The Development of the Dynamic Framer: From Idea to Pre-Production

The Initial Problem

It all started when Mr. Rivera, a commercial contractor, had his basement renovated by Mr. Nick, a residential home contractor. During the renovation, their conversation turned to the difficulty of accurately placing wall studs when building the internal frame of a wall. They soon realized that the problem of properly placing wall studs was an industry-wide challenge.

Determined to solve this common issue, they designed a crude prototype using a somewhat flexible material. They brought their starter invention to the Purdue Northwest Commercialization Center (CMEC) to begin the commercialization and prototype refinement process. Shortly afterward, Angela joined CMEC as a Design and Development Technician and inherited the Dynamic Framer’s prototype development. The previous technician had developed a basic 3D model and a rough 3D-printed prototype. From that point on, Angela walked the Dynamic Framer team through a structured Design Roadmap.

Step 1: Concept Development

Angela started by reviewing the current files and prototypes available to her. She also spoke with the Dynamic Framer team to understand what the product was meant to do and to identify the standards it had to meet. Thanks to the extensive construction industry experience of the team, they were very clear and articulate about the product’s functions and requirements. This clarity made the first step smooth, setting the stage for the subsequent phases.

Steps 2 & 3: Design Phase and Development Phase

The overall design had already begun with existing CAD files and prototypes, providing Angela with a foundation to build upon. Her first task in these phases was to identify any issues with the current prototypes. One of the biggest issues she discovered was that a removable portion of the Dynamic Framer was not aligning properly when attached. This misalignment was critical because the component was designed to guide screws into the studs to join them together.

This misalignment could lead to improperly set screws, safety issues, and crooked studs. Angela traced the error to faults within the 3D CAD file used for the initial prototypes. To resolve this, she redesigned the CAD model to fix the alignment problem. Angela then verified her adjustments by printing a small section of the two parts that were needed to connect and test their alignment. Once she confirmed that the alignment was correct, she ensured that other important aspects—such as the product’s overall size, storage capacity, and construction standards—were incorporated into the CAD model. The final step in this phase was to test the CAD model in a real-world setting.

Testing Alignment

Steps 4 & 5: Prototype Testing, and Prototype Upgrading

With a well-constructed Concept Development stage, the refined CAD model moved smoothly into the prototyping phase. This resulted in a fully functional 3D-printed version of the Dynamic Framer. Angela conducted a quick test and inspection to ensure that everything was aligned, that the device guided and set screws properly, and that it placed the next stud accurately.

At this point, Angela made a final addition to improve the product’s functionality—a digital level that attaches to the stud being placed. This digital level ensures that the stud is not crooked before the screws are set, enhancing the overall accuracy and safety of the framing process.

Angela Working on the Dynamic Framer CAD Model

Step 6: Pre-Production

In the final phase, Angela focused on preparing the design for mass production. She optimized the CAD file and parts for the appropriate manufacturing methods and prepared detailed 2D CAD files to aid in mass production and support patent applications. These files, along with the functional prototype, were handed over to the Dynamic Framer team. Angela also provided a recommendation to a manufacturer she met at the Design-2-Part Trade Show.

Since then, the Dynamic Framer team has continued testing their product, applied for and obtained a patent, and entered the final stages of preparing for mass production with their chosen manufacturing partner.

The Final Dynamic Framer Product designed by Angela Perez

Final Thoughts

This comprehensive process—from the initial idea sparked by a conversation between contractors to the meticulous refinement of the prototype—demonstrates the challenges and successes inherent in product development. Angela’s leadership at CMEC, along with the collaborative efforts of the Dynamic Framer team, has transformed a crude concept into a promising, market-ready tool.

If you’re facing similar challenges in product development or have an idea you’d like to bring to life, remember that every great innovation starts with identifying a problem and working through a structured development process. The Dynamic Framer’s journey is a testament to the power of determination, collaboration, and continuous improvement in the construction industry. We hope that when you are ready to bring your idea through the product development process you choose AJ Mechanical Design to bring it to life.