Protecting & enhancing the usability of this portable music making device with SLS 3D Printing

Job Information

Customer Info / Context

Teenage Engineering Pocket Operators are Ultra-portable groove boxes. Their unique style features an open PCB design that you can use without any enclosure. However, there is a large fanbase that still wants to protect their beat machines from damage.

Issue / Challenge

The PCB is designed to be used without any casing; the challenge with this design is to protect the unit and enhance the useability of the final product. Four parts of the PO must stay functional with the case. These four functionalities of the device we’re integral to our design process on this product. 

1. The grid of buttons must still be accessible.

2. The stand must flip out as expected.

3. The case must not silence the microphone. 

4. LED lights must be visible through the casing. 

What are the benefits of using additive manufacturing?

For our client, they chose to use SLS 3D printing for their online store. Some of the reasons being: 

• Reduced number of components through design freedom

• Manufacture parts on-demand

• Custom versions / limited edition runs

• Economical price for low numbers of units

Solution

With SLS 3D Printing, we can include a butterfly button design feature in the design. A button design like this means that we can have moving parts included in a single print. Utilising the flexibility of PA12 Nylon, the user experience of the buttons was not only functional but also improved.

With no labour in assembly, the final product is ready for shipping right after 3D printed manufacturing. 

Click here to read our materials guide to find out more about the materials we use to print at 3D People UK.

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