Hi Beth, My company is Well Planned Web and we've interviewed many of MediaLab's clients, such as Whirlpool, Black & Decker, NetGear and Kohler to learn more about how 3D models and animation has benefitted them. This was all part of the Case Study process. Their engineers have been thrilled with the results — especially in the warranty and customer service arenas. I don't want to seem like I'm pitching things too much here :) — but happy to post links to those case studies if you'd like. Extremely compelling stats and results of using 3D models, animation, etc. Just let me know!
Indeed, Beth, we've learned in our work with MediaLab 3D Solutions that an enormous amount of money can be saved by opting for high-quality 3D models over building prototypes, scheduling shoots, etc. The inevitable product spec changes and tweaks are also far less painful when using 3D — it's a matter of tweaking the 3D file, not starting back at the very expensive "Square 1!"
TJ: I totally agree with your analysis of how things are evolving going forward with the marriage of stronger 3D visualization and 3D printing. I always think you are spot on with the notion that physical prototyping doesn't go away. Every engineering organization I've talked to that has moved forward with a virtual prototyping approach says the benefits are being able to pursue more design instances more quickly and get to an optiimzed set, which are further proved out in physical prototyping. Essentially saving the costly and time consuming physical prototypes for the good stuff.
Beth, I love computer visualizations. So many different iterations can be tested to find the right one, and not have a huge scrap heap of discarded models. That is the strength of 3D visualization.
Infinite-Z's product is going to open new vistas for this, and I'm really looking forward to getting my hands on one (no pun intended).
However, there will always be physical mockups. At the very least, drivers will want to sit at the wheel. Pilots will want to climb into the cockpit. Just the act of walking around the real mockup makes the concept being viewed more real. Computer simulations suffer from the uncanny valley effect; mockups do not.
The way to take the strong points of 3D visualization and tie themt to phyiscal mockups will be the 3D printers we've been discussing this year. But for a full mockup of a vehicle, I see a future with large format printers.
It's the ability to visualize highly realistic models in 3D along with the highly advanced collaboration capabilities that enables these smaller firms to gain an edge and not have to pour all the time and energy into building expensive prototypes. That's really at the heart of the technology's promise.
Morgan's three-wheeler is a great example of the power of this technology. To think that Morgan is designing and building a vehicle like this with a staff of ten engineers is mind-boggling.
We looked at a number of sources to determine this year's greenest cars, from KBB to automotive trade magazines to environmental organizations. These 14 cars emerged as being great at either stretching fuel or reducing carbon footprint.
Researchers at MIT and Sandia National Labs have observed a reaction in lithium-air batteries that could help improve the design of these cells for electric vehicles and other applications.
Healthcare might seem to be an unlikely target application for the Internet of Things technology, but recent developments show small ways that big-data is going to make an impact on patient care moving into the future.
From Dell / Intel® New Paradigms in Design Work Scott Hamilton, vertical market strategist for Dell Precision workstations, 5/2/2013 3
Early in my career, I worked as a draftsman and remember the days of drawing on vellum with numbered pencils and Mylar with plastic lead. This was a fun experience in the sense that I ...
I've been using workstations for more than 10 years and love finding ways to get more performance from my system. With demanding professional applications that require more power each ...
A lasting memory from my first job as an engineer in an auto assembly plant is standing on hard concrete at six in the morning, vending-machine coffee clutched in hand, listening to ...
A quick look into the merger of two powerhouse 3D printing OEMs and the new leader in rapid prototyping solutions, Stratasys. The industrial revolution is now led by 3D printing and engineers are given the opportunity to fully maximize their design capabilities, reduce their time-to-market and functionally test prototypes cheaper, faster and easier. Bruce Bradshaw, Director of Marketing in North America, will explore the large product offering and variety of materials that will help CAD designers articulate their product design with actual, physical prototypes. This broadcast will dive deep into technical information including application specific stories from real world customers and their experiences with 3D printing. 3D Printing is
To save this item to your list of favorite Design News content so you can find it later in your Profile page, click the "Save It" button next to the item.
If you found this interesting or useful, please use the links to the services below to share it with other readers. You will need a free account with each service to share an item via that service.
Tweet This
3 
