Rick Cronk M.A.(Cantab), C.Eng, F.I.Mech.E,

I am a freelance mechanical engineer, analyst and innovator, multi skilled but specialising in the activities shown below.
I'd be very happy to elaborate on anything mentioned here or to discuss any new opportunities. I don't charge for any initial discussions and am very happy to share my 'Technology Portfolio' of experiences (both good and bad!!).

Design Engineering

I have a particularly colourful CV after 30+ years involvement in product design and engineering projects with over 50 companies from a wide spectrum of industries.

I find this diverse experience often enables me to contribute valuable hindsight and innovative original ideas to solve new challenges. Your commitment to this could be as little as a few hours of my time.

Add in very good CAD skills with software you may have or which I can provide including Creo, Inventor, Fusion360 & Spaceclaim and if required I can capture detail in robust 3D models and high quality 2D drawings as deliverables.

Design Review & Simulation

As a fresh pair of eyes commissioned to peer review designs, I have surprisingly often spotted unforeseen problems in CAD concepts long before physical prototypes were built or tested. Importantly I've usually been able to suggest solutions.

This process can involve analysis using the Ansys suite of software including multi body dynamics (Motion) and structural/thermal FEA (Mechanical) analyses, softwares that I license from Wilde Analysis. These are able to simulate entire mechanical systems just as well as individual parts. My deliverable can be brief advice through to full reporting but either typically identify any strength, fatigue, stiffness, vibration or motion problems, and include suggested design changes to solve these. Analysis also enables design optimisation to, for example, reduce mass or cost.

Intellectual Property

I have been involved with the UK Government's PatentBox scheme since it's creation in 2013. This scheme can allow companies to reduce their corporation tax from 25% to 10% for products incorporating a patent.

I typically help companies generate new IP which may be patentable, or alternatively I help identify potentially qualifying IP in work already completed.

Applying for a suitable patent need not be expensive and anyone in the UK who currently claims R &D tax relief is probably doing almost everything needed to also claim PatentBox.
I can offer you pragmatic advice on this subject and if required recommend relevant IP or accounting professionals who can help you realize this benefit.