3D Printing for Sleek Routers

Nov. 17, 2009
AZPrinter 450 3D printer quickly make relatively inexpensive prototypes.

Cisco Consumer Business Group, www.linksysbycisco.com

Z Corp., www.zcorp.com

Electronics manufacturer Cisco, Irvine, Calif., is trying to make devices such as wireless routers, media hubs, and audio systems more aesthetically pleasing. To this end, the company’s operation in Denmark decided to uphold the tradition of Scandinavian design — functional, minimal, and affordable — without compromising aesthetics.

The traditional approach calls for engineers to hold handcrafted prototypes, judge the model’s proportions, discover what the object “tells” them, and ensure the form follows function. But handcrafted prototypes are expensive and time consuming. The problem: How to produce sleek, functional designs economically while remaining competitive. The eventual ticket to success came from purchasing a ZPrinter 450 3D printer.

According to Cisco, the 3D printer from Z Corp., Burlington, Mass., pumps out prototypes in hours instead of weeks and for one-fifth the cost. “Models are printed directly from 3D CAD files submitted by Cisco designers around the world,” says European Design Center head Eskild Hansen. “Engineers pass around prototypes, revise designs in CAD, print new models, and repeat the cycle as necessary. And the ZPrinter’s can create multiple colors simultaneously, which helps us communicate a design’s look, feel, and style,” he says.

Sponsored Recommendations

NEW Low Profile, Ultra Compact Power Supplies

March 13, 2024
Learn more HERE about Altech's Power supplies!

Altech's Liquid Tight Strain Relifs Catalog

March 13, 2024
With experienced Product Engineers and Customer Service personnel, Altech provides solutions to your most pressing application challenges. All with one thought in mind - to ensure...

Industrial Straight-Through Cable Gland

March 13, 2024
Learn more about Altech's cable glands and all they have to offer for your needs!

All-In-One DC-UPS Power Solutions

March 13, 2024
Introducing the All-In-One DC-UPS, a versatile solution combining multiple functionalities in a single device. Serving as a power supply, battery charger, battery care module,...

Voice your opinion!

To join the conversation, and become an exclusive member of Machine Design, create an account today!