All posts tagged: global

Let me give you a hand with that prototype

Realize, Inc. Robotic Hand Project

Custom Entertainment Solutions needed a hand with a recent project. The Realize team was excited to be their partner in this venture. Brian Cazzell is the Client Success Manager at Realize in charge of their account. We asked him what made this particular prototype concept so cool.

“The cool factor for me is that these rapid prototype parts are durable enough to use in a working robotic hand. I think the biggest challenge of the project was making sure all of those channels were clear throughout the entire palm where they needed to route their wiring to the fingers. I took it as a personal challenge when this client first contacted us because he said he was turned down by at least 3 other Rapid Prototyping shops that didn’t want to touch this project! He was told it was not possible to manufacture those parts…and we made it happen. He was so excited when he received the parts because he knew that he finally found a viable way to produce his extremely complicated model.”

Josh Gray at Custom Entertainment Solutions was pleased with our work.

“Realize came through for us with a new robot hand design that other companies said they could not build. With Brian Cazzell’s help inside Realize, not only did they say they could do it, they DID it, and Brian made sure all of the small features and channels were hand-cleared and ready for us to run tendons through. Very complex work and they nailed it!” Josh Gray, President, CES.

Here is look at the finished product!

http://youtu.be/KWy3zEfWjfA

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UG4arMMdvrw&feature=youtu.be

February 22, 2013 Blog

Realize Client Profile – Nexxt Spine

We are excited to kick off our series of Realize Client Profiles with Nexxt Spine.
Nexxt Spine is headquartered in Indianapolis, Indiana. They are a quality company with a very friendly and professional staff. We always look forward to working with them on their projects.

We talked with Product Development Engineer Laura Hoiland about their business.

Laura Hoiland – Product Development Engineer

Tell me about your business?

Nexxt Spine designs and manufactures spinal implants and instruments in-house at our dedicated facility which provides high-quality products at a fair price.

How is Rapid Prototyping used by your company?

We use rapid prototyping to obtain fast prototypes of implants and instrument designs for either form, fit, or functional evaluation. This saves us time and money rather than waiting for a part to be machined.

What services and projects did you partner with Realize on?

For our sterile packaging project, we needed two instruments created in order to design the required packaging. Rather than wait for the parts to be machined, we obtained SLA samples in two days which expedited the lead-time of the project.

We use Realize to prototype instruments such as drill guides, sleeves, and handles that we can send to our surgeon for evaluation which provides much better feedback from a surgeon rather than just sending images of 3D models. Giving the surgeon an opportunity to touch and feel the instrument results in much improved design feedback.

How was the experience working with Realize?

Working with Realize has been a very positive experience and it is very convenient they are located locally here in Indianapolis. When a part is ready, I can pick it up the same day or they will even deliver! The candy in the box always seems to improve our day as well. Kim is always quick to provide quotes and has provided on-site tours to several of our team members.

Where is your business headed in the future?

Nexxt Spine plans to move into a larger facility in 2013 to grow and improve our in-house manufacturing capability to meet the increasing demand from surgical centers and hospitals. More and more hospitals are buying direct from the manufacturer, so Nexxt Spine is continuing to grow to meet their needs.

If you could select one personal item to be created or duplicated using Rapid Prototyping technology, what would that be?

Tough question… maybe some sweet aviator sunglasses!

For more information about Nexxt Spine and their services CLICK HERE

February 7, 2013 Blog

Realize Employee Profile – Dawn Cazzell

What do you do at Realize?

I’m a quality control specialist and take care of all the shipping. I drive the Realize Honda Fit around town making deliveries.

What challenges do you face during a typical week at Realize?

Trying to make sure things are out on time. Some days I’m at the mercy of when parts are finished and trying to meet the delivery schedules.

Most difficult thing ship?

Shipping all of these things can be tough. Everything is so fragile, how we get them to people takes a lot of thought.

How does Realize do things differently than the competition?

I think there is an emphasis on quality. We put out the best product possible. Everyone puts their hearts into what they are doing.

What are some of your favorite things in the world?

