Case Study: RedDOT achieves faster, lower-cost functional prototyping with Stratasys FDM

RedDOT solves clients' design problems with onsite functional prototyping

RedDOT designs and builds custom mobile HVAC systems for demanding on- and off-highway vehicles, but its projects were slowed and made risky by costly injection-mold tooling and long lead times for outsourced SLA/SLS prototypes that weren’t rugged enough for physical testing. Stratasys, through its Fortus Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM) technology (Fortus 3D Production System, using materials such as ULTEM 9085), was recommended as an onsite solution to produce stronger, production-grade prototypes quickly.

Stratasys’ Fortus FDM system let RedDOT produce functional prototypes in-house, enabling a four-variation groove test that took 2.5 hours and $10 of material versus a $3,000 SLS job (or 120 hours and $1,000 in materials by FDM if done differently), cutting the three-component housing cost by about $2,000 and lead time by three weeks. The move to Stratasys FDM reduced prototype cost (FDM $2,060 vs SLA/SLS $3,000), shortened lead time (1 week vs 4 weeks), and delivered parts suitable for physical testing and customer evaluation, increasing confidence that designs are right the first time.

RedDOT

Gary Hansen

Vice President and Chief Technology Officer