Kate V.
Mechanical engineering professional - Solidworks
Cape Town,
South Africa
Global rank:
35,890
/
154,295
Skill pts: 5
3D Printing Design
Design for Manufacturing
Illustrated Parts Catalogs
PTC Arbortext IsoDraw Used in-house at FLSmidth 2024–2026 – no own licence
SolidWorks
About
I’m a mechanical design engineer who has designed and documented products on the factory floor, in prototype workshops and at a global mining OEM.
For nearly ten years I’ve worked in SolidWorks on very different kinds of product: heavy-duty trailers, wood, steel and aluminium consumer products, prototype machinery, and mining equipment. Each role gave me a different skill, and together they’re the reason I work the way I do. I design for the people who have to build it, assemble it and maintain it, not only for the screen.
What I bring to your project
Mining and heavy equipment (FLSmidth Mining Solutions). I built interactive illustrated parts catalogues in LinkOne and drew 3D exploded views from engineering drawings for Gyratory and Jaw Crushers, HPGRs, Mills, Screens, Thickeners, Stackers, Skids and Wash filters. That included Hydraulic and Lubrication layouts. When OEMs wouldn’t share data, I redesigned the components myself such as Gearboxes with Simulation.
Prototyping and product development. I took concepts through to physical prototypes, testing and redesign, including a custom power generator with a custom gantry. The work covered stainless sheet metal, weldments, surfacing, 3D printing and CNC parts, GD&T (ASME Y14.5), DFM/DFA, tolerance analysis, FEA, BOMs and ECOs. I also managed and co-ordinated the projects alongside the electrical and software engineers.
Manufacturing. I designed products in wood, steel and aluminium and produced full manufacturing drawing packs, part specs, production orders and assembly manuals. I also drew factory layouts, designed jigs and 3D-printed patterns for spin casting, and supported production on site.
Vehicles and trailers. I designed heavy-duty livestock trailers from concept through to full homologation, including variants, job card packs and vehicle registration documents.
Deliverables you can expect
3D models and assemblies · manufacturing drawings to standard · sheet metal and weldment drawings · BOMs and revision control · exploded views, parts catalogues and step-by-step assembly instructions · motion and interference checks · designs built from your sketches, photos or measurements · 3D-print-ready parts and jigs.
Software and certification
Solidworks is the Software I work with online.
I used SolidWorks, IsoDraw, LinkOne and 3DEXPERIENCE/Enovia with PDM. I hold 9 SolidWorks certifications: Essentials, Advanced Part, Assembly, Drawings, Sheet Metal, Weldments, Surfacing, MBD and PDM. I can import your AutoCAD or Inventor files, work on them, and deliver files that open directly in AutoCAD or Inventor. Not just AutoCAD, but all the file formats Solidworks can Import and Export.
Why work with me
Most designers know one industry. I’ve worked in mining, manufacturing, prototyping and vehicles, so I can see a problem from every side - providing Reports to back my findings to check whether a part can be made, whether the drawing will be read correctly on the shop floor, and whether someone can order the spare five years from now. You get clear, complete, build-ready work, and I’ll talk you through it plainly at every step.
Based in Cape Town, South Africa · English and Afrikaans · open to one-off projects and long-term work.
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For nearly ten years I’ve worked in SolidWorks on very different kinds of product: heavy-duty trailers, wood, steel and aluminium consumer products, prototype machinery, and mining equipment. Each role gave me a different skill, and together they’re the reason I work the way I do. I design for the people who have to build it, assemble it and maintain it, not only for the screen.
What I bring to your project
Mining and heavy equipment (FLSmidth Mining Solutions). I built interactive illustrated parts catalogues in LinkOne and drew 3D exploded views from engineering drawings for Gyratory and Jaw Crushers, HPGRs, Mills, Screens, Thickeners, Stackers, Skids and Wash filters. That included Hydraulic and Lubrication layouts. When OEMs wouldn’t share data, I redesigned the components myself such as Gearboxes with Simulation.
Prototyping and product development. I took concepts through to physical prototypes, testing and redesign, including a custom power generator with a custom gantry. The work covered stainless sheet metal, weldments, surfacing, 3D printing and CNC parts, GD&T (ASME Y14.5), DFM/DFA, tolerance analysis, FEA, BOMs and ECOs. I also managed and co-ordinated the projects alongside the electrical and software engineers.
Manufacturing. I designed products in wood, steel and aluminium and produced full manufacturing drawing packs, part specs, production orders and assembly manuals. I also drew factory layouts, designed jigs and 3D-printed patterns for spin casting, and supported production on site.
Vehicles and trailers. I designed heavy-duty livestock trailers from concept through to full homologation, including variants, job card packs and vehicle registration documents.
Deliverables you can expect
3D models and assemblies · manufacturing drawings to standard · sheet metal and weldment drawings · BOMs and revision control · exploded views, parts catalogues and step-by-step assembly instructions · motion and interference checks · designs built from your sketches, photos or measurements · 3D-print-ready parts and jigs.
Software and certification
Solidworks is the Software I work with online.
