Case Study: Fleetwood Electronics achieves rapid launch of Instant-Trace contact-tracing badges with Protolabs

Fleetwood Electronics’ Instant-Trace system uses 3D printing, machining, on-demand injection molding to speed to market

Fleetwood Electronics developed the Instant-Trace contact-tracing and social-distancing badge to help employees return to work safely during the COVID-19 pandemic, but needed extremely fast development and production to win customers. To accelerate time to market, Fleetwood turned to Protolabs, using Protolabs’ automated quoting and design feedback plus CNC machining and on-demand injection molding for rapid prototyping and end-use parts.

Protolabs provided daily technical support, machined prototypes and quick-turn injection-molded housings, and helped select materials for LED light diffusion—enabling Instant-Trace to go from concept to shipment in six weeks. The faster launch saved Fleetwood Electronics $20,000 in tooling costs, delivered tooling four weeks sooner, and helped win a Fortune 100 pharmaceutical customer, while the badges have since helped resolve contact-tracing cases in hours instead of days.

Fleetwood Electronics

Nick Hayhoe

Vice President of Sales