Sigma Not Chicken To Take On Complex FEA Project

How much heat does it take to keep food safe for consumption? Sigma used its advanced engineering skills to answer this question. A New Jersey-based company asked Sigma to analyze their warming tray prototype by preforming a heat power analysis and thermal FEA on the heater element and control circuit.

This model was created to show the surface temperature of the warming plate.

The tray is designed to keep rotisserie chickens at a safe internal temperature of 140°F and breakfast sandwiches at a slightly lower temperature. This will be determined by a high and low setting that is set by an operator’s switch.

The first step was to determine the steady state heat power requirements to keep the chicken at temperature by using hand calculations. Then a simplified FEA was run to verify that it matched the
hand calculations.

The next step was to source heater elements that match the power requirements found in the hand and FEA calculations from the previous steps. The final step was to determine a control circuit to keep the surface temperature of the plate as constant as possible, meeting the FDA requirements for safe holding temperatures.

Want Sigma to turn up the heat on one of your projects? Contact us today and find out how Sigma Design Company can make your product a reality.

SIGMA Design Company- Turning Smart Ideas into Product Solutions  

A One-Stop Shop for CNC Milling and Machining

Sigma Design Company provides more than just design and engineering services. Did you know that one of Sigma’s in-house capabilities is the machining of complex parts using our 4-Axis Turnkey CNC Mill?

The progress is quick to track and easy to modify, enabling quick turnaround for customers.

Sigma’s productivity increases by being able to fabricate precise components.

Charles Horvath, Engineer Tech, operates the 4-Axis Turnkey CNC Mill.

Contact us today and find out how Sigma Design Company can make your product a reality.

Photo Realistic Plastic Design

A new venture start-up company had a unique idea for a baby bottle, which was easy to clean, BPA free and has a slow to medium flow rate. The bottle features two interchangeable lids and a wide-neck body design. In order to take their idea to a reality, they contacted Sigma Design.

Armed with only a Photoshop image of what they wanted, Sigma was able to create a photo realistic 3D CAD model that can be used for product marketing going forward.

Client’s artist rendering, left, and Sigma’s 3D CAD model.

 

 

 

Learn more about how Sigma can turn your smart ideas into product solutions.

Sigma’s Capabilities: Computational Fluid Dynamics

One software tool available to Sigma engineers is computational fluid dynamics, or CFD. Used to analyze the flow of fluids (gaseous or liquid), CFD is a powerful tool capable of solving some of engineering’s toughest challenges. CFD can handle a wide range of problems, including: external fluid flow around a part or assembly, internal fluid flow through cavities (such as a heat exchanger) and heat transfer through solid bodies.

CFD’s heat transfer capabilities have been of particular help to Sigma’s clients recently. The software can simulate heat loads to specific areas and calculate the heat lost to the surrounding environment via convection. We can also add additional fluids to the analysis, such as an internal water cooling channel to simulate real-world operation. By capturing all of the relevant heating and cooling elements, a highly accurate model of how complex assemblies behave under varying thermal conditions is created. Engineers and customers can then review the temperature of parts, heat loss, cooling requirements or even thermal expansion between adjoining parts. All of this data can be put to use by making more informed design decisions.

Sigma engineers have years of experience in analyzing fluid flow and heat transfer through complex parts and assemblies. By utilizing powerful CFD software, Sigma can provide quick feedback on proposed designs before reaching the prototype phase.

Learn more about our capabilities by viewing SIGMA’S online brochures.

SIGMA Design Company- Turning Smart Ideas into Product Solutions

In-House Welding Services

Equipped with a 20,000 square-foot assembly and fabrication facility, Sigma offers many in-house services including welding.

Max Perhach, full-time welder at Sigma.

Small parts, machine bases and tubular structures using GTAW, GMAW, brazing, and traditional “stick” welding SMAW are easily handled in our weld shop and machining area. Sigma is ready to provide long-term or short project-based welding support to our clients.

A 304 Stainless Steel Sterilization Rack.

Contact us today and find out how Sigma Design Company can make your product a reality.

Sigma’s Capabilities: 3D Rapid Prototyping

Sigma provides in-house 3D rapid prototyping services for proof of concept review. Our rapid prototyping FDM machines can take your design concepts and grow ABS plastic parts.

This tissue embedder Cryo Unit was designed and fabricated in-house by Sigma.

Used as a quick, proof of concept development tool, parts can be created, manufactured and shipped in two days.

Sigma Design is ready to:

• Take your geometry and produce prototypes.
• Design new geometry and produce prototypes.
• Develop and manufacture prototype devices, specialty production equipment and controls with testing capabilities in-house.

Fast design prototypes can be produced in various finishes and colors including:

• Raw
• Primed
• Rubberized
• Sanded
• Embossed

To learn more about our 3D rapid prototyping services and to submit a 3D CAD drawing and receive a quote, please visit: http://www.sigmadesign.net/3d_rapid.php

Learn more about our capabilities by viewing SIGMA’S online brochures.

SIGMA Design Company- Turning Smart Ideas into Product Solutions 

Sigma is Looking to Grow by Partnering with New Sales Representatives

As we start 2013, Sigma is poised with new in-house capabilities and a tremendous capacity for growth.

For the first time in company history, Sigma is looking to expand our network to partner with new sales representatives.

Sigma has developed target clients by territory and industry plus we maintain a substantial lead generation program. We have invested in new sales tools and collateral material including; clear application data, market pricing, competitive analysis and a comprehensive inside sales support group. Sigma’s website, www.sigmadesign.net, continues to generate leads and it provides detailed information about our products, services and markets served. The website also includes an updated blog containing all of our recent success stories and company news. http://sigmadesignco.wordpress.com/

Opportunities are available for the following territories: New York Metro and Long Island, Connecticut, Southern NJ and Philadelphia, Delaware and Maryland.

We have direct experience in several major market industry segments which include: medical equipment, analytical test equipment, filtration/separation, industrial machinery development, consumer electronic products, marine offshore equipment, alternative energy products and food industry products and systems.

If you or anyone you know would be a good fit for this position, or if you would just like to kick the tires to see if this might be good for you, please contact our President and owner Jerry Lynch direct at gjlynch@sigmadesign.net or 732-629-7555.