Rich Collings

Responsible for all aspects of product design from concept generation, visualisation and prototyping through to production. Lead mechanical engineer on multiple high value projects, working with all areas of the wider program team such as procurement, quality, electrical/ PCB engineers along with regular face to face meetings with suppliers and clients both in the UK and overseas. These projects have spanned Land & Naval as well as Airborne & Space requiring adherence to the strictest of standards including DO-160G and MIL STD 810G. Some of my more recent roles have been to perform in depth analysis of high profile project failures in the wider group and provide engineering solutions. These projects have required a quick turnaround from initial failure reporting to a productionised solution within exceptionally short time frames, involving daily communication to the supporting project team and clients.

Mechanical Design Engineer at Indesit. Responsible for new product development as well as production support and the continuous improvement/cost reduction of the current product range. Working closely with suppliers, manufacturers and colleagues both in the UK and overseas from concept through to mass production.
Undertook initial FMEAs, through to finite element analysis, prototyping, reliability testing, FAIs and line trials to get final approval and sign off. This analysis was essential due to the high volume and high performance requirements of the product range.
Developed existing knowledge of manufacturing processes to include manufacturing with metals using various processes such as press forming, milling and welded fabrication.

Initially tasked with re-designing the core range of products to reduce the company's environmental impact through design and processing control. This role includes liaising with tool makers and automation specialists on a regular basis, overseeing all aspects of each project from costing to manufacture as well as attending tooling trials overseas. More recently headed up Phineas Design. This is a subsidiary which specialises in product design and development of plastic moulded parts. These have included commercial detergent dispensers, children's cups, DIY equipment and underfloor heating systems.

During this employment my time was divided between living in the UK and China. Whilst living and working in China, I was responsible for the design, development and manufacture of over 20 projects. Tasked with ensuring smooth work flow and establishing a high quality inspection and control level within several factories. These factories were based in Ningbo, Cixi, Shenzhen, Ninghi and Pinghu. Projects ranged from large industrial heaters through to thermometers, men's razors and children's toys. During this time I gained a firm understanding of moulding methods including single shot, twin shot (indexing plate and rotating bed machines), 2-shot over moulding and blow moulding. The machines used ranged from 150 to 1000 ton horizontal and vertical press.

Employed at Glenelg for eight months working on various projects ranging from exhibition display systems, GHD hair straighteners/dryers to high pressure drinks containers. During my employment I was head hunted to return to Violto / Centreline Design.

2010 Three years working within a small design team. Work involved taking charge of several projects from conceptualising to manufacture. The projects included educational furniture, Lapcabby (a laptop storage and transportation unit), industrial heaters, various baby bottles, pacifier holders, fold away knives and key hole surgery equipment.