3D Modeling for Manufacturing Case Study

A global manufacturing customer approached JN White® for assistance engineering a new, complex manufacturing membrane switch. The project required many iterations, 3D modeling and extensive engineering support. In the end, the virtual prototype produced by JN White® provided the customer assurance that they would receive exactly what they needed within appropriate tolerances.

Challenges

The customer approached JN White® for help in the production of a new, custom membrane switch. The switch had a number of complex requirements including tricolor LED’s for custom color; backlighting that would work for large icons and be visible during daylight; non-tactile feedback; as well as the incorporation of an NFC (near field communication) antenna.

How JN White® Helped

The customer sent their preliminary drawings and sketches to the engineering team at JN White®. The team worked closely with the customer using advanced 3D modeling to drive the engineering process. JN White® utilized their expertise with custom tricolor LED’s to insure the large buttons (icons) were lit appropriately for uniformity and brightness. The JN White® team also utilized silver conductive ink with dialectic spacer dots to accommodate the non-tactile feedback requirement.

Use of 3D modeling allowed the customer to envision the prototype virtually and view how it would work in application. These 3D tools are very effective for simulating different elements of the customer’s design during development and provide confidence that the final product will work as they’ve designed.

Results

The final virtual prototype produced by JN White® provided the customer assurance that they would receive exactly what they needed within appropriate tolerances. The final design met all requirements for the product including uniform lighting of a large icon with tricolor LED’s and the inclusion of an NFC (near field communication) antenna. The final product is now feasible and fully functional.

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