Point of Sale Multiple Card Reader

Customer Need:

We listened to the customer who asked that TriAxial develop a complete design and 3D model from 2D artist rendering.  They had the basic external requirements within the sketch and the internal requirements were provided in schematic and breadboard form.

Added Value:

Working with the customer and the industrial design designer, TriAxial developed an appealing and producible two-piece injection molded housing.  The housing contained components, features, battery doors, card slots, stylus holder, LED screen, PCB, elastomeric keypad, and speaker.  It was necessary to establish some guidance for the PCWA sizes, component placement for heat dissipation and connector locations.  Many reviews were conducted and iteration completed to optimize the manufacturability, appearance, cost, and  serviceability.

Result:

Our deliverable was a mature model that lead to a series of prototypes.  The customer was satisfied with the quality and technical approach to the design.  In this case though, schedule challenges required that the completion of the project be shared by another outside resource and TriAxial was able to help complete the necessary handoff required to enable those activities.

Case Study: Snowboard Goggles

Customer Need:

We listened to the customer, agreeing that the goal was to develop five or more sophisticated 3D surface models from an industrial designer’s 2D sketches.  It was  clear that manufacturability cost was a driver, appearance had to be bold, ergonomic function had to be considered.

Added Value:

Working with the client and their industrial designer, we moved rapidly from 2D renderings to five unique and exciting 3D designs.  The challenge was creating complex surfaces from the 2D concepts that still flowed as depth was introduced .  There was frequently interfacing with the industrial designer as we matured from sketches to parametric models.  All components needed to be developed, including spherical and cylindrical lenses, foam components, vents, strap mounts, and cosmetic features.  Additionally , TriAxial developed animation of integrated unit operation with airflow through the air vents.

Result:

We delivered  the artistic styles envisioned by the artist while keeping an eye on the mechanical functioning and the ability to mold features.  In all, we designed and modeled five unique snowboard goggles.  One version included integration with helmet.  The customer was satisfied with the quality of the modeling and our ability to interpret the industrial designer vision.

Fuel Hose Fitting Protection

Customer Need:

We listened to the customer who asked TriAxial to develop a line of fittings intended to protect fuel hoses.  They had a rough existing design that had challenges with tolerances and manufacturability.  The fittings design was constrained by rigorous fuel dispensing standards and regulations.

Added Value:

Working with the customer  TriAxial expanded the existing single size fitting to a family of multiple sizes.  This included male and female protection fittings. Fittings were designed to industry standards. The injection molded plastic was designed to facilitate an economical mold set.  We added an over-center latch, integrated sacrificial handle and features to enable a replaceable identification tag.

Result:

Our deliverable was three completed designs with make and female components.  The customer was very satisfied with the elegant design, unified look, and clever functional features.

Rackmount and Portable Compact PCI Enclosure

Customer Need:

We listened to the customer who needed a line of sheet metal chassis for their diverse product line.  They sought a manufacturable and easily configurable design.  It needed adequate conductive and convective cooling features. TriAxial was provided the inputs and outputs requirements, power dissipation, and preferred fan capacities.

Added Value:

Working with the customer TriAxial designed the primarily sheet metal design. Both 2U and 4U tall rack mount sizes were completed. They required hot swap cooling fans and power supplies.  A portable unit was also completed consisting of a monitor, keyboard, bumpers, handle, and screen; all needed protection during transport.  Also considered was the assembly of components, tolerances of sliding fans and power supplies into housing.

Result:

Our deliverables were a 2U, 4U, and a portable chassis design and complete documentation.  TriAxial contributed during the assembly and evaluation and helped resolve final fit issue and adjustment found during initial assembly.  Customer satisfaction was high as they had a new line of chassis and TriAxial had provided an economic and configurable design package.

High End Loudspeakers

Customer Need:

Don’t let the size fool you.  We listened to the customer who wanted a high-end high-capacity speaker product line.  These speakers were estimated to be over 6 feet high, with each weighing several hundred pounds. They sought a manufacturing design and a slick exciting appearance.

Added Value:

Working with the customer and working from sketches, we developed a design primarily constructed of multiple layers of Baltic birch sheets.  These had to be stacked and patterned to optimize high fidelity acoustics.  We designed transition panels to separate between subwoofer, woofer, midrange, and the tweeter. To complete the stack, we also designed very cosmetic base and top panels.  We worked very closely with the customer to get exactly the right features and shape for effective sound and appearance.  It was critical that all the design features could be achieved by a CNC router.

Result:

Our deliverables were highly complex models of the speakers using complex and configurable surfacing techniques.  This enabled a plethora of visually appealing shape options to be considered.  A full set of working drawings and models were provided for the CNC router.  Customer satisfaction was achieved as we designed an appealing, manufacturable, and high performance solution. These products are now in full production.

Industrial Orbital Welder Programmable Power Supply

Customer Need:

Our client, who makes welding systems,  had encountered some unexpected internal circumstances that required outsourcing.  We listened to the customer.  They needed an immediate project start.  The product needed to be an exciting industrial design.  The solution had to meet a material and labor cost requirement.  We had to consider the human features of the rugged welding environment.  They wanted a complete mechanical system design, clean models, and completed drawings and BOM’s in the customer’s format.

Added Value:

Working with the customer from conceptual renderings, actual hardware, and 2D sketches, an exciting 3D design was developed.  TriAxial worked very closely with the project manager.  Though most of the work was done, we made at least four visits to the site in San Fernando for design reviews and when the project demanded face-to-face.  The design was completed in weeks with deliverables prepared and delivered within the schedule.  TriAxial introduced ARC Products to the rapid prototyping SLS process and over mold design.  In addition we introduced and facilitated an excellent rapid prototype supplier.

Result:

Our deliverable was a design embraced by the customer base.  It is considered the most exciting new product in the industry.  The customer was thrilled  by TriAxial’s design skills, speed, attention to details, and new ideas.  This led to contracts on future products.