All posts tagged: resin

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 Profiles – Dana Andrews

What do you do at Realize?

Finishing. I get the machines cleaned up sanded, painted, whatever needs to be done. Take prototypes out of the SLA machines and soak them in a solution and release the excess resin. We use a two bath alcohol rinse, depending on the material we will clean it up and blow dry it…we use syringes, toothbrushes, and other large brushes.

What is the strangest item you have used to finish a part?

We will use a guitar string…they are small and can penetrate tiny openings and get the resin out. During the curing process we sometimes insert the string into tiny holes that may look like they have excess resin in them…don’t want the hole to close up….if it does we may need to re-do the part.

Most difficult part of your job?

Actually getting it off the platform or grid from the SLA machine…removing parts without breaking them is the toughest part…it can be 5 seconds or 50 minutes…every prototype is different.

What attributes are needed to be a finisher?

Detailed oriented, patient, and you can’t be afraid to get a little dirty! Not the cleanest job…we don’t wear anything too expensive in our department.

Name some of your favorite things in the world.

Panning for gold. The Travel Channel gold-rush fascinates me….geology….gem or jewelry side of things…my favorite gem is the sapphire. I’ve been out mining for them in Montana…and learned how to cut gems….
ATV 4 wheeling….outdoors….hiking…golf…I’m somewhere around a 20 handicap.

How does Realize do things differently than the competition?

I think that if someone is unhappy we go out of our way to resolve the issue….we go that extra step that other companies tend not to bother with.

Favorite meal?

Anything barbecued…pulled bbq pork, scalloped potatoes, and a good salad with Italian dressing..and cheesecake for dessert.

What music are you listening to right now?

I listen to the rock of the 70’s and 80’s and light jazz….one of my favs is Tom Petty.

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

James Bond with Ursala Andress…Dr. No and the Godfather.

One word that describes you?

Diversified.

One personal thing you would like to Rapid Prototype?

I would like to have a 3D prototype of my family….my sister and parents.

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December 19, 2012 Blog

The Realize Process

One thing that’s exciting about visiting Realize is the tour of our facility.

Rapid Prototyping not only sounds like something cool, it’s an interesting process.

Watching the team take on new projects is something special…so I snuck in one day and bothered them to give you this report.

I give you…the Realize process…or at the very least my version of it:) Enjoy – Ray

Step 1 – contact

Our friendly client success managers will answer and ask questions to find out the scope of your project to find the best solutions for you, in between group sing a longs and youtube viewing parties of course.

Friendly CSM!

Step 2 – Quoting

We will then work on getting your quote. It’s a formula driven estimate that combines equipment and a human element. And other technical stuff too I’m sure…but could not find pictures of that.

Some serious staged pointing going on here.

Step 3- Stereolithography process

Once we agree on a direction for your project then we execute the stereolithography process. This is science and art driven. Our expertise will provide the best part in the end. I misspelled Stereolithography several times in this post btw.

NEVER stare directly into the lasers…

Step 4 – The Machines!

Our machines not only are state of the art, we also have named each of them after supermodels. It’s where science and fun come together in a truly magical way.

Rapid Prototyping has never looked better!

Step 5 – Clean up

The clean up process involves several steps. Removing Support, liquid resin stripped away and a curing process. There are many secrets we can’t reveal that occur during this phase…I could tell you but then I would have to…well you know.

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Step 6-Delivery

You will get the finest prototype part that can be created combining technology and the human element…and some candy too!

What is a part, or anything really without some candy?

December 12, 2012 Blog

Itar Registered