When the BOSEbuild team began designing their next DIY product, BOSEbuild Headphones, they needed a smooth and fast prototyping process. With Ultimaker 3D printers in their office, they were able to design and print parts of the headphones, which was crucial for testing and development before mass production, and directly saved time and money through internal modifications.
Joey, Head of Sales and Marketing at BOSEbuild, has over 10 years of 3D printing experience and is very familiar with the convenience and reliability of the printing process. He knows Ultimaker printers very well and greatly values their reliability; they remain the first choice when a quick turnaround and low cost are needed. BOSEbuild is made up of a small team dedicated to seeking new opportunities for its parent company, BOSE, by creating durable, high-quality, and educational products. Following the successful development of the BOSEbuild Speaker Cube product, the team began designing and making a pair of DIY Bluetooth headphones, exploring the concepts of sound waves and microphones to inspire children to explore how speakers work and the science behind healthy headphone use.
. Prototyping for Rapid Testing
Joey stated that the challenge in creating these headphones was that his team had to prototype the assembly fixtures, simulate the practicality and acoustic coordination for the head, while also providing a wearable device for market research and target audience, and obtaining more usage reports. While Bose's rapid prototyping service was used to produce main parts, early versions of the BOSEbuild headphones arrived from the factory without earcup connections; this is where the Ultimaker 3D printer excels, allowing us to print the necessary test parts internally and make improvements.
Our Ultimaker can easily handle various colors, allowing everyone on the team to test the design and usability of the headphones.
"The only reason we were able to test the headphones so quickly and at such low cost was because the team had access to in-house Ultimaker printers, eliminating the need to spend three days and $30-$40 on outsourcing. Instead, it took only 3 hours and a few dollars to print new parts on the Ultimaker. By 3D printing on the Ultimaker, valuable time and money were saved, allowing the BOSEbuild team to focus on other necessary conditions for completing the design process," said Joey.
"Rapidly printing flexible, adaptable prototypes, product testing enables early developers to accomplish everything," said Darius Morb, BOSEbuild's Chief Engineer, who prints 10 or more originals per week for colleagues in engineering, marketing, and operations. "These fully functional, flexible yokes adapt to head movements and allow the applications team, firmware team, and acoustics team to complete necessary testing."
. Inspiring Curiosity
Between prototyping and educational projects, their Ultimaker printers can run all day during peak hours. In addition to prototyping, the BOSEbuild team also uses Ultimaker printers to create unique displays to teach children about magnetic fields. Plastic parts created on the Ultimaker serve as safety latches and magnet holders displayed during exhibitions, further expanding BOSEbuild's 3D printing applications.
BOSEbuild's purpose is to inspire curiosity, foster a learning environment of exploration and discovery, and design and manufacture high-quality, durable products that children will cherish as they grow. Whether they are creating original prototypes for an upcoming exhibition or 3D printing components, the BOSEbuild team knows they can rely on Ultimaker printers to get the job done.
3D printers can help you complete the design and testing process more quickly, with the most economical production costs and time; if you have a similar project underway, feel free to consult our professional, high-quality printing service. If you want to learn more about the machines, you can also refer to other articles on the website or schedule a visit.
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Original link: https://ultimaker.com/en/stories/52696-bosebuild-accelerating-design-and-testing-phases-with-3d-printed-parts