Scoreboard Panels

Custom Parts With ABS-Like Properties – Fast!

CLIENT:

Daktronics
INDUSTRY:

Sports
CAPABILITIES USED

STEP Additive Technology

Revolutionized NPI

43% Cost Savings

63% Time Savings

Accelerating Scoreboard Production

A customer came to Fathom with a part that required complex tooling for a racetrack-style scoreboard panel. Fathom recommended STEP technology, a groundbreaking 3DP technology that is able to print injection mold-like parts in days instead of weeks, with functional properties and surface finish similar to injection molded ABS.

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The Problem

Daktronics, a world leader in designing and manufacturing electronic scoreboards, programmable display systems and large-screen video displays, faced a challenge in designing a new LED panel for a project.
Due to the racetrack-style scoreboard panels in the corner sections, multiple individual injection molds with a high degree of tool automation were needed to meet its customer’s requirements. This would have delayed the project by several months.
The complex tooling required would have taken 8-16+ weeks overseas or 12-19 weeks+ domestic timeframe. It would have also required two lifters per clip feature, which would have been prone to breakage due to their size.
Tool validation would have required an additional 1-2 weeks.
If parts weren’t up to the customer’s specifications, the cycle would repeat, delaying production of the panels even more.

The Solution

Fathom performed a Design for Additive Manufacturing (DFAM) analysis, which was used to optimize the panel and clip designs. STEP technology was used to quickly produce the parts. This innovative 3D printing process enables the production of thermoplastic parts with physical characteristics and finish similar to injection molded parts within hours or days.

The Results

STEP technology enabled the Daktronics and Fathom teams to make quick design and print iterations. It also eliminated the need for costly tooling and the validation that goes with it.
For Daktronics, using STEP resulted in significant time and cost savings – and an attractive new method of product development for the company as it continues to look at ways to engage Fathom and STEP for its future projects.