Rapid Prototype Blog

Archive for December, 2009

are there other alternative method to rapid prototyping

Background

Camera Specs

DSP

BF531

Sensor

1.3mp color

Software

Custom development

Malaria and other infectious diseases arerampant in developing countries, and medical facilities are unable to keep up with the growing need for immediate and accurate diagnostic testing. Diamed Rapid Tests were developed to reach this critical market providing quick on-site diagnosis to replace, or act as a preliminary step to, costly laboratory testing.

Problem

Although rapid malaria tests are 90% accurate, the results are difficult to read and there is a high instance of user error, resulting in misdiagnosis and improper treatment. A solution was needed to help field technicians properly diagnose patients and begin treatment on time.

Solution

Diamed, a leading provider of diagnostic products, sought to create a cost effective, handheld, easy to use, highly accurate and durable device to overcome the inherent inaccuracies of the rapid malaria test. They turned to Imaging Diagnostics to develop an embedded vision solution that can process test results using image analysis, thereby eliminating the potential for human error and preventing misdiagnosis.

In order to satisfy Diamed’s power and size constraints of a hand held portable device, Imaging Diagnostics needed to provide a camera that possessed the requisite imaging sensitivity along with the processing ability to enable quantitative determination of the level of infection.

With 15 years experience in machine building, specializing in embedded machine vision solutions for small mass produced devices, Imaging Diagnostics has developed the first line of Professional USB 2.0 cameras for high powered applications. By providing on-camera memory and processing, Professional USB 2.0 cameras overcome the traditional drawbacks of USB cameras, eliminating the need for expensive higher bandwidth connections.

By utilizing a professional USB 2.0 camera Imaging Diagnostics was able to maximize sensor performance, while collecting and processing all the necessary information in a compact and self-contained unit, and even added extra features such as advanced data management.

Working on a tight time and monetary budget, Imaging Diagnostics assembled a prototype based on their Camelot series, a line of professional USB 2.0 cameras with embedded Blackfin DSP’s. The prototype transmitted images to an independent PC as a proof of concept, accelerating development time considerably. Once the camera and associated software were proven effective, the system was sent for clinical tests and evaluation. The final product is a totally independent embedded system with integrated keypad and display.

The use of a smart camera in this device eliminated the need for any other type of PC, further reducing production costs. Additionally, the custom software developed specifically for the application ensured ease of use, and seamless integration into the final product.

Utilizing a professional USB 2.0 camera enabled fast implementation of the vision solution. Imaging Diagnostics delivered a fully working product in only six months, enabling Diamed to fill the demand for an accurate, easy to use and cost-effective testing device.

I am currently a Biomedical Engineering student. I LOVE MATH, science, some physics, and all analytical things. However, I cannot stand engineering.
Why? I don’t know. I don’t want to work for a big corporation all my life. I don’t want to work in a male dominated atmosphere (I had a job at a rapid prototyping center and the males were horrible to work with- i.e. “Oop, go do that with Sophie, she’s a girl.” “Why are females so ______?”
I always wanted to go into a field where I could help people who really need it (the underdogs)- originally I wanted to go to med school and work at a free clinic.
Money is NOT an issue.
I really want to work with kids who have special needs- give them the care and attention and good teaching they need.
But I am SO SCARED that I am going to miss calculus, and thermodynamics, etc, etc. How can I incorporate these things into my life without a career in them?

After defining which pages are going to be created and what they’ll contain, we start the wireframing process. This means start drawing the objects that will be present on the pages, without much attention to detail.

Lo-fi and hi-fi wireframes

A few years ago, web wireframes where mostly done with pen and paper, and later, with presentation software. These wireframes did not contain all rich details of interaction and graphics, but where meant to give an idea of what was going on. Most of them didn’t have colours, images or other detail. They’re called low fidelity wireframes, as they were just simple skeletons of the website.

Later, with the evolution of the market, there came a series of authoring tools that allowed the creation of wireframes that had the look and feel of the final version. This way, the clients, and even the less internet literate ones, could understand perfectly what was going on and what was the final result. These are called high fidelity wireframes, and sometimes, prototypes, because can have a level of simulation that looks almost like the final product.

Things to have in mind while drawing wireframes

Reading pattern: We’re used to read from right to left. People that read in other languages often read from left to right. It is important to understand the movement of the eyes, and that we tend to give more importance to what’s on the left, and top of the page. Fitts’s Law: It is easier to the eye to target a bigger object. Let’s try to increase the size of the things we want our users to see. Reassurance: It’s important to reassure the user is in the place he wants to be. Inform him that he’s in the right sector of the page (using breadcrumbs, colour or any other visual aid). Related information: If you’re designing a travel agency site, put the names of the cities in one size, the description text in other, but group them together. Don’t mix different content and wait for the users (or the search engine) to sort them. If you can simplify, always do it.

Think about the users, always

Don’t ever create a website the way you would like, but the way the users of it will like. Ask them, do focus groups, question and create polls. User’s feedback should always be welcome and heard.

