A faster way to a better design.
One such product is Numi, a high-end intelligent toilet. Numi allows detailed user customization, with ambient lighting, Bluetooth capability, and a heated seat. The newest model, Numi 2.0, delivers voice activation with a built-in Amazon Alexa, personalized cleansing functionality, and exceptional water efficiency.
However, these features require extremely complex interior designs, and because there are dozens of embedded sensors and over 600 components, a tiny design change could mean a project overhaul. Before the smartest toilet in the world can be introduced to the market, it requires numerous design iterations to ensure quality and functionality. Kohler used to outsource CNC prototype production, but this was a lengthy, frustrating process that delayed product release. As an industry pioneer in innovation, Kohler wants its products to hit the market as fast as possible.
In an effort to expedite the prototyping process, Kohler turned to 3D printing. Mr. Lin Yunzhi, lab
manager at the Shanghai R&D center for new product development and testing, wanted a system that the lab could accommodate in their office. He settled on two Stratasys 3D printers to help with the team’s design challenges: the F900® and Objet500 Connex3™.