Case Study: Astoria-Pacific cuts lead times and improves fluorometer performance with Carbon's EPX 86FR

Astoria Pacific Uses EPX 86FR to Solve a Burning Problem

Astoria-Pacific, a maker of wet chemistry analyzers (including a neonatal blood analyzer), faced a supply crisis in 2021 when their sheet‑metal fluorometer housing became unavailable and new manufacturers could not meet long lead times (8–14 weeks). To meet medical-device flammability requirements (UL 94 V-0) and avoid production delays, Astoria‑Pacific turned to Carbon and its EPX 86FR resin—printing parts in‑house on a Carbon M1.

Carbon’s EPX 86FR enabled rapid in‑house 3D printing and fast iteration: Astoria‑Pacific consolidated 11 metal, plastic, and rubber components into one printed part, cut prototype lead time from 8–14 weeks to 1 day (final part in 3 days), lowered part cost from $81 to $30 (63% savings), and reduced assembly time from 40 minutes to 3 minutes. Carbon’s material also delivered UL 94 V‑0 compliance, a darker, light‑blocking surface that improved readings, and allowed design improvements (e.g., an adjustable set screw); another example cut a machined manifold from $1,000 to ~$30 (≈97% savings).

Astoria-Pacific

Whitney Menzel

Senior Engineer