Case Study: RedDOT achieves production-grade Nylon 12 prototypes and faster time-to-market with Stratasys FDM

RedDOT Speeds Production with FDM Nylon 12 Prototypes and Fixtures

RedDOT, a designer and builder of mobile HVAC systems and components for on- and off‑highway vehicles, faced a challenge validating nylon parts before expensive injection molding because machined metal prototypes didn’t mimic nylon’s snap-fit and shock-resistant properties. When Stratasys added FDM Nylon 12 to its Fortus 3D Production System, RedDOT joined the beta program to address this gap and bring production-grade thermoplastic prototyping in-house.

Using Stratasys’ Fortus system with FDM Nylon 12, RedDOT now produces functional nylon prototypes and snap-fit jigs and fixtures that match production part properties, enabling first-time-right designs. The move eliminated up to six-week product introduction delays, avoided costly tooling modifications and six-figure retooling in the worst cases, and even allowed fixtures that process hundreds of printed circuit boards every day.

RedDOT

Gary Hansen

Vice President and Chief Technology Officer