Paul P.
Senior Mechanical Design & Manufacturing Specialist
Centurion,
South Africa
Global rank:
19,338
/
143,684
Skill pts: 5
About
I am a senior mechanical design and manufacturing specialist with more than 35 years of practical experience across tooling, plastics, machining, fabrication and automotive engineering.
My strength is not only producing 3D CAD models. I combine advanced SolidWorks design capability with hands-on manufacturing knowledge to develop practical, production-ready components and assemblies.
I can assist clients from initial concept, sketches or existing components through to detailed 3D models, assemblies and manufacturing documentation.
My experience includes:
• SolidWorks 3D part and assembly modelling
• Mechanical design and product development
• Automotive components and assemblies
• Fabricated structures and weldments
• Sheet-metal design
• CNC-machined components
• Injection mould tooling and plastic components
• Tool, die, jig and fixture design
• Reverse engineering
• Design for Manufacture (DFM)
• Production and fabrication drawings
• BOM creation
• STEP, DXF and manufacturing file preparation
• Existing design improvement and optimisation
I have extensive practical manufacturing experience and understand the importance of tolerances, material selection, welding, machining, bending, assembly access, tooling requirements and production cost.
My objective is to create designs that are not only correct in CAD, but practical and efficient to manufacture.
... more »
« less
My strength is not only producing 3D CAD models. I combine advanced SolidWorks design capability with hands-on manufacturing knowledge to develop practical, production-ready components and assemblies.
I can assist clients from initial concept, sketches or existing components through to detailed 3D models, assemblies and manufacturing documentation.
My experience includes:
• SolidWorks 3D part and assembly modelling
• Mechanical design and product development
• Automotive components and assemblies
• Fabricated structures and weldments
• Sheet-metal design
• CNC-machined components
• Injection mould tooling and plastic components
• Tool, die, jig and fixture design
• Reverse engineering
• Design for Manufacture (DFM)
• Production and fabrication drawings
• BOM creation
• STEP, DXF and manufacturing file preparation
• Existing design improvement and optimisation
I have extensive practical manufacturing experience and understand the importance of tolerances, material selection, welding, machining, bending, assembly access, tooling requirements and production cost.
My objective is to create designs that are not only correct in CAD, but practical and efficient to manufacture.
Experience
-
Mechanical Designer / Lead CAD Designer – Electric Vehicle Development
Thula Solutions · Full-time
Oct 2023 –
Present
2 yrs 10 mos
South Africa
Full vehicle CAD development
EV drivetrain integration
Chassis/subframe design
Suspension component integration
Fabricated assemblies
Sheet-metal components
Manufacturing drawings
Supplier component integration
Large SolidWorks assemblies
Design for production
BOMs and engineering documentation -
Tool and die maker
Calibre Plastics · Full-time
Jan 2001 –
Present
25 yrs 7 mos
South Africa
### Tool & Die Maker / Toolmaker
**Calibre Plastics**
Qualified Tool & Die Maker with extensive hands-on experience in precision manufacturing and injection mould tooling.
Key experience includes:
* Injection mould design and manufacture
* Precision machining and fitting
* CNC milling and programming
* Toolroom manufacturing
* Mould assembly, fitting and commissioning
* Machined components and tooling
* Manufacturing tolerances and fits
* Component manufacturability
* Problem solving and tool modification
* Production support and tooling improvements
This practical toolmaking background provides a strong foundation for designing components that are realistic, economical and practical to manufacture. -
Contract Design Engineer
Drayke Design · Self-employed
Jan 2001 –
Present
25 yrs 7 mos
South Africa
▸ Ran an independent design consultancy for 14 years, serving a diverse client base.
▸ Designed plastic products, injection moulds and blow moulds.
▸ Produced manufacturing drawings for water treatment plants.
▸ Created factory layouts and workflow improvement plans for various businesses.
▸ 3D modelling and redesign of machinery for a sweet factory, including a deposit head redesign.
▸ Packaging design for PET sweet jars.
▸ CNC programming for multiple tool rooms.
▸ Managed end-to-end projects across multiple industries
Education
- Roodepoort Technical College N5 Mechanical engineering, Mechanica Engineering, N5 1992 – 1993
Stats
0 followers, 0 following
Joined: August 21, 2026
Last seen: August 21, 2026
Area of Expertise
Automotive Design
3D Modeling
Mechanical Drafting
Packaging Design
Concept Design
Mechanical Engineering
3D Design Services
SolidWorks Design Services
3D Solid Modeling
3D Models of Machine Parts
Design Engineering Services
Assembly Modeling Services
Prototype Design Engineering
Contract Drafting Services
Mechanical Design Services
Mechanical CAD Design
3D Product Modeling
Packaging Concept Design
Mechanical Drawing Services
Languages
English Professional working proficiency
Location
Centurion, South Africa