The emergence of Ultimaker 3D printers is undoubtedly a solution to various problems in human life in the 21st century.
In this case, 3DMart's client received significant support from Ultimaker 3D printers during the 3D printing prototyping process.
Let's take a look at how their innovative idea won over the public on Kickstarter!
Let's uncover the story of Eclipse and 3DMart!
Native Union used the Ultimaker 3 3D printer to rapidly print components and mechanical structures for their latest device – the Eclipse. This innovative product addresses a common 21st-century problem – making messy, tangled USB charging cables a thing of the past.
Founded in 2009 by John Brunner and Igor Duc, Native Union creates tech accessories that enhance user experience through the highest quality materials. To bring products to market, rapid and cost-effective prototyping is essential – which is where Ultimaker comes in.
What is Eclipse?
Featuring prototyped components and mechanisms on an Ultimaker 3 printer, Eclipse is a 3-port USB hub designed to efficiently manage cables and simplify the charging process. It also offers fast charging capabilities, making it a convenient and sophisticated stylish design.
How does Eclipse work?
The ingenious design allows users to plug in three USB cables for charging at once. This design features a cable management system that prevents tangling and can store up to 24 feet of cable. How to start using this device? Simply plug your USB charging cables into the device, and then plug the Eclipse into an outlet~
Igor Duc, Co-founder and CEO of Native Union, stated: "We are still in the wired era. Although the device does not come with a wireless charging coil, they designed the Eclipse to provide optimal support for wireless charging docks."
Testing products through 3D printing technology
Igor said, "We test some internal components and mechanical structures through 3D printing technology. With 3D printers, we can quickly test the feasibility of new ideas." Through multiple trials, the Native Union team can precisely identify which designs succeed and which do not.
3D printing allows us to accelerate the process of detailed mechanical structure simulation and helps us make some difficult design decisions, thereby improving the final result.
Why Ultimaker?
The team chose Ultimaker for its speed and quality. They also found Ultimaker's software and hardware to be very user-friendly, and Ultimaker's materials perfectly matched their needs.
Native Union uses PLA/PVA and TPU/PLA combinations to print their prototypes because this material combination closely resembles the material properties of the final product. However, they are considering trying other printable materials in the future, so they are "very excited about advancements in printable material technology."
The company remains focused on developing high-end technical support and hopes to continually enhance people's interaction with their tech devices. Their Ultimaker 3 printer enables them to continue building and adjusting prototypes, giving them a deeper understanding of product design and supporting design decisions. "We are very pleased that, with quality and print management, Ultimaker 3D printers can now display a great deal of detail in models."
Driving innovation through collaboration
Ultimaker has a wide network of global partners, fully certified and trained by the Ultimaker headquarters team. This ensures that Ultimaker's global partners provide the highest level of service to all Ultimaker customers, anytime, anywhere.
For companies looking for manufacturing or prototyping solutions, like Native Union, having a local Ultimaker partner is very important. In Native Union's case, it was 3DMart in Hong Kong that helped Native Union take their innovative products to new heights in the fastest and simplest way. Thanks to 3DMart's customized 3D printing solutions, Native Union is not limited by design – which demonstrates how valuable true collaboration is!
Ultimaker's partners are there to help you at every corner and every stage – from determining the right product for your needs to repairs and troubleshooting.
Ultimaker loves Native Union's useful and minimalist accessories. You can check out all Native Union products on their website.
You are also welcome to contact us and share your 3D printing stories with us!
(Original source: https://ultimaker.com/en/stories/38783-rapid-prototyping-to-solve-21st-century-problems)