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a 24-hour challenge to design test sample models for Stratasys’s polyjet 3D printers

The Challenge

The integration process for SSYS printers involves a critical test: printing a tray of test objects to assess the system's reliability and printing quality. The issue though is all the sample prints end up in bins creating terrible volumes of waste.

Our challenge was to design test objects that not only push the boundaries of the printers' capabilities in terms of material and color complexity but also serve a practical purpose for SSYS clients and employees to avoid waste generation.

My role in the project encompassed Concept Generation, Product and Mechanism Detailing, 3D Modelling, Rendering and Team Coordinator

Printer Limitations

Stratasys’s advanced polyjet printers are capable of handling multiple materials and colors in a single print. The bed size though is limited to 450x350mm a 20mm height clearance with a 14-micron tolerance and an ideal minimum wall thickness of 2mm to ensure precision and durability.

User Centred

Recognizing the diverse audience of SSYS clients and employees, our design process prioritized daily utility, leading to the creation of a practical item tailored for professionals. We went though a rigorous ideation phase, followed by a thorough evaluation of our concepts, focusing on features that would test the printer's performance, such as overhangs and intricate detail work.

Outcome

The result of the 24 hour marathon was a sophisticated laptop stand, meticulously designed to be ultra-compact and user-friendly. This stand not only exemplifies the printer's prowess in creating functional and complex items but also offers lasting value, avoiding the fate of being discarded post-evaluation.