with these directives. Bag design, box design, clamshell design, and custom packaging products that meet other regulatory requirements by organizations such as the Canadian Standards Association (CSA) are also commonly available.
Service Design
The best way to ensure a safety standard compliant product is to get it right in the design phase. Even large corporations with knowledgeable staff regularly seek outside assistance from the product safety experts.
If you don't have a designer or design staff trained in product safety, you might be rolling the dice right from the drawing board. You need to make sure your product design is problem-free from the beginning.
The design assistance is a quick and cost-effective process. Catching potential problems in the design phase can save you tens of thousands of dollars and help avoid time-to-market delays.
Advertisement
Our sister company provides clients with results-focused, full service advertising agency solutions. With in-house resources and both online and offline marketing expertise, we are able to deliver creative promotions and advertising services at highly competitive rates.
What we do:
Marketing Research & Consultation
Public Relations & Promotions
Branding & Corporate Identity
TV, Radio & Print Advertising
Media Planning & Placement
Direct Mail
Creative Services
Brochures & Sales Support Materials
Video & Audio Production
Campaign
If any company that has their product and are looking for a fast, easy and cheap way to promote your brand and your product then you should try distributing free items and giveaways. Free items and giveaways in the form of promotional items will increase consumers’ knowledge about your brand, product or services. Our Campaign services enable a company to communicate a more personalized message to their customers.
Your campaigns can serve a number of purposes and deliver a variety of messages, from newsletters to keep your name in the mind of your existing customer base, announcements to update people on any changes to your products or services, or promotions to increase your sales – such as special offers or new product launches.