Singapore Team Visits SIGMADESIGN Vancouver

Members of the SIGMADESIGN Singapore office were in Vancouver, WA working with colleagues and clients during the month of October, 2013. Their visit purposely coincided with the company’s 20th anniversary celebration so that they could attend. As SIGMADESIGN offers services from concept through production, the Singapore office plays a critical role in providing our clients with support in Asia. The Singapore …

Expanded Engineering Capabilities at SIGMADESIGN

By Matt Cameron   Growth is often associated with progress and success in business. As SIGMADESIGN continues to grow, the engineering services we offer continues to expand to directly benefit our clients. When I started at SIGMADESIGN, there were only 3 Engineers on staff; all of whom were mechanical. Now we have 100+ Engineers employed, including software, firmware, electrical and …

Solace

THE FUTURE OF PAIN MANAGEMENT

by Mark Schoening | Director of Industrial Design Ever wish you could erase pain by pushing a button? SIGMADESIGN is working on a concept to do just that. Electro-stimulation is commonly used by chiropractors, physical therapists and sports-medicine doctors for treating chronic and acute pain. These treatments, though effective, can be inconvenient: a desktop or handheld ‘stimulator’ device must be …

2nd generation

SIGMADESIGN Industrial Design – IDEA 2013 Finalists

IN 2013, our Industrial Design team worked on a project to be submitted in several design competitions.  The design was a finalist in the 2013 IDEA contest. The project: 2nd Generation.  The challenge: Re-imagining what a generator can be. The “2nd Generation” project was an opportunity to address common complaints of portable power generation (e.g. cost, noise, size, fire danger, maintenance, …

Breadboard button being tested

Testing | a crucial stage in the design process

Much of SIGMADESIGN’s test lab work involves ensuring products pass a specific standard. Does it pass the appropriate parts of IEC 60068? One of the many MIL standard methods? FCC Part 15? This type of routine testing is interesting to do, but it is completed according to strict processes and the answer is typically “yes” or “no.” My favorite question …

John Barker and the #N819WB

SIGMADESIGN Founder Takes Flight

SIGMADESIGN founder and Senior Mechanical Engineer John Barker has restored a few airplanes in the past including a 1976 Cessna 172, a 1965 Citabria, and a 1965 Cessna 182.  But he always dreamed of building his own airplane from the ground up.  Finally in 2003, he began taking steps towards accomplishing that dream.  Obtaining a kit to build a Van’s …

An Experience in Cooperation

by John Schlottmann | Director of Business Development SIGMADESIGN Supply Chain Management, Fabrication and Manufacturing expertise facilitates completion of Ziba project. Ziba was in the final stages of completing development of the AccuFit ℠ Digital Measurement System.  The AccuFit ℠ System, developed for LensCrafters, was the first digital measurement system in the US and Canada.  The primary technology behind the system …

Acclimates

A Heater that Divides and Conquers

We agree with our partners and clients at CADET:  electric ‘zonal’ heating is the most efficient way to heat a house.  A zonal heater allows heating of one or two rooms, instead of the whole house; it allows heating of a room – say a bathroom – quickly, just long enough to get ready for work.   And using electrical energy …

HP-SIGMADESIGN WEB PRESS COLLABORATION

Hewlett-Packard made public our industrial design work on their HP T400 Web Press, a giant Inkjet printer used for high-volume production of books, magazines and promotional materials. Working closely with the HP engineers in Corvallis, OR, the SIGMADESIGN INDUSTRIAL DESIGN team conceptualized, developed and refined all the external forms and details for this 75-foot-long printer. Design details for the web press …

The Quick-Turn Tool Gets Client’s Production Line Running Again

by Ben Mergen, Mechanical Engineer At SIGMADESIGN, there is never a dull moment.  The variety of projects, from consumer electronics to medical equipment, keeps each department on their toes every day.  Recently, our design, machining, and lab capabilities were put to an extreme test.  One of our customers was faced with a sudden problem when a production line issue resulted …