Applications

Concept Models
Contex3D Printers are capable of creating early stage concept models of any complexity directly from digital data, quickly and inexpensively. A typical part can be printed in a few hours.The Contex 3D Printer Solution Provides the Ability to:

• Communicate Internally: Contex 3D printers enable design teams to efficiently iterate on product concepts early in the design process, enabling multiple renditions to be visualized and critiqued by a variety of functional teams within an organization.
• Perform Iterative Design: Quick, inexpensive models make it possible to print multiple pieces during the course of a project and use the models not only to present, but also as part of the creative process.
• Communicate with Clients: Functional appearance prototypes are useful in solving problems and obtaining agreement on a design direction.
• Communicate Across Distances: parts can be sent to key contributors, providing more concrete data than a screen shot or paper printout.
• Identify Problems Early: 3D printed parts provide a fast and efficient way to identify issues and challenges with a design very early in the process.
• Achieve Consensus on a Design: A physical model allows members of the design team to fully understand the pros and cons of design concepts, making the consensus process easier.
• Perform Ergonomic Testing: Quick and inexpensive concept models allow designers to test the ergonomics of the design and conduct shape studies in the industrial design process.

Presentation Models
Parts can be finished in a variety of ways to yield high quality surfaces. Paint and decals can be added to produce exact replicas of production models used to solicit market feedback. Manufacturing companies face the challenge of staying ahead of the competition by delivering innovative products to market quickly. The race to maintain shelf space in major stores requires companies to develop a rapid response to competitive threats. Therefore, collecting valuable market feedback is a crucial step in the design cycle. Presentation models can be used for:

• Focus group testing
• Mock-ups for design review
• Assembly with manufactured parts for a complete prototype
• Sales demonstration models

Finite Element Analysis
Contex 3D Printers can be used to output finite element analysis data in full color. The parts are used to enhance communication among project teams and aid in the discovery of design flaws early in the design cycle. Clear communication between designers and manufacturers is crucial during the design process, because the discovery of design flaws early in the process prevents unexpected costs and delays. In a product design process, it is crucial that everyone on the team fully understands the design and is able to provide valuable feedback. 3D Printers dramatically improves communication within the design process. The Contex solution provides the ability to:

• Communicate with Customers: 3D Printers are capable of creating appearance prototypes directly from digital data, quickly and inexpensively. Full color models representing FEA output allow engineers to communicate concept designs to the customer.
• Communicate Across Distances: Printed parts can be sent to key contributors, providing more concrete data than a screen shot or paper printout.
• Identify Problems Early: Printed parts provide a fast and efficient way to identify issues and challenges with a design very early in the process.
• Achieve Consensus on a Design: A physical model allows members of the design team to fully understand the pros and cons of design concepts, making the consensus process easier.
• Print Full Color Parts: The Contex 3D Printer is the only rapid prototyping machine capable of outputting FEA data because of its unique ability to create full-color parts quickly and inexpensively.

Functional Testing
Companies in a variety of industries use 3D printed parts for functional testing of new design concepts. 3D Printed parts can be infiltrated with various epoxies to dramatically increase their strength, temperature resistance and humidity resistance. The added strength of the parts gives them the ability to be machined, drilled and tapped allowing the parts to be assembled with manufactured parts. The functional prototype parts can then be used for:

• Wind tunnel testing
• Form and fit testing
• Airflow testing