Dimension SST 3D Printer Empowers M3 Design
Founded in 1996, M3 Design is a multi-disciplinary product development team that creates breakthrough products for the global market. M3 develops new products for consumer electronic, consumer product, medical, machine design and network device companies including Microsoft, PetSafe, AMD, Litrex and Dell.
“We needed a solution that would be a natural fit in our design process, allowing us to make as many iterations as we needed to achieve the high level of innovation and creativity we are known for.”
— Walt Carver, Mechanical Engineering Manager, M3.
— Walt Carver, Mechanical Engineering Manager, M3.
numerous concepts and ideas. The design team approaches each unique development challenge from every possible angle, and makes numerous iterations to improve the product's aesthetics and functionality.
For years, the M3 design team used outside rapid prototyping service providers to create physical models of their design concepts. While the purchase of the Dimension
For years, the M3 design team used outside rapid prototyping service providers to create physical models of their design concepts. While the purchase of the Dimension
The Dimension Solution
The owner of M3 Design had seen a rapid prototyping machine at a client facility, and grew interested in learning how he could leverage the technology for his own business. After investigating several different 3D printer providers, M3 selected the Dimension® SST 3D Printer.
"What drove us to Dimension was the ABS plastic material used to create the 3D models," said Carver. “We can sand, cut, paint and glue our models.”
The team estimates the printer will pay for itself in the next several months, but what can't be measured is the value of the ability to rapidly iterate designs throughout the development process.
"What drove us to Dimension was the ABS plastic material used to create the 3D models," said Carver. “We can sand, cut, paint and glue our models.”
The team estimates the printer will pay for itself in the next several months, but what can't be measured is the value of the ability to rapidly iterate designs throughout the development process.
Wood Group Pressure Control Streamlines Sales Process
Wood Group Pressure Control (WGPC), a subsidiary of John Wood Group PLC of Aberdeen, Scotland, is a market leader in the manufacture of surface wellhead equipment and gate valves for the oil and gas industry. WGPC employs more than 800 people, has 40 offices worldwide and manufactures equipment at five facilities on four continents.
“Pictures and sales collateral don’t always communicate the intricates of a product. Tangible objects, like the models created from the Dimension 3D Printer, make all the difference in the world.”
— Mat Trumbull, Product Engineer, Wood Group Pressure Control
— Mat Trumbull, Product Engineer, Wood Group Pressure Control
WGPC’s sales force regularly has relied on 2D drawings to communicate how products work in a real-world environment because the large size of the components make it impossible to present the customer with product samples. Despite the sales force’s diligent attempts to prepare for all contingencies, customers often have questions that can’t be answered by looking at a 2D drawing.
specific customer needs,” said Linda Knight, Marketing Manager for WGPC. “The plastic models are also very light weight compared to the aluminum models, which makes them easier to handle and less expensive to ship.
In a matter of months, Dimension BST paid for itself. By making models in house, WGPC can now create more models at a fraction of the price.
In a matter of months, Dimension BST paid for itself. By making models in house, WGPC can now create more models at a fraction of the price.
thousands of dollars and taken much longer using outside service providers and less advanced technology. “By reducing the cost of making the models, we have the flexibility to create larger quantities and more varieties for use by the sales force, as well as smaller, single-purpose models for very
Exploring and Communicating Designs
The company’s internal design team is driven by M3’s philosophy and methodology, which fosters an environment where the team is empowered to explore
significantly reduced rapid prototyping costs, the greatest benefit was the ability to have 3D hard models in hand within hours, rather than days.
In our business, the ability to generate a range of concepts and solutions to address our clients' product development needs is what separates us from other design firms in the industry.
— Jeff Mulhausen, industrial design director for M3
— Jeff Mulhausen, industrial design director for M3
The Dimension Solution
Wood Group turned to the Dimension BST® 3D Printer to help solve its product model issues. The Dimension BST is a networked, desktop modeling system that builds functional 3D models with ABS plastic from the bottom up, one layer at a time. In less than three months, Wood Group was able to develop functional models in-house for more than 100 components, a feat that would have cost
An essential tool for everyone on the design team.
Dimension 3D printing can help you quickly fine tune designs and cut weeks — even months — from your development schedule. Now you can test form, fit and function and explore as many design iterations as you like — over your network, right from your desktop.
Tekpro Provide Solutions That:
REDUCE
TIme to Market
LOWER
Product Development Costs
Manufacturing Costs
LOWER
Make It Happen
RP & Mfg. Equipment
3D Printer SUCCESS
