Success14

Banks Engineering - Design Flows with Dimension

"We were the first company in Switzerland to have a machine like this. We wanted to build our models quickly and easily, and we chose a Dimension 3D printer because it met all our expectations and lay within the price range we had set for ourselves." — Christian Jarisch, Engineer with Nestlé Nespresso

Panavise Holds Their Own with Dimension

SEMA Mfgrs. Speed Time to Market

"We have been using Tekpro Dimension 3D Printers for over 3 years, and I can't imagine doing development without them, " says Matt Quinn, Lead Design Engineer. "We rapidly go from desing to prototype within the same room. We use the prototypes to check not just fit, but also flow performance on the bench and in the vehicle."

Established in 1958, Gale Banks Engineering is a leading producer of power, braking and high performance products for diesel and gas powered pickups, SUV's, motor homes and Jeeps. From designing, engineering and manufacturing to prototyping, testing and setting world-speed records, Banks does it all.

Banks power have been using Tekpro Dimension Printers for over 3 years. Their printers have accelerated their speed to market and the level at which they are able to refine the performance, fit and appearance of each product through quick design and prototype interations.

PanaVise is a company with history, starting out 50 years ago making work holding devices that could tilt and rotate. Seeing the need for their vises to hold other objects, PanaVise expanded their product line to build mounts to hold cell phones, satellite radios, GPS and mobile computers in vehicles.

Panavise builds custom mounting solutions for companies like Sirius, XM, Cobra, Sanyo, Kenwood and others. In the past as they created a custom mount they would send out to have the mount prototyped in order to evaluate. This was very costly and time consuming. After purchasing a Dimension 3D Printer, they have had instant access to prototypes. This has decreased the product time to market, and has given PanaVise the opportunity to analyze several different options on the same product.

"We now produce prototypes at several stages of our design instead of waiting until the end, " says Bruce Richter, Director of OEM Sales at PanaVise. "This allows us to mak adjustments earlier in our process, and assures that the final product will be exactly what we need."

S&B Filters is the leading manufacturer of high performance air filters and unique cold air intake kits. The Tekpro Dimension 3D Printer has proven itself to be a vital tool in their reseach & development department since early 2006. With the help of SolidWorks, a laser CMM machine and the 3D printer, S&B Filters now has the capability to design and test a product that basically installs itself and performs as expected before they ever begin the tooling process.

Dimension Cuts Development Time at S&B Filters

"Our Tekpro Dimension 3D Printer has allowed us to dramatically cut our development time and engineer a product that is on an entirely different level than our competition. We use BOTH of our 3D Printers to build fully functional, 1:1 scale prototypes for testing in our ISO 5011 lab and on actual vehicle applications. Our 3D Printer provides us with the ability to check our designs for proper fit and that they operate as expected before we spend a dime on tooling. All of this couldn't happen without our Tekpro Dimension 3D Printer, and I couldn't imagine life without one." Jay Crouch, Sales & Marketing S&B Filters.

Scott Drake is the world's largest manufacturer of reproduction parts for classic Mustangs. 25 years of dedication and passion for the Mustang still drives Scott Drake to constantly expand their capabilities to make the best fitting, functioning, and quality parts available on the market.

Scott Drake has enhanced engineering capabilities with the addition of a Tekpro Dimension 3D Printer. In conjunction with SolidWorks and a CMM, they are now able to create mock-up-protoypes in days compared to what use to take weeks or even months to complete. In addition to the quick turnaround time they have been able to make necessary changes to the design in order to perfect it before going to manufacturing. The ability to fin-tune a product to exact fit and function without the excessive costs of machine shop prototypes is a key to the sccess of Scott Drake. Overall, efficiency and quality have increased with the use of the 3D Printer.

Telling how one new product for SEMA was developed, Wagner adds, "One example is the shifter assembly we developed for Shelby Performance Parts. We printed each individual component of the assembly and used actual hardware, springs, etc. The next step was to mock up the shifter into a car for fit and run through the gears for function. Within a few months the product was ready for manufacturing." Another strategy used by Scott Drake, is gluing sections together to make a large model such as a strut lower brace. With tight clearances to the engine and hood, accuracy is very critical for packaging and prevention of making incorrect tooling dies.

Dimension Helps Scott Drake/Shelby Performance Shift Gears

"Since the parts are constructed of ABS plastic, we have been creating assemblies that can be tapped and screwed together," said Shane Wagner, R&D Engineer at Scott Drake.

Spectre Performance designs and manufactures innovative performance products for a variety of applications. Currently Spectre is directing most of their focus toward making technological strides in the air induction sector of the automotive industry.

Dimension Increases Quality at Spectre Performance

"Our Tekpro Dimension Printer has allowed us to quickly see the impact of design changes, allowing us to design higher quality parts before starting production," says Pilun Chen, Design Engineer. "the Dimension has also increased R&D efficiency by shortening the design time, and consequently, shortening time to market. In some cases, the Dimension has allowed us to test numerous design concepts early in the design process to empirically determine the best design, whereas traditionally a concept must be chosen and developed before prototyping. The Dimension Printer allows us to focus only on the best ideas, without wasting time on inferior concepts," adds Chen.

At SEMA, one product that was on display where Tekpro Dimension prototypes were used, is the new Low-Profile Plenum for use with carburated and TBI equiped vehicles.

United Pacific is the leader in aftermarket heavy duty trucking accessories. With over 30 years experience in the heavy duty trucking industry, United Pacific understands the rigors that products are subjected to on the road. In 2004, United Pacific started manufacturing LED lights, which are highly desired for safety because they are a brighter, more intense light output. These LED lights are aimed at the Vintage Automotive restoration market.

At SEMA, United Pacific introduced a new tail light assembly for the 1984-1990 Corvette. Models created on the Tekpro Dimension 3D Printer were crucial to the success of the project, allowing their designers to check for LED layout and lens design. The prototype was also used to ensure that the housing fit properly in the vehicle.

United Pacific Uses Dimension to Shorten Time to Market

"With the help of the Tekpro Dimension printer, our design engineers can shorten our concept-to-shelf time to less than 6 months. The printer permits our designers to have physical models of the design concepts in hours," says Jeff Lee, Marketing Manager for United Pacific. "The physical models allow our designs and marketing staff to evaluate and test the viability of different design ideas. The printer allows us to compress design cycles, improve manufacturing
planning, shorten concept-to-shelf time, and most importantly, generate new and innovative products."

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