Digital vs Analogue

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Digital vs AnalogueThe challenges of going digital in product development

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Process Image

Digital Vs. Analogue

Turns out to be hard to define: The best approximation for our discussion is:

Digital : Lossless ReproductionAnalogue : Reproduction with Loss over time.

Digital Development Timeline

Hype?

There is so much material on a daily basis in the public domain that it is hard to make sense of it.

The seduction of digital manufacture is hard to turn down. It offers solutions to so many of the problems we face developing new products.

Hype?

1. Being able to quickly learn through fast design iterations.2. No laborious and expensive tooling required for many

production tools;3. Very short runs when your starting out;4. Ultimate design flexibility on a model by model basis;5. Not being limited to your last release until you can go

again with what you have learnt.6. Borderless production – removes export and geographic

issues. Digital distribution.

But the Issue is

We still depend on Analogue methods of production:1. We require tooling (of some type) to deliver product

in materials with the right performance;2. Speed of production is not where modern

autonomous production is at to meet volume requirements;

3. We combine materials in interesting and novel ways that confound current approaches to 3d Printing

The Reality

A prevalence of plastic methods and approachesOther materials have had less research injected into them such as textiles, metals etc.

Compromised material qualitiesLess strengthMore porosity & less detail

Gimmicky software Limited component sizes and really suitable for smaller materials

The Reality

Requires skill and commitment to run the equipment The equipment is being obsoleted at a very high rate with the progressThere are a wide range of techniques and materials that suit different applications so no one machine will work for all applications (something we experience)

“Just because you can do it, doesn’t mean you should.”

Anon

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“The next time someone asks you to explain 3D printers, and why anyone would want one in their home, you can simply bring up this article and show them that without 3D printing technology we may never have had a T-Rex shower head.”

GIZMODO

Trouble is

Things don’t always do what you want them to.

Disruption is moving to a constant1. Digital Music – Changed the way the music

business works and how we consume music (still happening with streaming)

2. Digital Books – Changed they way the business works and how we consumer books.

3. Digital Photography – Democratised the image.4. Ecommerce Retailing – Changed the way products

are purchased and distributed.5. Manufactured Products?

Intellectual Property?

Creates some headaches which other industries have already run into.

Music & Books provide a perspective on the issues that may be encountered.More freely available full design data (previously less available).Digital distribution exacerbates this further, although other elements like digitisers don’t limit the impact to just distribution issues.

Distribution Models

Distribution Models

Distribution Models

Digital Mass Manufacture

3D Printing Options in NZ

Fused Deposition Modelling (FDM, FFF, PJP)Process: Extruded FilamentMaterials: Extensive. ABS, PLA, Nylon, Rubber, Polycarbonate, Wax…Why: Cheap, Quick, Availability, Strength Material Options, Simple Why Not: Complex/Interfacing Parts, High Resolution.State In NZ: Becoming Prominent, A number of suppliers, can buy and rent them.

3D Printing Options in NZ

Stereolithography (SLA/DLP)Process: Photocured UV ResinMaterials: Limited. Plastic Simulation ResinsWhy: High Resolution, Plastic Simulation, Smooth, Watertight.Why Not: Brittle over time, Small bed sizes, Expensive, Build TimeState In NZ: Only 2 Commercial SLA printer in NZ, Limited Materials.

3D Printing Options in NZ

Selective Laser Sintering (SLS, SLM, DMLS )Process: Sintered PowderMaterials: Plastic (Nylon), MetalWhy: Strong, impact and temperature resistant, no support requiredWhy Not: Complex process, Rough Surface finish, Porous (Plastic)State In NZ: Limited Materials in NZ, only through TiDA, AUT & PDT

3D Printing Options in NZ

Multijet/PolyjetProcess: Jetted liquid photopolymerMaterials: Large Range, Multi-material, Digital Materials, ElastomersWhy: Super High Detail, Easy to Remove Support, Multimaterial. Why Not: Expensive, Materials not as durable, StrengthState In NZ: A number of Multijet printers in NZ. Polyjet only at Victoria

SuppliersPlastic Design Technologies: SLA, SLSStratatec - FDM, PolyJet, Offshore prototyping.One.61 Design - FDM, PolyJet, Partner with QuickpartsPalmer Design and Manufacturing–FDM, Polyjet and SLS3Design - FDM, Polyjet. Australian partner with SLS and SLA AUT - SLS and SLMVictoria University - PolyjetCPIT - ProjetRAM /TiDA – SLMWintec– SLA

Offshore OptionsQuickParts - 3D systems - Australia/USObjective3D/Red Eye - Stratasys – Australia

3D Printing MarketplacesShapeways - NetherlandsiMaterealise - BelgiumSculpteo - France Ponoko - New Zealand

2 Examples

We are constantly trying new things and seeing what works and what doesn’t. Here are two relevant & different examples:1. Design to Production of a large volume DIY Product2. Design development of an Integrated PPE Filter to

assess a new Cloud Based Modelling platform.

GetSorted Storage

Digital design to manufacture without a physical prototype

Our Aims

Develop a comprehensive yet simple wardrobe and storage system.Improve the ease of installation.Create a defined point of different from other products on the market.Launch nationwide in Australia in under 12 months.

http://locusresearch.com/projects/getsorted-home-storage

http://locusresearch.com/projects/getsorted-home-storage

http://locusresearch.com/projects/getsorted-home-storage

http://locusresearch.com/projects/getsorted-home-storage

Fusion 360

Digital collaboration for design and prototyping

http://locusresearch.com/blog/2014/05/05/fusion-evolution

Our Aims

Develop a project using the new tool fusion 360Understand how a true cloud modelling tool might work in the real worldUndertake a project where we could use the design data and take it through to prototyping.

http://locusresearch.com/blog/2014/05/05/fusion-evolution

Blog Articles

Fusion Evolution: http://locusresearch.com/blog/2014/05/05/fusion-evolution

New Zealand's 3D Printed Future.http://locusresearch.com/blog/2014/11/05/new-zealands-3d-printed-future

Summary

Mixing the digital and analogue methods speeds up development and provides unique advantagesIt increases/reduces Iterations in design cyclesDigital design, prototyping and manufacture are here to staySpeed of development may be limited by the IP that surrounds the key methods and approaches for printingIt is still materially limited and cannot simulate a lot of materials which means a hybrid approach is likely to remain in place for a while

Summary

Digital distribution and consumption is something that should be looked at closely.There is a huge amount of investment going in internationally which will lead to further developments.It warrants many companies (particularly plastics producers) have a strategy in place to both monitor technology and develop capability in the area.Use experimental projects to probe what is possible and understand how it might interface commercially.

Summary

There are many facets to the digital vs. analogue discussion:

Digital design delivery – entrenched, but still parts of the process that are analogue.Look at research tools, collaboration tools and approaches