I used SolidWorks, IsoDraw, LinkOne and 3DEXPERIENCE/Enovia with PDM. I hold 9 SolidWorks certifications: Essentials, Advanced Part, Assembly, Drawings, Sheet Metal, Weldments, Surfacing, MBD and PDM. I can import your AutoCAD or Inventor files, work on them, and deliver files that open directly in AutoCAD or Inventor. Not just AutoCAD, but all the file formats Solidworks can Import and Export.
Why work with me
Most designers know one industry. I’ve worked in mining, manufacturing, prototyping and vehicles, so I can see a problem from every side - providing Reports to back my findings to check whether a part can be made, whether the drawing will be read correctly on the shop floor, and whether someone can order the spare five years from now. You get clear, complete, build-ready work, and I’ll talk you through it plainly at every step.
Based in Cape Town, South Africa · English and Afrikaans · open to one-off projects and long-term work.
Experience
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Design Engineer / LinkOne Software IPC Compiler
FLSmidth Mining Solutions · Contract
Jul 2024 –
Jul 2026
2 yrs
Chloorkop, Edenvale, South Africa
Gyratory Crushers, Wash Filters, HPGR's, Screeners, Flotation, Mills - Sag/Ball, Grizzly's, Thickeners, Jaw Crushers etc.
To enable a Compiler to create an interactive and accurate Catalogue one must be proficient in various Programs and Designing Tools, such as the LinkOne Program Itself, know where to access the Projects (Enovia 3D Experience), Solidworks, AutoCAD, Isodraw, Inventor and Excel. Have extensive Engineering knowledge to design 3D Exploded views from Engineering Drawings for Parts Annotation to order Spares, which includes Hydraulic and Lubrication Layout Systems. (ECI). Many Manufacturers don't want to share their information we then redesign to enable exploded view’s part annotation for identifying Seals Kits etc. LinkOne is commonly used to manage hydraulic system components and lubrication information in a structured, visual, and searchable format. This is critical for maintenance, service, and spare-parts accuracy. -
Prototype Engineer, Project Manager & Co-ordinator
Alphatech Engineering Pty (Ltd) · Full-time
Jan 2022 –
May 2024
2 yrs 4 mos
Cape Town, South Africa
Main Responsibilities: Designing initial product concepts. Building physical or digital prototypes. Testing functionality and performance Improving designs based on feedback. Working with CAD software and manufacturing tools. Collaborating with mechanical, electrical, or software engineers.
Typical Tools & Skills: CAD software (e.g., SolidWorks, AutoCAD)3D printing and CNC machining. Materials knowledge. Mechanical design Rapid prototyping methods. Testing and validation.
Sheet Metal - Material: Stainless Steel
SolidWorks (Parts, Assemblies, Drawings, Configurations)
Sheet Metal, Weldments, Surfacing
GD&T (ASME Y14.5)
DFM/DFA & Tolerance Analysis
Mechanical Drafting & Detailing
BOM Creation & ECO/ECN
FEA and Simulation -
Product & Mechanical Design Engineer
Raiël Pty (Ltd) · Full-time
May 2018 –
Dec 2021
3 yrs 7 mos
Malmesbury, South Africa
Produce efficient designs within the framework of simplicity,
feasibility, cost efficiency and accuracy.
Compile assemblies and detailed manufacturing
drawings in accordance with acknowledged manufacturing
standards.
Compile part specifications, BOM's, production orders and
manuals.
Implement engineering change proposals (ECP's) on designs.
Issue revisions and update the manufacturing drawings,
material lists and machine manuals.
Lay-out drawings of manufacturing area.
Jig Design and Drafting for 3D Printing for Spin Casting, PLA and
Resin.
Provide technical support during manufacturing processes and
for technicians on-site, as well as special requests from Reps -
Design & Development Engineer
Ramkat Custom Trailers · Full-time
Jun 2017 –
May 2018
11 mos
Cape Town, South Africa
Production Design / Custom Trailers
• Engineering Drawings and Technical Specifications for all products the Company develops and/or manufactures.
• Develop a full Bill of Materials for all products.
• Prepare Job Card Packs, which includes drawings, process descriptions and Bill of Materials.
• Product Manage product development, from concept to full homologation, inclusive of variations. Provide support to the vehicle registration function from a documentation standpoint.
• Provide support to the manufacturing team in terms of technical guidance and Quality Assurance.
• It is an expectation of this position to stay abreast of the latest technology and development in the field of heavy-duty trailer design, custom manufacturing processes and world trends.
Verified info
- Email address
Stats
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Joined: November 1, 2026
Last seen: November 1, 2026
Area of Expertise
Mechanical Engineering
Furniture Design
Tutoring
Prototype Design Services
Reverse Engineering
FEA Finite Element Analysis
SolidWorks Design Services
Fabrication Drawings Services
SolidWorks Engineering Services
3D Models of Machine Parts
Design Engineering Services
Assembly Drawing Services
Assembly Modeling Services
Prototype Design Engineering
Machine Drawing Services
Mechanical Design Services
Mechanical CAD Design
3D Product Modeling
2D to 3D Modeling
Design for Manufacturing and Assembly
Languages
English Full professional proficiency
Location
Cape Town, South Africa