Edge
Online
Edge
Online - Issue XI - May 2000
THIS MONTH'S TOPICS:
1. Customer Spotlight: Irwin Sports
2. News: 3D Systems Featured in April Issue of Modern Mold & Tooling
3. News: ThermoJet Printer Speeds Development Cycles for Alcatel
4. News: 3D Systems Continues to Strengthen Management Team
5. News: 3D Systems Appoints Williams to Vice President of U.S. Sales
6. Events: EXPOMOLDES 2000 and Victoria & Albert Museum
7. Staying in Touch
1. Customer Spotlight: Irwin Sports
Adapted from Design Product News, March 15, 2000
The old-fashioned catcher’s mask that has served many generations of
baseball players is being rapidly supplanted by a helmet design more
familiar to hockey goalies.
The brainchild of the catcher’s helmet is the Design Group at Irwin Sports
in Toronto. Len Clement, director of product development, said that once a
Blue Jay catcher appeared on the diamond with a custom fiberglass-carbon
iber composite helmet worth over $1,000, the time was right to introduce a
version for the masses priced under $100.
Irwin Sports knew it had a successful product in the making from the moment
it showed models-in-progress to sporting goods distributors. According to
Clement, they sold helmets based on prototypes that were created using 3D
Systems’ SLA® system, took orders before the tooling was finished, and even
used the prototype for photography in the product catalog.
Development of helmet prototypes and concepts came with the assistance of
Toronto-based Paradox Design, a product design consulting firm that
specializes in body protective gear. CAD files were created at Paradox from
helmet drawings - that in turn were used to make the SLA system models.
“After two SLA models were built, Steve finished off the model to allow
files to go for final mold drawings and tooling,” explained Clement.
For complete story, see the March 15, 2000, issue of Design Product News, front page.
2. NEWS: 3D Systems Featured in Modern Mold & Tooling
Modern Mold & Tooling’s recent article on eliminating time-consuming steps
in rapid prototyping and tooling featured several 3D Systems products and
materials. The 3D Keltool® process was covered in the article as well as
CIBATOOL® SL 7540 and SL 5530 materials. For more information, pick up the
April 2000 issue of Modern Mold & Tooling.
3. NEWS: ThermoJet™ Printer Speeds Development Cycles for Alcatel
A ThermoJet solid object printer is helping to reduce product development
cycles at UK-based Alcatel. The printer is installed in the design office at
Alcatel’s Greenwich facility, where it is being used by the Submarine
Networks Division to produce 3D output for both design verification and
fit-for-function testing.
In particular, the ThermoJet printer is playing a vital role in the
development of a new “repeater” - a cable apparatus used underwater -
helping Alcatel to reduce time-to-market schedules. Typically, this type of
equipment will have an operational life of up to 25 years submerged on the
sea floor. So, excellence in design is crucial to ensure both performance
and longevity in an environment where maintenance is difficult and costly.
The ThermoJet printer is enabling the design team to quickly and easily
produce full-scale components and physically check their design and fit. In
addition, Alcatel said the solid object printer will make a valuable
contribution in helping them to meet contract deadlines on major projects.
Alcatel said the ThermoJet printer makes it possible for the engineering
team to produce 3D output in a fraction of both the time and cost previously
incurred using external contractors.
For more information on Alcatel, visit
http://www.alcatel.com
4. NEWS: 3D Systems Continues to Strengthen Management Team
5. NEWS: 3D Systems Appoints Williams to Vice President of U.S. Sales
6. Events
EXPOMOLDES 2000 - June 6 - 8
A ThermoJet printer will be on display at this tradeshow, geared towards mold makers.
Victoria & Albert Museum - June 12 - Oct 1
3D Systems’ ThermoJet printer will be featured in an art show by Ron Arad,
world-renowned leader in furniture/product design.
7. Staying in Touch
Feedback and suggestions specifically related to the Edge Online newsletter
can be submitted to .
3D Systems, Inc.
26081 Avenue Hall
Valencia, California 91355-1241
USA
Phone: 661.295.5600 ext. 2882
Toll free: 888.337.9786
Fax: 661.294.8406
http://www.3dsystems.com
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