【3D Printing Applications】SLS Modification Savior: Old Equipment Gets New Accessories!
Polish radio station "RadioKraków" has been using a voice recorder for many years, but its accessories have worn out and become difficult to use. This NAGRA "Ares-M" recorder is over a decade old, but it's still in service, consistently providing high-quality audio for recordings, films, and other uses. However, any device will show wear after thousands of uses in hurried operations and various environments, with the battery cover being the weakest part due to frequent opening and closing.
The friction and stress from constantly opening and closing the battery cover can cause parts to break. In such cases, plastic covers usually start to fail at contact points of varying thicknesses. When manufactured by plastic injection molding, even a thickness error of a few tenths of a millimeter can create internal tension in the material because it causes uneven cooling, leading to cracking at the contact points again. This is not the desired outcome.
Solving the Problem Fundamentally
Before printing a new casing with the Sinterit Lisa, maintenance personnel frequently had to use glue to fix the recorder, which was a repetitive, time-consuming, and inefficient method. To overcome this problem, they redesigned the battery cover and manufactured it using 3D printing. This not only fits the recorder but is also more durable than the original structure. The designers first measured the original battery cover, built a 3D model, and printed it. Corrections were made based on prototype testing.Although the new cover designed after the first measurement was fully functional, the designers decided to improve some details, because even a 0.1mm difference in the interlocking structure could affect the durability of the 3D printed product. The revised casing had a better surface than the original, and finally, the company name "RadioKraków" was marked on the recorder to prevent loss.
The high precision required for the interlocking structure on the battery cover made SLS technology and PA12 Smooth powder the best approach. Additionally, 3D printing's molding time and the number of prototype modifications achieved maximum efficiency. Using SLS 3D printing technology, all versions needing testing and modification could be arranged within the build volume. After a single print, all design variables could be immediately tested. This characteristic of SLS printing allowed for the design of the optimal accessory version in less time than with other technologies. (Further reading: Comparison and Summary of 3 Common 3D Printing Technologies)
(SLS fills the entire volume with printing powder before 3D printing, allowing for multiple objects to be placed within that volume, making it the most economical and efficient method.)
A New Lease on Life
This approach has already helped the radio station save money and time, eliminating the need to repurchase new recording equipment and retrain staff just because a small part was damaged. The Sinterit Lisa has many application cases across various industries; please refer to our other articles. If you need parts manufactured, we also offer high-quality printing services using original 3D printers, ensuring you achieve the same high-quality results.Follow ourFacebook page for updates:https://www.facebook.com/3dmart.com.tw
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