I’m a Texan at heart……..I like to water ski. I’m a very adventurous person, outdoorsy. Anything craft related…crochet…the afghan I’m about to finish has been a 24 year old project.

Favorite meal?

My favorite item would be avocado tacos…avocados, lettuce tomatoes in a soft tortilla shell in Texas…like them best from our favorite taco shack in Portland, Texas. To drink a large sweet tea, love it. And for dessert homemade pecan pie is my favorite.

What music are you listening to right now?

I listen to mixture of country and 80’s, Bon Jovi was just jamming in the back…old school country…the Oak Ridge Boys…and George Strait.

What fascinates you most about Rapid Prototyping?

I think it’s what can be built and how much detail can go into the parts we are making these days…the process….thinking that liquid created these parts…amazing.

You can take two movies with you to space…which do you bring?

Dirty Dancing, The Cutting Edge.

Name one thing you would like to Rapid Prototype?

My cat. His name is Jasper….orange and white tabby. At Christmas time he lays under the tree….I want to always remember him like that.

February 1, 2013 Blog, Realize Team

Realize Employee Profile – Charlie Guernsey

What is your role at Realize?

Master Painter and detail specialist.

I work on projects that require a little more attention and detail. Lots of painting and clear coat techniques. It takes some thought and creativity to bring some of these prototypes to life.

Which item you have worked on was the most fascinating?

The naughty librarian of course….a client asked for a desktop model of one of his products…it’s 25 pieces and hardest part of creating it was blending skin tones and making the stockings look real.

What do you think are the attributes required to do your job?

Multitasking and staying efficient are a must. You need to constantly think outside of the box.

Name some of your favorite things in the world.

Good dry English humor…if you can’t have fun you might as well be dead…so I try to have fun. I like to paint miniatures, play war games, war hammer table top war game is my current favorite. I like to read and consider myself a military history junkie. My favorite war is WWII.

How does Realize do things differently than the competition?

Realize allows for independent thought and creativity. This allows employees to flourish and ultimately that benefits the customer and makes a huge difference.

Favorite meal?

Taco bar at any restaurant….I love tacos.

What music are you listening to right now?

Rush…it’s all Rush all the time…favorite song is Time Stand Still.

You can take two movies with you on a trip out to space…which do you bring?

Star Wars original and Lord of the Rings.

One word that describes you?

Fun.

One thing you would like to Rapid Prototype for yourself?

A Sherman Tank….its a big M4 WWII tank.

January 11, 2013 Blog, Realize Team

Realize Employee Profiles – Brian Cazzell

What do you do at Realize?

I’m a Client Success Manager – manage and oversee projects and quotes for clients. Finding solutions for prototyping challenges, helping them pick out material. Finding a different way to make parts. It’s a collaborative effort with the client.

What separates Realize from the competition?

Personalized service and we have an expert level of knowledge. We deliver project management, not just at sale but we are with you through the entire project. Most places seem to be behind the scenes, we are hands on. We assist in picking out production materials. For example a client calls in with an order that will be a polyethylene based plastic at a production level and they are looking for something in the Rapid Prototyping world that will mimic that…we consult and discuss all the resin choices. We try to educate them upfront about price vs quality.

Name some of your favorite things in the world.

Music, electric guitar (Ibanez RG old beater put together pieces parts) and my fav amp is a PV JSX half stack can’t turn up past one..it shakes the house. If you asked me to play something for you it would be Crushing Day by Joe Satriani. I love motor sports of all kinds. Enjoy watching my son take off in sports like football and track. I have two boys 14 and 17…one is in culinary arts at high school

Favorite meal?

Good country fried steak mashed potatoes and gravy – it’s best in Texas… really at any restaurant..

What music are you listening to right now?

Foo Fighters on Spotify was the most recent thing…

You can take two movies with you to space…which do you bring?

Vacation – the original, and Nacho Libre

One word that describes you?

Consistent.

One item from your life that you would like to Rapid Prototype?

My 72 Gran Torino Ford….I went to car shows with my family and bought the car at one so it meant a lot to me….

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December 7, 2012 Blog

Itar Registered