Rapid injection molding is exactly what its name implies, but at a rate 10 times! It is difficult to imagine a service that one can fully operate in a mold or guarantee two days would bring, but in fact the case.
This is the case with rapid injection. Quickly, quickly! These forms made from high quality aluminum and can produce several thousand species.

Personally, I have several aluminum molds that produce parts of high quality work, even after several hundred thousand cycles. At first I was skeptical, but after a few years to make injection molded prototypes, it became routine.

 It works by automating as much as possible in making mold. For the model D-3 client and automate the design and production of the form will reduce the time a part of traditional methods. One of the central parts of the automated process is the shape of the plastic part. By working with experienced designers can use many features such as undercuts the disadvantages minimized or eliminated.

 What are the advantages of rapid injection molding?

One way to bridge the gap of time between the original and full production. If you have a mold for the work is now needed is the answer. The short production time for your product on the market to escape. It provides users with a working model of a design approach for a mature production tool.

What are the disadvantages of rapid injection molding?

The aluminum molding is the low production costs. It works best for simple action parts and minimal side effects disadvantages of denial. EDM is removed, some details may be sacrificed. The core of the whole cavity and high speed CNC-milled, the design has its limits.

Rapid injection is expensive Paradoxically, the cost is quite reasonable, but there is always a premium for quick recovery to pay. In general, the cost much lower than imaginable. This is due to automate the process point of this kind of form.

The early conclusion of injection molding is a part of the niche market of injection molding. It serves a niche market, but it is very important for the chime. It can get your share of plastic injection market a matter of days is very valuable for the right company. Furthermore, the ability to bridge the gap between prototyping and production of high bridge is a very useful tool for custom Injection molder. Randy Hough lives and works in the upper valley of Vermont. He has master plastic injection toolmakers traveled for 30 years, a youth pastor for many years and many studies in Europe. It has 8 children very much alive and who have learned more than anything else. He has a website on how to deal with family stress and a plastic injection molding download site.

You play your games, you have some fun. You think that you have already played the best that is out there. Then a newbie arrives and all that changes. There are superhero games in the stores but nothing comparable to Prototype PS3. This is so much better than the others you won’t believe it.

In the game you become Alex Mercer. He has some freaky crazy skills.  Through Alex you are what is known as the Prototype.  Otherwise known as a shapeshifter, whose abilities allow the inhaling of targets and their respective shapes. You can become all sorts of things and people.  This makes the game and play incredibly focused and strong.  Alex was a regular person with a normal life in New York City before he went through the transformation.  He spends his time trying to find that old life. Meanwhile he is being chased by those who want to end his current existence.

There are, what seem to be millions of power combinations as you go through and try to solve the mystery of who put you in this state and how to get out of it.  A game containing much violence, this game holds an M for Mature rating, not without merit, as the violence, blood and shooting are necessary in a game of this type, and it is done more to create a realistic scenario than for the shock value that some games strive for.

The graphics and images are so good that it becomes totally realistic, and you can really imagine being Alex.  There is a fascinating plot and it will make you forget about all else as you do your best to stay alive and take out your pursuer.  This game has all the bells and whistles of action, adventure, strategy, and fighting. It is an absolutely superior game. As long as you don’t mind the gore.

This game feels so fresh with all the new ideas in it.  It has to be one of the tip top games around.  Being able to play that you are this radical rough and tumble guy with all the slick plans and schemes is so awesome that you keep going back to the game.  It really is cool to feel like you are the biggest strongest thing in the world.  For some new gaming thrills this one wins.

Nashua, NH — Rapid Sheet Metal, Inc., specializing in rapid turnaround of sheet metal and stamped metal prototypes, has announced that it has added a plastic material, acrylic, to its list of available materials.  With a standard shipping lead-time of 5 business days or less, product designers can now be assured that flat acrylic prototypes are available in a week or less.

“Acrylic parts in the flat are used by product designers in a number of ways including bezels and face plates.  Acrylic is also a good substitute for G10 and can be used to prototype the footprint of a circuit board.  In addition, by combining the acrylic prototypes with our 2 day turn, in-house silk screening service, companies are now able to procure finished acrylic products with graphics in well under two weeks.” says James Jacobs, President of Rapid Sheet Metal.

Rapid Sheet Metal offers laser cut acrylic in thicknesses from .060” to .250” and stocks acrylic in thicknesses of .060”, .125” and .250” thicknesses.  Other thicknesses are available.

About Rapid Sheet Metal Inc.

Rapid Sheet Metal focuses strictly on providing sheet metal prototypes and time sensitive short run fabrications to new product developers and engineers. Typical quote response time is under 24 hours and most parts are shipped in one to two weeks.  A 48-hour fast expedite prototype sheet metal service is also available. Parts such as brackets, racks, housings, and enclosures are fabricated to data from SolidWorks, Pro/E, Inventor, KeyCreator/ Cadkey, SpaceClaim and other 3D CAD data sources from stainless steel, cold and hot rolled steel and aluminum material.

