The engineering team at Ballard collaborated with Advanta to create a compelling visual design for their new family of hydrogen fuel cell, the FCmove®-HD+. The new design had to work in both roof-top and engine-bay configurations, be sturdy enough to be walked on, and survive the harsh operating conditions of trucks an busses. Advanta led product strategy sessions with Ballard engineering and marketing to help determine what an appropriate visual for the new product was.

The engine bay fuel cell is about the same size as a typical diesel engine, but the technology is different. What should it look like? Using keywords and moodboards, Advanta helped position options for the novel concept directions. This collaboration continued past the visual design development. Advanta met weekly with Ballard's engineering team. They managed the master model for all internal and frame components, while Advanta provided design intent input for all external surfaces and detail design for cast and moulded parts.

Ballard let us analyze their product architecture using "intelligent ignorance," leveraging Advanta’s broad expertise rather than specific knowledge related to a client’s internal proficiencies. This approach merges Advanta’s experience with respect for client achievements, sparking unconventional ideas. High project demands can cause tunnel vision, relying on past methods. We acts as a catalyst, offering new perspectives and options that encourage our engineering teams and clients to explore new possibilities. We may not always generate new ideas, but we inspires fresh solutions.

We often introduce new production methods. For the FCmove®-HD+, aluminum plates were replaced with vacuum sand cast parts. The cast pieces offer superior surface finish and dimensional precision. Their paintability offers better consistency over anodizing. The 3D nature of the process permits robust, ribbed parts, and design freedom. To expedite pre-production testing, Advanta designed fiberglass hose covers and managed a vendor to provide parts. The production units are made in RIM. Two production processes provided speed for pre-production units, and cost savings for the long-term.

Preparing marketing material ahead of the launch, Ballard urgently needed a full-scale, life-like prototype. It didn’t need to work, but Ballard required a unit that looked like a finished product. We partnered with a trusted vendor in Quebec City, using wood, CNC machining, and 3D printing to create a realistic model. This prototype, devoid of functional features, closely resembled the final product. It allowed Ballard to showcase the product through images and videos, bypassing the wait for actual parts. These prototypes offered valuable insights into the product's appearance, size, and personality.

As a manufacturing company with meticulous quality control, Ballard, like any other producer of high-end products, takes time to ensure every vendor goes through a thorough evaluation before utilizing them. During a product development process this rigor can elongate timeframes. To speed things up, Advanta was able to step in and directly manage a new vendor for tooling and the provision of parts, permitting the engineering team to evaluate pre-production units more quickly. It allowed their procurement team the time to vet the vendor so that future production orders could be handled directly by Ballard.

With our resources, software, and talented staff, we can create compelling presentation videos for diverse purposes. Promotional materials, trade shows, product launches, or training sessions, can all benefit from scale prototypes or renderings. Whether you desire a visually stunning narrative or an informative piece with text and visual cues, our team of animators and graphic designers is ready to collaborate closely with you. We ensure the delivery of a message that mirrors your vision accurately and builds excitement for your latest market offering.