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PRESENTATION MODELS FOR INDUSTRIAL TRADE SHOWS
The ECA Group is renowned for its expertise in robotics, automated systems, simulation and industrial processes. Since 1936, ECA Group has been developing complete, innovative technological solutions to perform complex missions in hostile or restrictive environments. Its products are used by a demanding international clientele requiring the highest levels of safety and efficiency, mainly in the sectors of defense, maritime, aerospace, simulation, energy and industrial equipment.
CONTEXT & CHALLENGE
In preparation for its next Military & Defense trade shows, ECA Group draws on the expertise of Initial – Prodways to produce smallscale models of their AUV & ROV underwater robots, designed for exploration and demining.
Those presentation models must address both aesthetics and quality requirements that represent the excellence of ECA group solutions and must be adapted to the constraints of plastic additive manufacturing.
COMPETENCIES
Optimization of presentation models, adapted to to meet the requirements for 3D printing, and expertise on the different manufacturing technologies.
SOLUTION DEPLOYED
Technology: Laser sintering 3D printer
Material: PA12 plastic powder
INITIAL – PRODWAYS: experts in 3D design and aestheticism.
The expertise of Initial – Prodways engineering & design office in the field of model optimization and adaptation to meet the requirements of additive manufacturing allows us to support ECA group throughout every step of the production of beautiful, high-quality presentation models:
- Modification of model surface thicknesses, based on the desired material, to ensure structural integrity and strength
- Increase the thickness of fine details in the robot models to be better suited to 3D printing processes
- Calibration of dozens of different parts to allow for quick assembly of each model to create a visually compelling presentation
- Designing components to be modular, allowing for removable or interchangeable parts on each robot model
INITIAL – PRODWAYS: experts in plastic additive manufacturing.
Based on strong knowledge and experience with different plastic additive manufacturing technologies, Initial – Prodways chose to utilize laser sintering technology to print ECA Group’s small-scale presentation models of underwater robots, designed for exploration and demining:
- 3D printing of an accurate, precise model in PA12 polyamide using a selective laser sintering 3D printer, designed to allow for attractive mounting to achieve maximum visual impact for presentation
- After mounting, the different presentation models were sent to the finishing center for finishing, painting (in three colors: black, yellow and grey), logo branding and the integration of magnets, allowing interchangeable parts to be easily removed and swapped
BENEFITS
Initial – Prodways offers a great combination of technical proficiency and expert knowledge of additive manufacturing technologies, providing ECA Group substantial benefits:
- A high level of performance and the ability to produce accurate, attractive models that meet the high standards for the models requested by ECA Group for its international Military & Defense trade shows
- The integration of modular design, featuring interchangeable parts, allows ECA Group to highlight multiple configurations of their robots
- A complete solution combined with support throughout the entire process, from specifications to finishing, resulting in top-quality, trade-show-ready presentation models, while meeting technical, aesthetic, and economic constraints
