With Objet, we get every prototype on time and exactly how we want it.

Were seeing time savings of 50-80%, depending on the complexity of the part.
Daniel Verde Hernndez
Design Manager, Helvex

Assembled prototypes for fit, form and functional testing

Case Study
At a Glance
Company: Helvex S.A. de C.V. URL: www.helvex.com.mx Location: Mexico, DF Industry: Consumer goods (Bathroom fixtures)

Helvex Cuts Prototyping Time by up to 80% with Objet 3D Printer

Background
Mexico-based Helvex is a leading manufacturer of kitchen and bathroom fixtures and ceramic bathroom furnishings, ranging from faucets and bathroom suites to institutional sensor-operated sanitary equipment. At Helvex, prototypes are used throughout the product development process, starting with industrial design models for new design concepts, through to detailed models for functional testing, including water flow tests.

Challenges

Create smooth-surfaced curved parts Print functional prototypes quickly and without time-consuming post-processing Produce precise, finely-detailed parts suitable for functional testing

The Challenge

Solution

Objet Connex350TM Multi-material 3D Printer in-house, instead of outsourced prototyping

Over the years, demand for prototypes has increased and the requirements have become tougher. Whereas sculpted prototypes used to suffice, Helvex now needs models that closely simulate the final product. For several years, the company used a non-Objet 3D printer for some models and worked with a service bureau to produce more complex models, with limited success. We could produce some functional prototypes but it took a lot of work to make them functional, says Daniel Verde Hernndez, Design Engineer at Helvex. Cleaning the models was time-consuming and difficult; the machine did not offer the level of precision we needed, and it would leave an uneven finish on curved surfaces. Additionally, Helvex found that sending designs to an outside bureau to produce the complex prototypes took too long.

Results

The Solution

Time savings of 30-40% on production of concept models Time savings of 50-80% on production of parts for functional testing High-precision printing enables printing and testing of products with fine screw threads Improvements in product quality Objet Connex allows multi-material parts to be printed in a single print job, saving precious time Highly realistic prototypes facilitate consumer focus group testing, saving time

Helvex conducted a benchmark study to compare different types of Rapid Prototyping technologies, testing their performance on a flushometer valve. Objets 3D printing technology outshone others in every aspect printing time, precision of parts, versatility of materials, and surface finish. Ultimately, Helvex chose the Objet Connex350 Multi-material 3D Printer, gaining the ability to simultaneously print multiple parts with different types of materials on the same tray, and also print different material properties (up to 14) in the same part, in one print job. We tried out functional prototypes, with a combination of materials, and this has helped us a great deal with our parts, says Daniel Verde Hernndez. The first prototypes that Helvex printed on its new Objet Connex 3D Printer were functional models of mixer faucets, printed in translucent material. Jonathan Blancas Snchez, Product Engineer, says: At first glance you really noticed the improvement in printing precision and how easy it is to make the prototype functional. Its a world of difference compared to what we could do before.

The Power to Create

About Helvex
Helvex specializes in the manufacturing of bathroom fixtures and ceramic bathroom furnishings. Established in 1950, and headquartered in Mexico, Helvex has a tradition of high quality and competitive pricing. The company has been exporting for more than 25 years, and is a market leader in many countries.

The Value

Helvex has drastically cut the time required to produce all kinds of prototypes. For models of industrial designs, the Objet Connex350 Multi-material 3D Printer has provided time savings of 30-40%. And, with functional prototypes of faucets for testing with running water, the time savings have been even greater: 50% time savings for simple functional prototypes and 7080% for more complex prototypes. Helvex has found that with Objet-printed prototypes, curved surfaces come out smooth and it now takes a lot less time to post-process parts. Also, thanks to the Objet Connex350 Multimaterial 3D Printer, Helvex can now print prototypes with fine screw threads of 20-40 threads per inch. The Objet 3D Printer excels at producing even the finest thread Helvex requires 5-40 UNC-2B as well as NPT thread for gas and water pipes. Being able to present high-quality prototypes printed on the Objet 3D Printer makes consumer testing go considerably faster, with more valuable results. Helvex prints with the Objet ABSlike material and/or combines rigid and flexible materials to closely simulate faucets, nozzles, handles and other bathroom fixtures. The prototypes look good when they come out of the 3D printer, and they look even better with a paint post-process, says Jonathan Blancas Snchez. But, chrome-plating gives you much more in the way of product presentation. End-users dont want images or mockups; they want to see how the final product will look, and thats the idea behind Objet. The ease of use and unattended printing capabilities of the Objet Connex350 Multi-material 3D Printer provide additional value to Helvex. Jonathan Blancas Snchez explains: The machine has inspired a lot of confidence in us because you can print at any time, even overnight. We wait for it to start printing and monitor it for just a few minutes; then we can leave and come back the next day with full confidence that the parts will be ready.

Faucet prototype printed with Objet ABS-like material, after chrome plating Fully-functional prototype printed with Objet rigid and flexible materials to simulate gaskets & spray nozzles

Final part - chromed brass & rubber

Being able to print durable, rigid materials that can be easily metal-coated and to combine rigid and flexible materials to simulate real parts with gasket and seals gives us a vital competitive edge.

ABOUT OBJET
Objet Ltd., is a leading provider of high quality, cost effective inkjet-based 3D printing systems and materials. A global company, Objet has offices in North America, Europe, Japan, China, Hong Kong, and India. Objets 3D printing systems and 3D printing materials are ideal for any company involved in the manufacture or design of physical products using 3D software or other 3D content. Companies using Objets solutions can be typically found in sectors such as consumer goods & electronics, aerospace & defense, automotive, education, dental, medical and medical devices, architecture, industrial machinery, footwear, sporting goods, toys and service bureaus. Founded in 1998, the company has thousands of customers worldwide including a substantial share of the relevant Fortune 100 and Fortune 500. Its award-winning technology (12 awards in 5 years) is based upon over 110 patents and patent pending inventions. Objets advanced 3D printing systems and range of over 60 materials enable professionals to build prototypes that accurately simulate the true look, feel and function of an end-product, even complex, assembled goods. The Objet Connex line of multi-material 3D printers features the worlds only technology to simultaneously jet 2 materials. With this, users can print many different materials into a single part and print various mixed parts on the same build tray. Users can also create advanced composite materials, or Digital Materials featuring unique mechanical and thermal properties. Objets range of over 60 3D printing materials simulate properties ranging from rigid to rubber-like, transparent to opaque and standard to ABS-grade engineering plastics, with a large number of in-between shore grades and shades. Objets 3D printers are available in a range of form-factors, from cost-effective desktop 3D printers ideal for entry-level professionals all the way to industrial-scale multi-material machines for front-line designers and top manufacturers. Objets 3D printers feature the industrys highest-resolution 3D printing quality, based on 16-micron (0.0006 in.) super-thin layering, wide material versatility, office friendliness and ease of operation. For more information, visit us at www.objet.com, and for more about 3D printing industry-related news, business issues and trends, read the Objet Blog.

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