The benefits of attending a regional AmCon show are significant. The Grand Rapids, Michigan event will be held at DeVos Place on September 17-18, 2008.

According to Kati Olson, President, “We are excited to be returning to the Michigan market for this show in the fall of 2008. AmCon is the only show in Michigan specifically targeting OEM engineering and purchasing professionals who are looking for job shop and contract manufacturing services. Highly qualified prospects, often with blueprints in hand, will come from throughout Michigan, and northern Indiana.”

Top manufacturers from Michigan and Indiana sent engineers and buyers to the 2007 show. Below is just a sample of some of the firms that attended last year:

AAR Mobility Systems, Access Business Group, ADAC Automotive, Altocor, American Axle & Mfg., Amway, American Seating, Behr Industries Corp., Bosch Rexroth, Brunswick Bowling, Cascade Engineering, Caterpillar, Chrysler, Cummins Bridgeway, Dart Container, Delphi Automotive, Dematic, Denso Mfg. MI, Dover Corp., Eaton Corp.,  Flexfab LLC, Ford Motor Company, GE Aviation, GM Design PPO, General Motors, Gentex Corp., Gill Industries, Harbor Industries, Hart & Cooley, Haworth, Herman Miller, Hitachi Automotive, Holland Group, Howard Miller, Howmet, Johnson Controls, Johnson Technology, L-3 Communications, LuK USA LLC, Lacks Enterprises,  Magna Donnelly, Mahle Powertrain, Newmar Corp., ODL, Inc., Parker Aerospace, Parker Hannifin, Paulstra, CRC, Pridgeon & Clay, Royal Plastics, Shape Corp., Siemans OGS, Steelcase NA, Steelcase Wood, Stryker Instruments, Stryker Medical, Symmetry Medical, TAC Manufacturing, Trane, Unisys,  and Viking Corp.

Engineers and buyers attending an AmCon Contract Manufacturing Expo can find one or multiple sources to take a project from concept or prototype to finished product quickly and at competitive prices. OEMs can find sources for engineering, design, prototypes, forming, fabricating, machining, finishing, assembly and electronic manufacturing services all under one roof. Whether looking for one part or production runs, attendees find multiple sources from which to choose.  AmCon offers attendees a unique opportunity to investigate a variety of manufacturing options, both new and traditional, and find the best processes and materials for specific applications. Attendees view actual samples of products that have been produced for other OEMs in their industry and can get quotes on current projects and compare quality, pricing, and lead times from multiple vendors all in a few hours. Only AmCon shows provide a “hands on” one-on-one education. Since the exhibits are staffed with top management and technical personnel, attendees have an in-depth discussion regarding project design, materials and production issues. AmCon shows are free, including seminars on a variety of manufacturing processes and quality issues.   Fall 2008 AmCon shows include Grand Rapids, MI – Sept. 17-18; Fort Lauderdale, FL – Sept. 23-24; Minneapolis, MN – Oct. 7-8; Phoenix, AZ – Oct. 14-15; Houston, TX – Oct. 29-30; Greensboro, NC – Nov. 18-19. 

Register today to attend any of these shows at: www.AmConshows.com.

AmCon

www.amconshows.com

Kati Olson, President

news@amconshows.com

978-744-7680

Everyone nowadays seem to have an idea of a mashup , wants to create some service that joins two web services, an API, embed widgets or something like that. You can wireframe, test and simulate this using Justinmind Prototyper.

Since version 2.6, it allows you to put a snippet of HTML code into your project, just like it was a normal webpage. For example, the <object> code, to embed YouTube videos. With copy and paste, drag and drop, and you have your video inserted in a page.

A wireframe with embedded objects has a better look and feel, will be just as if it was the finished website,  generating users’ reactions closer to the real ones. You won’t have to explain the mechanics of a paper-based usability test, and will have much more data to base your decisions on.

Remote testing

You can embed analytics code, or recording software snippets, so it may allow you to track an OnDemand prototype, live, hosted on our servers, for online remote testing.

This way, users view your simulation using just their browsers, and you’ll be able to see all data related, just like a real website.

Visit our post about recording software and our post about usability testing to find the software you can embed on our code. (código para o próximo artigo)

Reducing size of wireframe files with server-hosted images

If you need to send your wireframe to other workers, or clients, but don’t want a big file, you can embed the images you have hosted in any server, just like a website or a newsletter, and so your file will be much smaller. This can also be used for images that you use very often, such as your logo. So you won’t have to search in your computer. You can have your mockup images in the cloud.

This could be a great resource for big software or portals projects, and also if you have several versions of the same content.

Enrich your project presentation

You no longer need to put a black box and say it’s a YouTube video. Just embed the video there, and if someone clicks, it’ll run. This works in all simulations, include Justinmind Viewer.

Have your mockups and wireframes finished as if they’re the final products. That’s the best way to test and have data you can really trust on.

If you want more information about embedding widgets on prototypes and hi-fi simulation, visit Justinmind’s blog or drop us a line on twitter.

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