From Prototype To Production with 3D Systems' On Demand Manufacturing

"From the personal follow up on our prototype projects, all the way to the Design for Manufacturability analysis we received with our molded parts, Quickparts continued to be the easy and logical choice to handle each phase of our production."

Redfish Instruments develops electronic devices that function in tandem with the Apple iPhone, iPad, and iPod-touch. Redfish Instruments’ iDVM device is the world’s first iPhone, iPad, and iPod-touch enabled digital multimeter that wirelessly transmits voltage, current, and resistance measurements for enhanced visualization, data sharing, and data logging. Control of the iDVM is handled entirely from within a free, downloadable application that resides on the mobile device.

The iDVM digital multimeter from Redfish makes measuring and data logging resistance, voltage, and/or current easy, allowing the user to capture store, and share data wirelessly.  Redfish Instruments is the only company offering a multimeter iPhone application, which can be downloaded for free from the Apple App Store.

Redfish had created an initial design for the iDVM device but needed to find a vendor who could provide them with functional prototypes for review and testing.  “We needed, to begin with, some prototype versions to help us confirm the design, before ultimately moving on to sourcing the production parts,” said Patrick O’Hara with Redfish.

O’Hara began by using 3D Systems' On Demand Manufacturing service -  Quickparts - online instant quoting engine, QuickQuote?, to quote and buy the order for the initial ABS-like, black SLA prototypes for the top and bottom of the design case.  After performing fit and form testing, Redfish, along with help from Quickparts engineers, implemented design revisions and moved on to the second order of pre-production Cast Urethane parts that allowed them to further test design, color, functionality, and finish texture.

When the time came to produce the final production parts for the case, Redfish again turned to Quickparts for the Low Volume Injection Molded parts they needed.  Today, production quantity components for the iDVM are molded out of UL94V0 black ABS off of aluminum injection molds with Quickparts.  “From the personal follow up on our prototype projects, all the way to the Design for Manufacturability analysis we received with our molded parts, Quickparts continued to be the easy and logical choice to handle each phase of our production,” said O’Hara.

Redfish was able to directly benefit from the full “Prototype to Production” capabilities at Quickparts.  Utilizing a single vendor, Redfish was able to move the iDVM device all of the way from concept through to production.  “The fantastic speed and service we received allowed us to easily navigate through the entire developmental process of the plastic components,” said O’Hara.  “We couldn't have done it without the great teamwork we experienced with Quickparts.”

More information is available at www.redfishinstruments.com.