Omnicorp’s journey into the world of additive manufacturing began when their original product, the Retention Ring, inspired company owner Daniel Easterday, to delve into the world of phone accessories. Daniel’s vision was to design a low-profile and versatile phone accessory that would be a natural extension of their existing product line of retention devices. The Phone Ring, as the product would be called, would not only allow users to retain their phones securely but would also facilitate easy access from pockets or purses. Unlike the bulky and traditional phone stands, The Phone Ring, made from soft and flexible neoprene material, would have a minimalistic footprint on the back of the phone, and would not interfere with a phone’s wireless charging pad.
Daniel intially suggested using injection molding to fabricate his designs, but this process involved substantial upfront costs for creating molds and lacked the flexibility needed for design changes without incurring additional expenses. Daniel needed an affordable manufacturing solution that provided durability and flexibility, without compromising the quality of the product.
Stratasys Direct project engineers suggested two production-level additive manufacturing (AM) technologies as viable options for the project: Selective Absorption Fusion (SAF™) and Programmable Photopolymerization (P3™). While SAF provided a lower-cost option, P3 emerged as the clear winner for the Phone Ring.
Programmable Photopolymerization (P3) a cutting-edge additive manufacturing technology that produces small parts with features like injection molding. Ideal for small to medium-sized parts, this 3D printing technology produces highly detailed units at incredible speeds without the need for sanding, painting, or additional processing. Daniel would be able to launch his Phone Rings faster and respond to shifts in demand quickly using P3. Traditional injection molding, with its expensive and inflexible mold creation process, would not be able to compete. Daniel wholeheartedly agreed and decided to use P3 technology.
To achieve the requirements for a durable part, Stratasys Direct used Loctite 3843 to print 1000 phone units. The material’s impact resistance and durability ensured that the part could withstand potential falls and impacts with minimal risk of breakage or injury. The components were manufactured in days, accelerating Omnicorp’s product launch and timeline - saving the company weeks of lead time.
The partnership between Omnicorp and Stratasys Direct displays the power of additive manufacturing in the product development cycle. By using P3 technology and leveraging their expertise in 3D printing, Stratasys Direct played a pivotal role in helping Omnicorp bring its product to the market faster, while maintaining cost-effectiveness and flexibility. The partnership between Omnicorp and Stratasys Direct is proof of the potential additive manufacturing can make in product development and manufacturing.
