Product Design & Development Services in Michigan
You’ve got ideas waiting to move. Deadlines closing in. A team that’s capable but stretched.
We plug in where bandwidth runs out, turning early concepts into production-ready designs.
Our Michigan based engineers work inside your systems using the same CAD platforms and OEM standards you already trust.
From concept sketch to release-ready drawings — faster, compliant, and built by Michigan-based experts.
The Problem
Most engineering teams aren’t short on ideas, they’re short on time.
Design leads juggle concept work, supplier changes, and release deadlines all at once.
When programs pile up, innovation slows and quality starts to bend under pressure.
Off-the-shelf contractors or offshore vendors promise relief, but the reality is often lost files, mismatched formats, and weeks spent re-explaining OEM standards.
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That’s the friction we remove.
How Idea Group Helps
We act as an extension of your engineering team, not a vendor.
Our Michigan-based designers and analysts join your workflow, speak your CAD language, and deliver the work exactly the way your OEM expects it, clean, compliant, and on time.
Work performed in-house under NDA.
Fast onboarding, no translation layer.
Turnkey delivery from concept to release.
When you need capacity without the communication drag, we’re the plug-in partner that keeps the project moving.
Our Process
(Concept → CAD → FEA → Prototype → Release)
Concept & Feasibility
We translate ideas into tangible design intent—defining constraints, materials, and performance targets before modeling begins.
3D CAD Modeling
CATIA, NX, and SolidWorks builds created inside your standards. Every model follows your layer conventions, naming logic, and OEM templates for seamless upload.
Simulation & Validation
Structural, thermal, or fatigue analysis confirms integrity before metal is cut. You see where it breaks—before it ever does.
Prototype & Iteration
Rapid, functional prototypes for fit, feel, and feedback. We shorten loops between idea and proof.
Release & Handoff
Final drawings and data packages delivered ready for PLM or supplier release—fully compliant, traceable, and clean.
When to Outsource vs Keep In-House
Every team hits a ceiling.
Internal staff handle high-value programs, but smaller projects and updates start stacking up.
That backlog burns time, budget, and morale.​​​
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Outsource When:
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Projects require daily physical collaboration or secure hardware access.
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The cost of knowledge transfer outweighs the workload.
Keep It In-House When:
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You’re losing speed because internal bandwidth is maxed.
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You need specialized CAD support without permanent headcount.
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Quality is dropping under deadline pressure.
Most of our clients discover a middle ground: keep strategy internal, let us handle execution.You stay in control of design intent; we handle the grunt work and compliance details that slow your engineers down.
Tools & Capabilities
(CATIA, NX, SolidWorks, FEA, Prototyping)
Our tools match the platforms you already use, so integration is instant and rework disappears.
We operate entirely in-house on secure Michigan servers and maintain licenses for every major OEM environment.
CAD Platforms
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CATIA V5 / V6 – Class-A surfacing, complex assemblies, automotive standards.
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Siemens NX – Advanced modeling, drafting, and simulation within Teamcenter.
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SolidWorks – Rapid concepting, design-for-manufacture, and supplier-ready files.
Prototyping & Testing
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SLA, SLS, and FDM 3D printing for fast functional parts.
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CNC and urethane cast prototypes for form, fit, and finish.
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Assembly testing and fit verification before production.
Analysis & Simulation
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Finite Element Analysis (FEA) for structural, thermal, and vibration.
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Design optimization using real-world constraints and material data.
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Validation reports formatted for internal or OEM review.
Collaboration & Data Security
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Teamcenter and ENOVIA compatible.
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Version-controlled file exchange via secure VPN or encrypted FTP.
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All work performed under signed NDA.
100 % data integrity
across toolchains.
48-hour turnaround for model updates.
25 % average reduction in program cycle time
Industries We Support
(Automotive, Aerospace, Consumer, Lighting)
​Our engineers understand CAD and understand the realities of each industry we serve.
Every sector has its own standards, naming conventions, and pressure points. We’ve lived inside those environments.
Automotive
From interior trim to exterior panels, we design to OEM release standards for GM, Ford, and Stellantis suppliers.
We follow Team center protocols, CAD naming conventions, and tolerance stacks that pass first review.
Aerospace
Lightweight, compliant structures modeled with accuracy and traceability.
Experience with composite assemblies, structural validation, and AS9100-style documentation.
Consumer & Lighting Products
Fast-moving programs where aesthetics meet function.
We build Class-A surfaces, optimize for injection molding, and provide prototypes ready for investor or retail presentation.
Cross-Industry Experience
Because our work crosses markets, we apply best practices from one discipline to another—often improving manufacturability and cost efficiency where competitors can’t see it.
Deliverables & Timeline
(What You Get, When You Get It)
Typical Deliverables
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Parametric 3D CAD models (CATIA, NX, or SolidWorks native files)
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Fully detailed 2D drawings with GD&T
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FEA report with visuals and design recommendations
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Prototype-ready STL or STEP files
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Final release package formatted for Teamcenter or ENOVIA upload
Typical Timelines
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Concept to CAD: 1–2 weeks depending on complexity
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Simulation & Validation: 3–5 days per load case
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Prototype Delivery: 5–10 business days after model approval
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Full Product Development Cycle: typically 4–6 weeks from kickoff
How We Manage It
Every project runs on a gated review schedule—design, validation, prototype, release.That structure keeps quality high and surprises low.
FAQs: Product Development Services
How long does product development take?
Most programs run four to six weeks from kickoff to release, depending on complexity and prototype requirements. We scope every project up front so you know your exact delivery window.
Do you work with startups or only OEM suppliers?
Both. We support large engineering departments under tight timelines and small teams launching their first product. The same process, scaled to fit.
Can you handle only one phase of the process?
Yes. You can engage us for concept modeling, FEA validation, or prototype fabrication individually—or as a full cycle.
What CAD platforms do you use?
CATIA, Siemens NX, and SolidWorks are our primary tools. We also handle data translation between these systems for suppliers working across multiple OEM environments.
How do you protect IP and file security?
All work is performed in-house on secure Michigan servers under signed NDA. We use encrypted file transfer and maintain full revision history for every upload.
What if we already have internal CAD standards?
We follow your templates, naming conventions, and quality gates. Integration is the point—our work slides directly into your release process without cleanup.
Do you provide on-site support?
Yes. Our engineers can embed on-site for critical phases or ongoing projects that need immediate collaboration.
Ready to Start?
Book a 15-Minute Fit Call
You don’t need a long proposal to see if this fits.
A short call is usually enough to outline scope, confirm CAD standards, and set your timeline.
If you’re buried in programs or just need a reliable local partner, our team is ready.
We’ve spent years inside OEM systems and supplier networks—helping teams hit deadlines, reduce rework, and keep design intent intact.
It’s fast: 15 minutes.
It’s simple: share what’s stuck, we’ll tell you what’s next.
It’s secure: NDA-ready, Michigan-based, OEM-compliant.