| Case Study: Struthers-Dunn |
|
Struthers-Dunn, a manufacturer of traffic signal cabinets, was contacted by Siemens Traffic in October 2009. They needed to replace the mercury Relay Switch in the cabinets and requested 50 samples by December 2009. The project required a fast turn-around and did not allow for traditional tooling as all cabinets had to be replaced by January 2010. |
| Project Requirements |
|
The goal of the project was to design a control circuit for the solid state relay that could deliver a correct timing sequence while meeting specific form, fit and fuction requirements that allowed the mercury displacement relay to be replaced easily by simply dropping the new relay into place. |
| Product Development Solution |
|
The Rapid Prototyping Center at SiMT produced 50 covers using additive manufacturing technology -- Stereolithography. The parts were made with Accura 25 which simulates polypropylene and they were produced on the new IPro SLA system. SiMT also used subtractive manufacturing technology -- Computerized Numerical Control -- to machine the metal parts, including the aluminum base. |
| Hybrid Parts |
|
Photo Above: Blue Cover manufactured with Stereolithography technology and painted blue. Aluminum Base machined on the CNC.
|
| Final Assembly |
|
Photo Above: Struthers-Dunn mercury relay replacement delivered the same performace as the mercury relay and met government requirements. The Drop-in replacement functionality provided easy installation and did not require drilling or mounting. The new product met the client's requirements and exceeded expectations. |
| About Struthers-Dunn |
 Established in 1923, Struthers-Dunn is one of the oldest and most respected relay manufacturers in the world. Since then our products continue to be recognized for their rugged or "overbuilt" design, high quality, and exceptional reliability. Struthers-Dunn relays are utilized in virtually every major industrial/commercial application in today's marketplace. |
| Contact Rapid Prototyping Center |
RPC's state-of-the-art fleet of RP systems produce durable, high-quality prototypes directly from CAD files within hours. Let us know how we can assist you!
Jonathan Wilke, Rapid Prototyping Center
Southeastern Instititue of Manufacturing and Technology
1951 Pisgah Road, Florence, SC 29502 Phone: (843) 413-2747 | Visit our website: www.simt.com
|
