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Workplace mobility
Is this what you need to get around
your office or campus? Reminiscent of a
Segway but with the added convenience
of a saddle seat and sit-down operation,
the Honda UNI-CUB incorporates an
omni-directional driving wheel system
that allows the rider to adjust speed,
change direction, turn and stop simply by
shifting his or her weight. Honda says that
the UNI-CUB’s size – it takes up no more
corridor space than a pedestrian – and
manoeuvrability make it easy for riders
to avoid obstacles.
Honda and Japan’s
National Museum
of Emerging Science
and Innovation are
currently assessing
UNI-CUB’s suitability
for use indoors and
exploring possible
applications.
Toughbook docking units designed
with 3D printers
Another company that uses 3D printer technology is Panasonic
Computer Product Solutions, which has just launched a series of
10 vehicle docking units for its Toughbook and Toughpad mobile
computers. Suitable for customers in the utilities, emergency services
and transportation industries, the docking stations allow drivers to
use key software applications without risk of damage to hardware.
Panasonic provides a full service from concept, design, prototyping
and manufacturing to installation, certification and support. Its
design team can quickly create bespoke solutions using 3D printing
technology to cut prototype production time from weeks to days.
innovations
Smart technology for business people in the
office, at home or on the move
Most versatile 3D
desktop printer yet
Bringing new choice to product
designers, Objet has launched an
office-friendly desktop 3D printer
that supports seven different printing
materials, including clear transparency
and high temperature-resistant
materials – the first time such options
have been offered on an in-house
desktop system.
The rapid prototyping solution for
everything from consumer goods to
medical devices sits at the top of Objet’s
existing desktop 3D printer line (priced
from $19,900).
The wide choice of materials supported
gives designers, design agencies and
engineers the ability to simulate a range
of manufacturing materials, from glass to
plastic (in a choice of four colours) that
would previously only have been possible
with a much larger machine.
For Adam Smith, Technical Manager at
Collcap Packaging, a producer of cosmetic,
perfumery and personal care packaging,
this versatility is a real selling point.
“We knew a desktop machine would
meet our capacity requirements quite
happily, but for the packaging work
we do, we really wanted the range of
materials that has previously only been
available with bigger machines,” he said.
“The clear transparent material
is ideal for prototyping our bespoke
fragrance bottles and other glass or clear
plastic products, whilst the coloured
rigid materials are perfect for simulating
plastic bottles, caps and fittings.”
www.objet.com
Design Visualisation offers an alternative to
3D printing, giving product designers a cost-
effective means of turning basic concepts into
virtual images and animations.
Design development consultancy Haughton
Design launched its own Design Visualisation
service in mid-2011 allowing clients to win
internal support and judge market reaction prior to
manufacturing at a time when business confidence
was low and firms were reluctant to invest in new
product development.
One company to have successfully used
the service is Cultivating Solutions, which
asked Haughton Design to create realistic
representations of its RapidLift for use at the
LAMMA show 2012.
Managing Director Richard Scholes said:
“The team really brought my concept to life;
many people at the show actually thought the
machine existed! I was able to show prospective
clients the finished machine, rather than technical
drawings which people struggle to understand.
Our exhibition was extremely successful: it allowed
me to sell the product and the rendered images
provided by Haughton Design played a key role
in this.”
01785 243767 www.haughtondesign.co.uk
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Bring your ideas to life
with design visualisation