A celebration of ProductWorks
Last month, the Southern Virginia Higher Education Center held a virtual ribbon cutting to formally launch ProductWorks — Virginia’s only single source location for product design and development services. Formerly known as the SVHEC R&D Center for Advanced Manufacturing & Energy Efficiency, ProductWorks was established in 2010 by a grant from the Tobacco Region Revitalization Commission. Today, ProductWorks is home to $5.5 million in hardware and software assets, and works with entrepreneurs, small businesses and large manufacturers to energize their growth and help them produce products.
Train observatory
A NEW WAY TO OBSERVE
When a group of architecture students at Virginia Tech needed to bring a design to life, they turned to ProductWorks. Led by Professor Kay Edge, Virginia Tech College of Architecture & Design students designed a train-viewing platform for the city of Radford using Cross Laminated Timbers or CLTs, a sustainable building material that has been used for many years in Europe and Canada, but not as much in the United States. ProductWorks was tasked with producing and pressing CLTs using southern yellow poplar to create The New River Train Observatory, which now provides an attractive, sustainable observation deck along the banks of the New River in Radford.
Aerosol boxes
COVID-19 CARE
When South Boston urologist (Urology of Virginia) and Chief of Surgery (Sentara Halifax Regional Hospital), Dr. Christi Hughart, learned of aerosol boxes being used to protect health care workers caring for COVID-19 patients, she knew she had to make these available in Halifax County. ProductWorks stepped up to assist. Using online images of the aerosol box, ProductWorks staff created a computer aided design (CAD) file, wrote the program to machine the parts, and assembled the components into a finished product. Eleven aerosol boxes were produced and distributed to regional healthcare providers and rescue squads.
Blind Stapler
A DESIGN REDEFINED
When divine inspiration provided Stewart Topp with the idea for a new tool with the potential to revolutionize the cabinet making industry, he drew a rough sketch of the idea. He brought that sketch to ProductWorks, who worked with him to refine the design, develop a prototype, and manufacture small runs of the tool. Topp was able to use information derived from the prototype to apply for a patent from the U.S. Patent Office, and today sells the “Blind Stapler Tool” across the United States and into Canada.
Keller America
3-D drawings
In 2017, Newport-News based multi-national corporation Keller America contracted with ProductWorks to produce 1,000 custom parts for the company. ProductWorks uses an extensive prototyping and testing process, that includes creating realistic 3-D drawings, to ensure each machined part will meet exacting standards.
Steinway pianos
CREATING PIANO PERFECTION
When world renowned piano craftsman Steinway & Sons had trouble programming their new Computer Numerical Controlled (CNC) routers, they turned to ProductWorks. Leveraging its advanced abilities in Computer Aided Design/Computer Aided Machining (CAD/CAM), ProductWorks programmed the new Computer Numerical Controlled (CNC) routers, and completed the post-foundry process machining on several of Steinway’s grand and upright piano frames. This allowed Steinway to increase piano production, increase sales, upgrade machinery, implement more modern manufacturing techniques, and better function within the world of digital manufacturing.
VIR Trophy
CRAFTING A TROPHY
When VIRginia International Raceway wanted a unique trophy that drivers would covet, they came to ProductWorks. Staff at ProductWorks collaborated with VIR to design and manufacture a custom trophy that features VIR’s iconic track. “This is a trophy the drivers actually want to win, and we’re very proud ProductWorks came up with it for us” said Connie Nyholm, VIR Owner and CEO.
ProductWorks
ProductWorks is the Commonwealth’s only single-source location for product design & development services.
ProductWorks
ProductWorks is the Commonwealth’s only single-source location for product design & development services.